From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has commended the accreditation of 20 academic programmes at the Federal University of Science and Technology (FUST), Kabo, Kano State, describing the development as a significant milestone ahead of the institution’s maiden academic session.
Barau also urged the university’s Governing Council, management and staff to sustain the achievement by maintaining high standards of academic excellence.
The Deputy Senate President made the remarks on Thursday when the Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the Governing Council, Chief (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, led members of the council on a courtesy visit to him at the National Assembly in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ismail Mudashir, Laoye-Tomori informed Barau that the university had secured accreditation for 20 academic programmes ahead of the commencement of its first academic session.
She described the achievement as a major step towards positioning the institution for successful academic operations.
The former Deputy Governor of Osun State also praised Barau for his contributions to the establishment of the institution, particularly his role in transforming it from a polytechnic into a full-fledged university.
She recalled that Barau initiated the process in 2016 by sponsoring a bill for the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, which was subsequently upgraded to a university in 2025.
“Senator Barau started this journey in 2016 when he sponsored the bill for the establishment of a Federal Polytechnic in Kabo. He had a clear vision for the future of Nigerian youths, particularly those in Northern Nigeria.
“After successfully establishing the polytechnic, he again facilitated its upgrade to a university in 2025. Today, we have 20 outstanding courses accredited, including medical programmes,” she said.
Laoye-Tomori expressed appreciation to the senator on behalf of the Governing Council, management, staff and students for his contributions to the development of the institution.
In his response, Barau congratulated the Governing Council, management and staff for securing accreditation for the programmes within a relatively short period.
He urged the university authorities to build on the achievement and ensure that the institution delivers quality education that meets national and international academic standards.
The senator, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the legislation that facilitated the conversion of the former polytechnic into a university.
“I am delighted with the remarkable progress recorded by the Federal University of Science and Technology, Kabo, within such a short period. I commend the Governing Council, management and staff for this achievement and urge them to sustain the momentum by maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence.
“I remain committed to supporting the institution in every way possible because our greatest asset as a nation is our human resources, particularly the youth. We must ensure they have access to quality education and the necessary skills to drive national development,” Barau said.
The accreditation of the 20 programmes is expected to strengthen the university’s readiness to commence academic activities and expand access to science and technology-based education in Kano State and beyond.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
