Education

BOSU to hold maiden convocation in January 2026

Published

2 months ago

September 23, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VC Professor Babagana Gutti

BOSU to hold maiden convocation in January 2026

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Vice Chancellor (VC)Borno State University, Professor Babagana Gutti has said that the maiden convocation of the University will come up in January 2026.

He said that the management is doing all it can to dot the t’s and the I’s of its academic calendar to ensure that the ceremony takes place first thing next year hopefully.

Prof Gutti regretted that he took over a main campus that was overwhelmed with myriads of immediate challenges which to him must be fixed before other pressing issues like convocation could be handled effectively.

Going philosophical, the VC posited that life is all about challenges so even when he wanted to hit the ground running, a year ago when appointed, those issues he was not expecting to harass his sensibilities were serving as a clog in the wheels of progress.

To him, meeting lots of these hitches was not the issue, but meeting those he expected and those he did not expect as an academic was quite intriguing and it actually subjected him to serious tests in the realm of administration as a new comer in the office.

Gutti said that funding was a major issue he met on ground as expected because previous administrations did not effectively put forward their challenges on the front burner for the government to regard them as primary for the campus to function.

Transportation of members of the University community

One of those problems he met on ground was transportation especially when one considers the fact that the main campus is located at Njimtilo almost 20km from the centre of the Borno state capital.

“Transportation was a major challenge for every one when i arrived. Imagine a situation in which in the morning, it was easy to get transportation but sadly it was not the same in the evening for members of the University community to commute.

“I met about ten of the campus buses broken down and I had no choice but to fix them. That was my first task, doing what I could to ensure that students had transportation to and from the main campus.

“The situation was so bad with the vehicles that I had to change all their tyres for safety purposes and gave them the basics needed to return the buses safely back to the road.

“We also got two extra buses from somewhere through the ministry of poverty alleviation and we are expecting more by the grace of God from the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

“As for the bus drivers, they are being retrained to cope with the challenges associated with the roads. The essence is to teach them to be careful. We don’t have the resources to fix the roads but our drivers must cope with the status of the roads. “

Commenting on the trailer crash that killed two of his students last year while going home in the campus bus, the VC noted that the Dangote company took responsibility of the bills of the late students and even those who were admitted by refunding the amount spent on the students in the hospital.

He revealed that the parents did not press further charges for their wards because they believed that “these issues in our clime are usually left to God” to adjudicate but the issues are being further looked into to avert further incidents in the future.

Centralization of Administrative activities in 3 buildings on campus

Professor Gutti posited that on assuming duty, the entire campus was crowded around the senate building to get things done which was not too good for the progress of the campus community.

” I discovered that most of the daily activities was centralized in two or three offices on campus and this was because most of the departments did not have overheads for such facilities on their own.

” On seeing this I had to create overheads for every department so they did not have to come here (VC’s office) just to photocopy. I bought printers and papers for all of them to take off with the new way of doing things.”

The VC noted that one year after, everyone now has his own office facility and the work of administration is going on very well without being over centralized.

Water Reticulation on campus

Water supply was a very important commodity for institutions with large populations like his as such the non availability of this product in every building and everywhere was a major challenge.

“Imagine when i turned the taps in my office, there was no water. That to me had to be fixed so I had to ensure that it was history.

“I actually repaired all the damaged bore holes and reticulation was done to all the buildings so that the three main boreholes can supply the campus effectively.

” i could have used our funds here to dig more but the topography of the University will not allow that to happen effectively.

“Due to the scarcity of water in most of the buildings all the sock aways were blocked and even filled. We had to repair all of them and made them functional.

On water issues with the female hostel, he said the only borehole that was working in the campus a year ago was the one by the student hostel.

“There was light and water then but whether it is drinkable or not is another thing entire. However, one year after assumption of duties, 100 percent of the main campus is completely reticulated now and we are happy.

” Also, out of the intervention from TET fund another extra borehole may be added to the ones we have in the campus soon”. Said the VC

While reeling out his achievements on more water especially with the take off of the faculty of medicine, the VC maintained that moves are on to create soft water out of the harshness of the water oozing out of the belly of Njimtilo.

He regretted that there were no laboratory for the mb bs program and five other programs in the medical college to kick start

“They should start seeing cadava right from part two and we have fixed the labs for them to have such a facility to work with. We spent a lot of money to resolve these issues.

“As a matter of fact, all the generators were fixed and we spent a lot of money to make progress on this because they had all broken down.” Said Gutti.

Solarization of the campus

Gutti regretted that massive vandalism went on in many of the offices before he hit the ground running so he had to fix most of the electricals all over again.

