Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved ₦1 billion to fast-track the commencement of academic activities at the newly established Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama.
The governor made the announcement on Monday while receiving an inter-ministerial delegation at the Government House, Maiduguri. The delegation comprised officials from the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, the Budget Office, and the Office of the Head of Service.
The university was created following the signing of a bill sponsored by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, representing Borno Central, into law by President Bola Tinubu on May 22, 2025.
To support the institution’s immediate take-off, Zulum had earlier handed over the Umar Ibn Ibrahim Elkanemi College of Education, Science and Technology in Bama to the federal government.
“I want to announce the donation of ₦1 billion for the take-off of the university,” Zulum said. “I direct the Commissioner for Education to identify priority needs and channel the resources appropriately.”
The governor reaffirmed the state’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the new federal institution. “Although the institution belongs to the federal government, the services it will render are for the benefit of Borno people. For me, every federal tertiary institution belongs to Borno State,” he said.
Zulum also pledged to construct staff quarters and offer additional support.
He praised President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, and the Minister of Education for their roles in making the institution a reality.
Leader of the federal delegation and Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Hajiya Rakiya Gambo Iliyasu, expressed satisfaction with the infrastructure on ground. “What we saw was quite encouraging. The institution has everything it needs to take off,” she said, adding that the team would move ahead with staff verification.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Hon. Bukar Talba, Acting Chief of Staff Dr Babagana Malumbe, members of the State Executive Council, and Special Advisers.
