By Felix Khanoba
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the establishment of Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto.
Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, made this known while presenting a letter of recognition of the new university to Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State during a visit to the Commission on Monday in Abuja.
Rasheed said the new institution, which is the first university of education in the northern part of the country and fourth of its kind in the entire nation, would meet the education needs of the people.
While commending the governor for his passion for the development of the education sector, the NUC boss said a number of private universities would soon spring up in Sokoto State, adding that the Commission had already begun the process of approving their establishment.
Speaking further, Rasheed said the Shehu Shagari University of Education is now fully recognised as the 58 state university and 206 in the country having met all the requirements.
He said with the approval, the National Youth Service Corps, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) would accord the university necessary recognitions.
“With effect from Monday 21 March, 2022, the Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto, has been recognised as the 58 state-owned university and 206 university respectively in the Nigeria University System.
“This university is the first university of education in 19 northern states and Abuja….
“With the copy of this (recognition) letter, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been notified of the establishment of this university.”
Responding, Governor Tambuwal, who expressed delight over the approval, thanked NUC for the support extended to the existing Sokoto State University.
He said the new university, which is an upgrade of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was put in place to meet the serious human resource needs of the state in the area of education.
Tambuwal, who presented the law, academic brief, master plan and other documents of the university to NUC, said the institution would be different from others as it would churn out graduates that are self-reliant.
“It will be an entrepreneurial base. It is a special kind of university that will focus on functional and effective education,” Tambuwal said.
