Bayelsa Auditor-General Commends Growth of University of Africa, Toru-Orua

The Auditor-General of Bayelsa State, Mr. Torunana Tarimotimi, has commended the steady growth and development of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT), during a courtesy visit to the institution.

The visit, which took place on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, provided an opportunity for both parties to discuss the university's achievements, challenges, and future development plans.

Mr. Tarimotimi was received by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Ebobrah, alongside other principal officers of the university. He said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the institution while gaining first-hand insight into its operations and developmental needs.

Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Ebobrah expressed appreciation for the visit and commended the Office of the Auditor-General for its professional support in the processing and review of the university's financial statements.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that despite financial constraints, the university has made significant progress in recent years. According to him, the institution has established an additional faculty, introduced part-time academic programmes, commenced postgraduate programmes ranging from Postgraduate Diploma to PhD level, and expanded its demonstration school.

He also disclosed that the university recently secured approval for 13 new academic programmes, while noting that many of its developmental initiatives have been financed through limited internal resources.

Prof. Ebobrah highlighted several challenges facing the institution, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient hostel accommodation, transportation difficulties, rising energy costs, and the inability of many students to pay their tuition fees on time.

He further explained that the university's previous public-private partnership status had restricted its access to intervention funds, research grants, and other benefits available to public universities. However, he welcomed the amendment of the institution's enabling law, which officially established it as a fully public university owned by the Bayelsa State Government.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the legal amendment represents a major milestone that is expected to position the university to access the same opportunities and funding available to other public universities across Nigeria.

Responding, the Auditor-General congratulated the university on resolving the legal issues surrounding its ownership structure, describing the amendment of the enabling law as a significant achievement.

He acknowledged the challenges confronting tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State, noting that the growing number of government-owned institutions has increased pressure on available resources.

Mr. Tarimotimi commended the university's management for its resilience and encouraged continued engagement with the state government to advance the institution's development objectives.

Both parties agreed that the University of Africa, Toru-Orua remains a strategic investment in Bayelsa State's educational development, noting that the institution is expanding access to higher education while attracting students from different parts of the country.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by the Office of the Auditor-General and the university management to strengthen collaboration in promoting accountability, institutional growth, and improved service delivery.