The Niger government says it has earmarked N20 billion in its 2024 budget for the take-off of the state university of education.

Governor Umaru Bago disclosed this on Saturday in Minna while inaugurating the committee saddled with the responsibility for the take-off of the university.

The university would operate side-by-side with the state’s college of education in Minna.

“I have directed that N20 billion be included in the 2024 budget for the take-off of the Niger State University of Education,” said Mr Bago.

He urged the committee to do away with bureaucratic judgment in discharging its duties.

The governor gave the terms of reference of the committee to include the development of a transition programme for the full take-off of the university.

It is also to determine the financial and infrastructural requirements by the extant rules of the university laws and that of the National University Commission (NUC).

He mandated the committee to articulate project development implementations that would require community and private sector participation.

Mr Bago ordered the committee to determine new prospects for manpower requirements for the university and fill in the gap for the state college of education through the master plan, among others.

The governor also explained that the take-off of the University of Education would not prevent the College of Education (COE) Minna from running its programmes while operating under the university.

Mr Bago, who stressed his administration’s plans to make the state a hub of education, disclosed that proposals are also on for the establishment of the University of Agriculture, Mokwa, the University of Energy and Renewable Energy, Shiroro, and the University of Medicine in Suleja.

Also speaking, Mohammed Yahaya, the committee chairman and former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), appreciated the governor for finding them worthy to serve and promised to work diligently to ensure that the university becomes one of the best in the country.

(NAN)