The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted approval for the establishment of the Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology, located in Oferekpe.
During a presentation of the recognition letter to Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State on Thursday, NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, announced that this institution is now recognized as the 66th state university in Nigeria and the 278th within the Nigerian University System.
Prof. Ribadu indicated that a copy of the recognition letter would be sent to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
However, he emphasized that the university will only initiate its academic activities following a thorough resource verification process.
“We want to express our readiness to support this emerging university. It is important to clarify that the issuance of a recognition letter does not equate to the commencement of academic activities. A resource verification will still be required,” he stated. “The Commission will visit the university when it is prepared and will assess the infrastructure, classrooms, library, and staffing.”
Once the verification is complete, the Commission will provide approval for the university to commence academic operations.
Governor Nwifuru highlighted that the university was established in 2021 with the goal of enhancing access to higher education.
“The establishment of this university aims to increase access to quality and affordable tertiary education, particularly for state indigenes, and to provide opportunities for all to pursue higher education. This initiative is essential to meet the technological manpower needs of both the state and the nation, especially in this rapidly evolving tech-driven world,” he remarked.
The Governor also assured that adequate funding would be allocated to the university, stating, “We understand the importance of sufficient funding for the sustainability of such an institution. Under my administration, Ebonyi State will commit to ensuring that adequate budgetary provisions, both capital and recurrent, are made available consistently to support the academic growth, relevance, and quality assurance of this new institution.”
Regarding the university’s gradual development, he informed the Executive Secretary that the state government has already invested significantly in constructing several key buildings on the university campus in Oferekpe, Agbaja, Izzi LGA. Current construction projects include the Senate Building, Staff Quarters, Students’ Hostels, Faculty Buildings, and the University Library, all at various stages of completion.
In terms of the critical manpower necessary for the university’s development, the Governor announced, “I am pleased to inform you that the principal officers have been appointed by my government. Additionally, just last Saturday, I launched the Ebonyi State scholarship program, which is training approximately 1,000 students for Master’s and Doctorate degrees, both locally and internationally.”
He concluded by stating that these graduates will be integrated into various tertiary institutions across Ebonyi State to contribute to the development of human capital in the region.
