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.

By Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hassan

Gombe State has recorded a major milestone in its quest to expand access to quality higher education with the formal receipt of the operational licence for Lincoln University Malaysia, Kumo Campus.

The licence, issued by the Federal Government through the National Universities Commission, positions Gombe as a pioneer of Nigeria’s Transnational Education framework, allowing global institutions to operate locally under regulated standards.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya received the approval in Gombe, marking the fulfilment of the partnership earlier entered into with Lincoln University and reaffirming the administration’s commitment to establishing world-class learning opportunities for young people.

The Governor described the development as a significant step in transforming an institution that had previously lacked direction, noting that the new university aligns with the state’s broader social and economic priorities.

Earlier speaking, the Founder and President of Lincoln University Malaysia, Professor Amiya Bhaumik, affirmed the institution’s commitment to building a world-class academic environment in Kumo.

He outlined a vision built on research, innovation, and industry collaboration, stressing that the university intends to contribute meaningfully to local development through agricultural technology, clean energy solutions, and applied science initiatives.

Under the arrangement, Lincoln University Kumo will begin with programmes in health sciences, management, and technology, integrating practical research and industry-driven training to prepare students for emerging global challenges.

The institution is also expected to advance research in renewable energy, agricultural technology, and innovation, areas considered critical to food security and sustainable development in Gombe State.

In recognition of his role in attracting international academic partners and strengthening the state’s education sector, Governor Inuwa Yahaya has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Lincoln University, to be formally conferred at the institution’s headquarters.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, who earlier received the licence on behalf of the state in Abuja, noted that the approval reflects national confidence in Gombe’s capacity to drive the new educational model.

Traditional rulers from Akko Local Government Area, led by the Lamido of Akko, expressed support for the university project, describing it as a long-standing aspiration of the community and a boost for local development.

With the operational licence now secured, attention shifts to the final stages of take-off, as Lincoln University Kumo prepares to open its doors to students and commence full academic operations.

The new institution is expected to expand access to higher education, attract investment, and strengthen Gombe’s position as an emerging hub for global learning and innovation.