By Mukhtar Sani Saulawa,Gombe

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has assessed the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) facilities and operations at North-Eastern University, Gombe, with the Commission verifying the university’s human, material and institutional readiness for effective implementation of the programme.

The assessment was conducted by officials from the NUC Directorate of Accreditation and Directorate of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship to evaluate the university’s SIWES structures, staffing, facilities, ICT infrastructure, student placement systems and financial administration.

Presenting the outcome of the exercise, the NUC Team Leader, Mr. Bashir Ibrahim Isa, said the team verified evidence of Senate approval, relevant NUC documentation, adequate staffing and facilities, as well as operational systems for student placement and monitoring.

Isa said the university’s SIWES Directorate has seven staff members and is headed by a qualified Professor of Plant Science. He also disclosed that the team verified evidence of partnerships with 242 industries for SIWES student placement, while students are monitored and supervised during their industrial attachments.

“We have gone round, we have checked all the available files, and here is the brief of our exercise. We are here to assess the human, material, and institutional readiness for the effectiveness of the SIWES Directorate.”

Responding to the assessment, the Founder and Pro-Chancellor of North-Eastern University, Dr. Sani Jauro, expressed satisfaction with the findings, saying they confirmed that the university was progressing in line with its vision.

“I have always said that this is a 21st-century university. A digital university. A university that does not compromise on anything. We are not a university that has come to make money. We are a university that has come to make a name, to make a difference in our society, to fertilize our environment, and to give an example of what a university should be so that others will copy from us. We are a flagship university.”

Jauro described SIWES as central to the university’s goal of producing professionally competent graduates who can connect classroom knowledge with practical experience. He also assured the NUC that the university would address the observations raised during the assessment and continue to comply with regulatory requirements.

«“The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme puts the students on the right trajectory of becoming the professionals that they should be after graduation, so that they can bring what they have learned in theory to practice and they can even stand on their feet.”»

The Pro-Chancellor said the university’s commitment to practical education extends beyond SIWES to entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, research and community development, noting that the institution provides practical training and support to people in surrounding communities.

He further highlighted the university’s Centre for African Medicinal Plants Research, where researchers work with traditional medicine practitioners to scientifically investigate medicinal plants and their potential applications.

The assessment, according to the university, provides an opportunity to consolidate existing structures while addressing the areas identified by the Commission as North-Eastern University continues to strengthen its academic, practical training and industry-engagement systems.

With verified partnerships involving 242 industries, the university says its SIWES programme remains an important part of its commitment to producing graduates equipped with practical skills and professional experience.

By Mukhtar Sani Saulawa ,Gombe

Northeastern University, Gombe, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) following a courtesy visit by the Gombe State NYSC Coordinator, Chinwe Nnenna Nwachuku, and her delegation to the institution.

Speaking during the visit, the Dalawan of Gombe Pro-Chancellor and Founder of Northeastern University, Sani Jauro, described the NYSC scheme as one of the most important national programmes in Nigeria, noting that it has played a significant role in promoting unity among Nigerians from different ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds.

Dr.Sani Jauro( Danlawan Of Gombe, Pro-Chancellor and Founder of North-Eastern University Gombe. 

Dr. Jauro expressed appreciation to the NYSC Coordinator for her support to the university, particularly for responding promptly to an earlier request to post a medical doctor to the institution, a request which he said was granted within a short period of time.

The Founder noted that Northeastern University is ready to deepen its collaboration with the NYSC, especially in the area of entrepreneurship development. According to him, the university operates a Directorate of Entrepreneurship where students are trained to acquire practical skills that will enable them to become self-reliant and create wealth for national development.

He explained that the proximity of the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Centre to the university presents an opportunity for both institutions to work together in empowering students and corps members through practical training and skills development.

Dr. Jauro further revealed that the university has a long tradition of retaining outstanding corps members who serve in its institutions. According to him, several corps members who demonstrated commitment and professionalism during their service year had been retained and employed by the institution.

He added that the university also supports the academic advancement of such young professionals by providing opportunities for them to pursue postgraduate studies, including master’s and doctoral degrees, with the aim of developing future academics who can rise to the rank of professors and contribute to national development.

The Founder also highlighted the university’s sports facilities, noting that Northeastern University possesses an Olympic-standard football field, a 400-meter athletics track, and facilities for various sporting activities including volleyball, basketball, badminton, table tennis, and other field events. He said the university is ready to make these facilities available for NYSC sporting activities and competitions.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Yusuph Amuda Yahaya, welcomed the NYSC delegation and emphasized the importance of the partnership as the institution prepares to graduate its first set of students. He noted that the collaboration would help guide final-year students through the NYSC mobilization process and ensure they participate successfully in the national service programme.

Responding, the NYSC State Coordinator, Chinwe Nnenna Nwachuku, commended the management of Northeastern University for its commitment to youth development and for providing opportunities for corps members to grow professionally. She assured the university that the NYSC would continue to deploy competent and dedicated corps members to serve in the institution while strengthening cooperation in areas such as skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and community development.

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.