” in most of the blocks the vandals cut all the wires and took them away. I had no option but to fix them and in the process to maintain sanity on campus.

“I had to fix solar in the student hostels so that they now have 24 hours electricity supplies because it is essential for them to study.

“Students did not have foams to sleep so we had to buy them the double bunk mattresses to lie upon.”

On personnel, he went on: “I can tell you that, we are recruiting right now and i expect the figure to go up very soon.”

Regretted the proliferation of new universities when the ones on ground are yet to have the requisite numbers of teaching staff they desire.

“We believe that most of the universities today do not have the number of requisite profs.”

On the non academics on campus, the VC noted that they don’t have much challenges with them because most of them were transferred from Kashim Ibrahim College of Education maiduguri.

What next for the university ?

The VC hinted that he had about two to three faculties which he is yearning to establish before the end of his tenure and they are faculty of computing with departments like Robotics, Cyber security, AI, software engineering ICT and many others like artificial intelligence.

” Environmental studies where we will do Urban and Regional Planning Architecture, Building, survey ect.

“The third one is the College of Law which will offer different kinds of law courses in the faculty.” Concluded the VC

BOSU to hold maiden convocation in January 2026

Education

UNIMAID College of Medicine needs about 20 billion for complete overhaul for the future

Published

5 days ago

November 27, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Prof Mohammed Mele VC unimaid

UNIMAID College of Medicine needs about 20 billion for complete overhaul for the future

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Vice Chancellor University of Maiduguri (UNIMAD) Professor Mohammed Mele has said that his University will need not less than 20 billion naira to upgrade the facilities in the College of Medicine which boasts of the allied health science and Basic medical science departments.

He said that after 50 years of producing quality medical practitioners with such limited facilities in the College which were grossly inadequate to take care of more students, it was time to prepare proactively for the future which is already at their door steps.

Professor Mele noted that if the institution must continue to live to the high expectations of the North East of Nigeria and the entire Lake Chad region, there was a need for a massive overhaul and expansion of the facilities on ground to ensure that the institution meets up to expectations of its catchment area.

Prof Mele made these assertions recently during a pre convocation news conference held in the main campus of the institution where he announced that the University was one of the beneficiaries of 4 billion naira grant from TET Fund for the expansion of medical facilities aimed at increasing the enrollment into the highly sort out Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy departments.

The VC further noted that with the increase in the demand for education in the University, it was high time management plans ahead for the future years paving way for more intakes of students so that the catchment area in need for medical professionals will not suffer acute deficit.

” For now we take only about 150 students for the MBBS programme but we have seen that the current demand is far beyond that figure so this fund will assist us to expand the laboratories where our students train by getting more medical equipment for them to work with while acquiring quality education to take care of the deficit in the region.

” After correcting some of these lapses, it is our intention to double the intakes to about 100 percent so that at least 300 students can be trained for medicine at a time like wise pharmacy and other allied sciences” said Mele.

The VC hinted that the Federal Government has also allocated over N700 million for provision of hostels in the Medical College as well as more funds for the establishment of a Simulation Laboratory adding that these laudable interventions will further strengthen the University’s position as a Centre of Excellence in medical training.

Convocation and Honours

On Saturday’s 25th convocation, the VC further hinted that 20,164 graduates, which is the largest in the history of the institution will receive their certificates.

“These include: 66 PhDs1,020 Master’s Degrees 3,851 Postgraduate Diplomas 13,624 Bachelor’s Degrees 1,699 Diplomas.

“For the Bachelor’s degree, there are: 205 First Class Honours 3,114 Second Class Upper and 9,501 Second Class Lower.” Said the VC.

“We congratulate our graduates for their hard work, resilience and dedication.Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary)Our Golden Jubilee is a profound celebration of resilience, growth and unwavering purpose.

“From its humble beginnings with just two faculties, the University of Maiduguri has evolved into a vibrant institution comprising 17 faculties, a College of Medical Sciences, a Dynamic college of Postgraduate Studies and 12 specialised research centres.” he maintained

He posited that through years marked by insurgency, economic constraints and even a global pandemic, the University has stood firm as a steadfast symbol of courage, stability and intellectual fortitude for the entire Sahel region.

During this celebration, the VC said that the University will honour three exceptional Nigerians whose contributions to society are exemplary as well as appointment as Professors Emeriti some Professors whose mentorship and service have left an indelible legacy in this University.

University Endowment Fund

To secure the next fifty years and beyond, the VC said that the University has established the UNIMAID Endowment Fund to assist in the development of the campus and all it’s academic activities.

