Nigeria releases N3.5bn for take-off of illegal university in Kogi

The new Federal University in Lokoja, Kogi State has witnessed its first matriculation.

The Federal Government has so far released N3.5 billion for the take-off of the Federal University, Lokoja, the Minister of Education, Rukayyatu Rufa’i, said on Monday in Lokoja.

Speaking at the first matriculation ceremony of the university, Ms. Rufai said that N1.5 billion was for the provision of facilities at the temporary campus, while N2 billion would go to the development of the permanent site.

She said the bill legalising the nine recently established federal universities would soon be signed into law by the president; implying that though billions have been released for the universities (including the one in Kogi), they are still illegal.

The minister said that approval had also been given for the physical master plan of the Kogi University.

Earlier, Kogi Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, said that the state is ready to take its rightful place in education with the ongoing restructuring in the sector.

He said that the restructuring programme was occasioned by years of neglect of the sector which had led to the screening and discovery of ghost teachers and schools.

Mr. Awoniyi urged the new university to complement the state, saying that government intends to use the new institution as a research centre for the transformation and development of the state.

In a welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Abdulmumuni Rafindadi, said the institution has zero tolerance for examination malpractice, cultism and other social vices.

A total of 443 students in three faculties were matriculated at the ceremony.

NAN