Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, has declared tuition-free education for 809 newly admitted students of Abdulkadir Kure University Minna (AKUM) for the 2024/2025 academic session. The announcement was made during the matriculation ceremony of the new students held at the university in Minna.
Governor Bago, known for his agricultural-driven leadership style, said the state government has also allocated 2% of the total state investment as an endowment fund for the university. According to him, this initiative is part of efforts to make the institution a model for others in the country.
The farmer governor explained that Niger State is focusing on educational development to boost innovation and local capacity. He announced the cancellation of the previous plan to sponsor students abroad for foreign scholarships, noting that the funds would now be invested in improving facilities and programs within the state.
“It is not wrong for a leader to make a statement and retract the statement. We had a vision to take some students to foreign land on scholarship, but today, I have cancelled that decision. I will rather invest the money budgeted for the foreign scholarship here,” he said.
Governor Bago also revealed plans to build a housing estate for staff and lecturers of the university and announced that the Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences will commence operations from the next academic session. He congratulated the matriculated students and urged them to be good ambassadors of their families, promising each of them a bursary award of N100,000.
The Vice Chancellor of AKUM, Prof. Mohammed Aliyu Paiko, praised the gesture, describing it as a life-changing opportunity for the students. He encouraged the 809 new students to view their matriculation as the start of a transformative journey that would shape their future. Prof. Paiko emphasized that the university is committed to equipping students with the skills and innovative mindsets required to become job creators in today’s competitive economy.
He further commended Governor Bago’s green economy initiative, noting that the university is aligning with the policy to produce graduates who will drive sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, medical and environmental sciences, ICT, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy for long-term environmental stability.
The Pro Chancellor of AKUM, Prof. Muhammad Yahaya Kuta, described Governor Bago as a visionary leader who understands that education remains the foundation of development. He said the governor’s investment in the younger generation through education and the knowledge industry reflects his commitment to building a prosperous Niger State.