The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the establishment of Kogi State University, Kabba, as the 62nd state universities and the 265th universities in the country.
The Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, made this known in Abuja on Monday, when the State Governor, Yahaya Bello paid him a visit.
Rasheed said that the commission had on June 19, received a letter on the formal presentation of gazetted documents establishing the university.
“I write on behalf of the NUC to inform his excellency that with effect from June 26, 2023, Kogi State University, Kabba has been established as the 62nd state universities and 265th university in Nigeria.
“NUC pledges its support to the university as we urge you to take full advantage of the institution.
“By this, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) are being notified of the establishment of the university,” he said.
Bello, while responding, said that the university would be cited in the Kogi West Senatorial District for fairness, equity and justice.
He said that the university was established to satisfy the age-long desire of the Okun people of the state.
He said the state had set out modalities to ensure the university start on a good note, as resources had been set aside for its take-off.
“In Kogi State, education is our heritage and education is what we are proud of, both within the state, across the country and globally.
“When I came on board, we have only one university. We ran to the commission and we established the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara.
“But something is necessary because we have a senatorial district in Kogi West and because we want every part of the state to be carried along.
“We deemed it necessary to situate the university in Okun land for the sake of our brothers there.
“With over 600 professors in Okun land, we decided to establish the university immediately,” he said.
The governor said that the establishment of the university was not for politics as was being insinuated in some quarters but to address the educational desire of the people.
(NAN)
