Umar Bago: We’ll create 10 specialised varsities in Niger state by 2027

Umar Bago, Niger state governor, says his administration will establish 10 state-owned universities by 2027.

The governor, while recently receiving the development group Think Lab, said this will guarantee empowerment and job creation.

Bago, AIT reports, stated that his administration is committed to giving education in Niger state a facelift and prioritising indigenes.

He said the target is to achieve 10 state-owned universities across different disciplines in Niger by the year 2027.

“I’m very ambitious to have, between now and 2027, ten state-owned universities,” the governor said.

“Niger state has the Abdulkadir Kure University ongoing, the University of Agriculture in Mokwa, the University of Technology in Zungeru, and also another university of health sciences in Suleja.

“These will be the four new universities that are coming on board. And others will follow soon.”

At the meeting, Bago said Think Lab is sponsoring 10,000 students from public secondary schools in Niger state through their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and their Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) for the year 2024.

He said the development group is also giving scholarships to 1530 deserving students to acquire tertiary education.

“It will go down well in history that, as a CSR and within your six months in the state, you have been able to support 10,000 students for JAMB, NECO, and WAEC in 2024 and also given scholarships to 1530 students to tertiary institutions,” the governor said.

Bargo urged more companies to deliver on their corporate social responsibilities towards bringing about progress in education.

Said Kori, the chairman of Think Lab, said his group is committed to sustainable growth and innovation in alignment with the governor’s 2027 agenda.

He said the group has identified the best five final-year students from among Niger state’s 306 public secondary schools to be given priority focus.

“This will ensure that the most deserving and talented individuals have an opportunity to further their education and pursue their goals,” he added.