By Our Correspondent

Gombe State University (GSU) has concluded plans to commence the construction of a modern library and a veterinary clinic at its newly established Faculty of Agriculture, located at Malamsidi, the headquarters of Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State.

Recall that the University, under the leadership of its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta, recently established the Faculty of Agriculture with a satellite campus at Malamsidi. The faculty is scheduled to commence academic activities in the 2025/2026 academic session, following approval by the Gombe State Government.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening manpower development in agriculture and allied disciplines, especially as Gombe State remains a predominantly agrarian state strategically located in the North-East sub-region of Nigeria.

To fast-track the development of the new faculty, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has officially handed over the project site to the University for the construction of the proposed modern library and veterinary clinic, facilities expected to enhance teaching, learning, research, and practical skills acquisition for students.

Speaking during the site handover ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta, expressed gratitude to the NEDC for legalising and handing over the plot of land for the project. He assured that the University would ensure optimal utilisation of the site and complete the projects within the shortest possible time.

Professor Yauta further stated that the facilities would be developed in line with the standards and criteria set by the National Universities Commission (NUC), noting that the administration remains committed to quality education and infrastructural development.

The Vice-Chancellor also reiterated the commitment of his administration, as well as that of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, to making the Faculty of Agriculture one of the best in the North-East region and beyond.

The handover ceremony, which took place at the faculty’s temporary campus located at the former Government Secondary School, Malamsidi, was led by Arc. Usman, an official of the NEDC. He was accompanied by officials from the Gombe State Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education.

The construction of the library and veterinary clinic is expected to significantly boost academic excellence, research output, and practical training for students of the Faculty of Agriculture.

By Mukhtar Sani Saulawa, Gombe.

The Pro-Chancellor and Founder of North-Eastern University, Gombe, Dr. Sani Jauro, has criticised the exclusion of private university students from the Nigerian Student Loan Programme introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the policy as discriminatory and unjust.

Dr. Jauro, speaking in an interview with journalists, said students of private universities are Nigerians whose parents pay taxes that fund the student loan scheme, yet are denied access to it solely because of the type of institution they attend.

“There is a wrong assumption that private universities exist solely for profit, and that is not the reality,” he said. “Government can support private universities in many ways without putting money in the pockets of owners. It can build access roads, provide water, equip libraries, grant access to online academic resources, and provide reliable internet services.”

He argued that public universities alone cannot absorb all qualified candidates seeking admission, making private universities an essential part of Nigeria’s higher education system. According to him, denying their students access to the federal student loan programme unfairly limits educational opportunities for many young Nigerians.

Dr. Jauro also pointed out what he described as a broader structural imbalance in education funding, noting that private universities pay education tax, which forms the core funding source of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), yet neither the institutions nor their students benefit from it.

“Why should private institutions be made to pay into a fund they cannot benefit from? That is like robbing Peter to pay Paul,” he stated.

According to him, the real objective of government policy should be to strengthen Nigeria’s entire education system rather than create divisions between public and private institutions.

“What matters is that Nigerian universities meet minimum standards so that Nigerian students receive quality education,” Dr. Jauro said. “If you starve private universities, you are starving Nigerian children studying there.”

He added that the exclusion of private institutions and their students from the federal student loan programme is contributing to the persistent challenges in the education sector. He urged the federal government to review the policy framework governing the scheme and adopt a more inclusive approach.

Dr. Jauro suggested that government could develop clear criteria to distinguish serious, quality-driven universities from purely profit-oriented ones, stressing that institutions that meet such standards should benefit from interventions, including access to low-interest loans.

“Universities should not be forced to borrow from commercial banks at 25 to 30 percent interest,” he said. “Access to intervention loans, possibly at one percent interest, would help strengthen institutions and improve learning outcomes.”

He called on the federal government to ensure that all Nigerian students, regardless of whether they attend public or private universities, have fair access to support that guarantees a minimum standard of education nationwide.

By Our Correspondent

The Lake Chad Peace & Development Initiative (LCPD), with the support of ActionAid Nigeria, has commissioned a new Library and Digital Literacy Center in Bayamari community, Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The facility, funded under ActionAid’s Local Rights Programme (LRP), aims to promote literacy, digital inclusion, and youth development in the region.

The commissioning ceremony witnessed the attendance of key stakeholders including the Chairman of Bursari LGA, the Education Secretary, traditional leaders, members of the Community Response Action Team, community representatives, and students.

In their separate remarks, community leaders commended LCPD and ActionAid Nigeria for their continued investment in education and digital empowerment, noting that the project would open new opportunities for learning and capacity building, especially for children and youth.

After a brief ceremony, guests were taken on an inspection tour of the facility, which features a library stocked with books and a digital literacy center equipped with computers and internet access. The center is expected to serve as a safe space for students and residents to enhance their reading culture, digital skills, and lifelong learning.

Speaking at the event, LCPD’s Programs Manager reiterated the organization’s commitment to improving access to education and learning in underserved communities, while thanking ActionAid Nigeria for its support and collaboration.

The Bayamari Library and Digital Literacy Center is expected to become a hub for educational growth, digital awareness, and community development in the area.