President Bola Tinubu Urges Kano Governor to Resolve Bayero University Land Dispute

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir-Yusuf, to intervene in the ongoing land dispute between Bayero University Kano (BUK) and the neighboring Rimin Zakara community.

The President's plea came during BUK's 39th convocation ceremony, where he was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmed.

Tinubu emphasized the importance of securing the university's land, urging the governor to take swift action by issuing the institution's title deed. He acknowledged the university's persistent land encroachment issue and stressed the need for legal ownership of the institution's property.

Regarding infrastructure, the President acknowledged the lack of perimeter fencing at the university's New Campus and assured that the Federal Government had allocated funds for the project. He reaffirmed the administration's commitment to upgrading university infrastructure nationwide and supporting research and infrastructure improvements through the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Public Universities Intervention.

Tinubu also emphasized the importance of integrating research into teaching and learning to build a knowledge-driven society. He highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), launched in July 2024, to provide financial assistance for higher education, vocational training, and skills acquisition.

The President congratulated the 3,400 postgraduate students and 8,769 undergraduates who received their degrees during the convocation ceremony. He also praised Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Emir of Ilorin, on his appointment as Chancellor of Bayero University.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sagir Abbas commended the President for establishing NELFund and removing federal universities from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), restoring their autonomy in staff recruitment and payroll management. However, he expressed concerns over high electricity tariffs, stating that they consumed one-third of the university's income, posing financial challenges.