By Awwal Umar Kontagora Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has declared tuition-free education for all 809 newly admitted students...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has declared tuition-free education for all 809 newly admitted students of the Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna (AKUM), for the 2024/2025 academic session.
Governor Bago, popularly known as the “Farmer Governor,” made the announcement during the university’s matriculation ceremony held on Tuesday in Minna. He also revealed plans to dedicate two percent of the state’s total investments as an endowment fund for the institution.
The governor explained that his administration is determined to make the university a model of academic excellence and sustainable growth. As part of this commitment, he announced the cancellation of the state’s plan to sponsor students abroad on foreign scholarships, saying the funds would instead be invested in strengthening local institutions.
“It is not wrong for a leader to make a statement and retract it. We had intended to send students abroad for scholarships, but today, I have cancelled that decision. I will rather invest the money here,” Governor Bago said.
He added that a housing estate for staff and lecturers would soon be constructed, while the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences is expected to commence academic activities in the next session. The governor also announced a ₦100,000 bursary for each matriculated student and urged them to be good ambassadors of their families and the state.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of AKUM, Prof. Mohammed Aliyu Paiko, congratulated the new students, describing their matriculation as the beginning of a transformative educational journey. He said the university is focused on equipping students with skills and innovative mindsets to become job creators rather than job seekers.
Prof. Paiko commended Governor Bago for his visionary “green economy” initiative, noting that AKUM is aligning its curriculum to produce graduates capable of driving sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, ICT, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy development.
The Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Yahaya Kuta, also praised the governor for prioritising education and youth development, describing him as “a visionary leader investing in the next generation.”
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