NUC Okays Confluence As Nigeria’s 50th State University

BY TEMI OHAKWE, ABUJA – The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved an operating licence for Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara in Kogi State.

Following the issuance of official take off documents, the university now becomes the 50th State University in the country.

Receiving the licence in Abuja on Tuesday, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, said the University would help address the nation’s unemployment problems

“Today, we have universities that exist in the country but there are no specialised ones. We have minerals resources, we have youths, women and a large population that seeks for greener pasture across the country.

“We will not need to export the huge mineral resources that exist in the state and Nigeria again. We are going to utilise our resources and we are going to produce students who will drive the economy in terms of knowledge.”

The governor further said adequate funds to drive the institution’s take-off have been put in place, stressing that funding would therefore not pose any challenge for the State government

“This is a specialised university. We conceived the idea and raised an Executive bill to the Kogi State House of Assembly, it was passed and we signed it into law”, Governor Bello said

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Rasheed, lauded Kogi state government for investing wisely towards changing its fortune by establishing the university.

He said it is important for the state to have a specialised university that focuses on courses that would k accelerate the country’s transition into a knowledge-based economy.

“Consequent upon receipt of your letter dated Nov.6, 2020, I write on behalf of NUC to inform you that with effect from Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, the Conference University of Science and Technology, Osara has been recognised as the 50th state university in the country.

“The NUC hereby lay it’s support to the university, we also enjoin your excellency and the kogi state government to take full advantage of the professional and technical advise that the commission is statutorily required to provide on the establishment, funding and operation of the university”, the NUC boss said.