Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has approved ₦1 billion for the immediate take-off of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship in Bama town.
A statement from the Government House Press Unit in Maiduguri, said Zulum announced the donation on Monday while receiving an inter-ministerial delegation on an assessment visit.
The team included officials from the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, the Budget Office, and the Office of the Head of Service.
According to the statement, the institution was established after a bill sponsored by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan was signed into law by the President on May 22, 2025.
Governor Zulum had previously handed over the existing Umar Ibn Ibrahim Elkanemi College of Education, Science and Technology in Bama to the federal government to facilitate a quick start of academic activities.
“I want to announce the donation of ₦1 billion for the take off of the University,” Zulum stated. “I hereby direct the Commissioner for Education to facilitate the process and identify the immediate priority areas and gaps to channel the resources.
“The federal government announced the establishment of the university, but the state has to provide the enabling environment for the immediate take off of the institution.
“Although the institution belongs to the federal government, the services that would be rendered are for the good people of Borno State.
“For me, every federal institution, especially the tertiary institutions belong to Borno State government, ” Zulum said while highlighting his administration’s proactive role for the take off of the institution.
The governor also promised to construct staff quarters and provide additional support.
He commended President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, sponsor of the bill, Sen. Kaka Shehu Lawan, and minister of education for ensuring that the university becomes a reality.
The leader of the federal delegation, who is also the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Hajiya Rakiya Gambo Iliyasu, said that the team was impressed after inspecting the Bama facility.
“Your Excellency, the team went round the institution this morning and what we saw was quite encouraging. We can tell His Excellency that the institution has everything it needs to take off,” leader of the delegation said.
She confirmed that the institution is ready to begin operations and that the team would proceed with staff verification.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur; Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, SAN; Member representing Monguno, Marte and Nganzai federal constituency, Hon. Bukar Talba; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Malumbe; other members of the State Executive Council as well as Special Advisers.