Mele revealed that the fund is expected to serve as an enduring vehicle to strengthen research, expand infrastructure, nurture innovation, support scholarships and ensure long-term financial sustainability.

“We therefore extend an earnest call to our alumni; partners, corporate organisations, philanthropists and all lovers of education to join hands with us in shaping the UNIMAID of the future.” Said Mele.

On recent achievements the VC noted that they have been involved in the renovation and upgrade of over 32 lecture theatres to meet up to the expectations of the next fifty years.

Others include: “Complete refurbishment of toilets and common rooms across 10 halls of residence. Ongoing phased upgrade of staff offices and faculty buildings.Improved street lighting, pavements, walkways and landscaping. Enhanced sanitation through a strengthened Directorate of Sanitation and Landscape. “

Five new middle-aquifer boreholes, approved and funded by the Borno State government, has also been sunk in the campus.

Other areas of achievements include the provision of staff housing, installation of laboratory equipment, scholarships and sponsorships for students and staff, solar-powered boreholes and direct financial assistance.

The State Government, through the Borno State Education trust Fund, also recently constructed and donated a two-storey academic complex comprising classrooms, laboratories, staff rooms and a library to the University Demonstration Secondary School.

“Their investments have significantly strengthened our research capacity, improved teaching and learning, enhanced community service, supported humanitarian initiatives and reinforced resilience programming across the institution.” Said Mele.

UNIMAID College of Medicine needs about 20 billion for complete overhaul for the future

Education

321 companies jostle for UBEC projects in Adamawa

Published

3 weeks ago

November 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

321 companies jostle for UBEC projects in Adamawa

No fewer than 321 companies have tendered their bids for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Matching Grant projects in Adamawa.

Dr Murtala Babayi, Executive Chairman Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB), disclosed this at the Pre-qualification Technical Bid Opening Ceremony in Yola.

According to him, the event underscored the state government’s commitment to due process, accountability and transparency.

Babayi, however, cautioned the contractors against conniving with any individual at the board to engage in fraudulent documentation.

“We are calling on all of you the biders; you should ensure that you did not follow any route that will involve you into trouble in the near future.

“You should also not try to compromise with our staff by bringing in papers that are not up-to-date. If at any time we discover this we will deal with any perpetrator,” he said.

The chairman listed the projects to include construction of one block of three classrooms with office and veranda, supply of school furniture, drilling of solar-powered boreholes and construction of perimeter fence.

He commended Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri for his timely release of funds and commitment to basic education as a right to every child.

In her remarks, Mrs Rahila Gyndi, the Board’s Director of Procurement, said the bid was in compliance with section 16 of the Procurement Act 2007.

She said the Act stipulated that only contractors with the requisite capacity, resources, and experience were eligible to participate in government procurement processes.

Gyndi assured that the board would soon come up with a list of successful bidders who would qualify for the next stage of the process.

Mr Philip Dawa, who spoke on behalf of the biders, appreciated the board for giving them the opportunity to submit their proposals for consideration.

He assured that successful companies would do a quality work in compliance with the projects’ deadline and specification.

Education

Adamawa, GPE open bid for 14 projects

Published

3 weeks ago

November 12, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Adamawa, GPE open bid for 14 projects

Adamawa Government with Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has opened a bid for 14 projects to upgrade Mega Science Technical School, Gulak to College of Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Studies (COTIES).

Speaking at the bid opening, in Yola, Hajiya Aisha Umar, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, said the government was committed to ensuring due process was followed when contracting projects.

“That’s why we are here today, to at least show the world that we are doing the right thing.

“I’m expecting that the right people will be awarded the contract; those that are here, and those that complied with the rules and regulations,” she said.

Umar said that 45 companies have currently bidded for 15 categories of the projects.

Umar assured that they would observe transparency in selecting those that would do the contract.

In his remarks, Mr Faruq Adamu, Procurement Officer, identified the 14 projects as the construction of electro-mechanical services and perimeter fencing of Hong and Lamurde Mega Science Schools.

The construction of four Block of 80-Room Hostels with Porter’s Lodge, Common Room and toilets each are among the projects.

Others are the Construction of one Block of 4-Bedroom Bungalow with One-Bedroom Boys’ Quarters, and one Block of 3-Bedroom semi-detached Bungalow for Rector and Deputy Residences in Gulak.

Adamu added that fencing of Hong and Lamurde as well as additional Electro-Mechanical Services were among the work to be done.

Responding on behalf of the contractors, Mr Adamu Umar, appreciated the state government for following due process and transparency.

He assured that, as professionals, they would abide by all the guidelines for a successful business

Adamawa, GPE open bid for 14 projects