Governor Babagana Zulum has approved ₦1 billion for the immediate takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama.

Mr Zulum announced the approval on Tuesday while receiving an inter-ministerial delegation on an assessment visit to the Government House, Maiduguri.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the delegation comprised officials from the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission, Budget Office, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The university was established following the signing into law of a bill sponsored by Sen. Kaka Lawan on May 22.

Mr Zulum recalled that the state government had earlier handed over the Umar Ibn Ibrahim Elkanemi College of Education, Science, and Technology, Bama, to the Federal Government to expedite the commencement of academic activities.

“I want to announce the donation of ₦1 billion for the take-off of the university,” the governor said.

He directed the commissioner for education to facilitate the process and identify immediate priority areas and gaps to channel the resources.

Mr Zulum said that the state must provide the enabling environment for the federal institution to start smoothly, adding that the services to be rendered would largely benefit the people of Borno.

“Although the institution belongs to the federal government, the services that will be rendered are for the good people of Borno state. For me, every federal institution, especially the tertiary institutions, belongs to the Borno state government,” he said.

The governor also pledged to construct staff quarters and provide additional support to the new institution.

He commended President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Senator Kaka Lawan, and the education minister for ensuring the actualisation of the university.

(NAN)