The Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina State, has unveiled plans to accommodate nearly 5,000 students at its main campus before the end of the year, following the earmarking of more than ₦1bn by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for hostel construction.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Khalil Othman, disclosed this on Thursday while presenting his administration’s scorecard at the university’s 14th Regular Congregational Meeting.
Othman said the funding would support efforts to address accommodation challenges and improve students’ living conditions as part of the institution’s ongoing infrastructure development.
The meeting, his first since assuming office in November 2025, provided an opportunity to brief staff on security, infrastructure, academic accreditation, welfare, transportation and student accommodation.
The Vice-Chancellor said he inherited several challenges, including unpaid contractors, poorly managed study centres, staff whose appointment letters had been issued without proper engagement, inadequate office and faculty facilities, and the underutilisation of the university’s main campus.
He also identified insecurity, vandalism of university property and difficulties associated with relocating academic activities to the main campus as some of the challenges confronting the institution.
However, he said his administration had taken steps to address the problems and create a conducive environment for teaching, learning and research.
According to him, security personnel have been deployed to the main campus, paving the way for the ongoing relocation of faculties.
He added that water, electricity and internet services had been restored to facilitate the effective use of the facilities.
On transportation, Othman said two buses were now conveying staff between Katsina and Dutsin-Ma, while free shuttle services had been introduced to transport staff and students from the temporary site to the main campus.
On academic development, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that more than 31 academic programmes had undergone accreditation processes since he assumed office, with 19 securing full accreditation.
He said the university would sustain efforts to improve academic standards and strengthen the quality of teaching and learning.
Othman also assured staff that their welfare and security would remain priorities, commending them for their resilience and commitment to their duties.
He, however, warned against indiscipline and misconduct within the university community.
“I will not tolerate indiscipline and wrongdoings by staff and students,” he said, adding that anyone found culpable would face appropriate consequences.
The Vice-Chancellor further announced plans to strengthen the university’s relationship with neighbouring communities through interventions in agriculture and education.
“We shall impact on their well-being and support them with the needed impetus to benefit from being host or neighbours of the university,” he said.
On the forthcoming Alan Waka/FUDMA International Conference on Literary Works scheduled for November 11, Othman disclosed that the Emirs of Katsina, Daura, Kano and Maradi in the Niger Republic had indicated interest in attending the event.
The meeting also featured questions, contributions and suggestions from members of staff on ways to address existing challenges and advance the university’s development.
The congregation meeting serves as a platform for accountability, engagement and assessment of the institution’s progress, challenges and priorities.
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