From Rashidat Suleiman,Minna
Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has expressed great pride in the progress of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, nearly 20 years after its founding.
The Governor spoke through his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, during the commissioning of two major projects the Senate Building and the Faculty of Law Complex on Thursday he praised the Governing Council and Management for their exceptional leadership in establishing IBBU as a leading center of knowledge and innovation in Nigeria.
The new Faculty of Law Complex, described by Governor Bago as one of the largest in West Africa, features state oft he art facilities including over 100 furnished offices, lecture theatres, an e-library, and a modern Moot Court.
Governor Bago reaffirmed education as a top priority under his administration’s New Niger Agenda, highlighting significant achievements like the establishment of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Teaching Hospital, Abdulkadir Kure University in Minna, and the University of Agriculture and Climate Change in Mokwa. These initiatives aim to expand access to higher education, boost workforce development, and drive socio-economic growth throughout Niger State.
He emphasized that the Faculty of Law is more than just a physical structure; it represents a “factory for justice and leadership,” nurturing future lawyers, judges, and policymakers. Additionally, the new Senate Building will serve as the administrative core of the university, designed to improve governance, coordination, and transparency.
Governor Bago commended the contractors, engineers, and university community for their hard work and urged students and staff to make the most of the new resources while preserving them for future generations. He described the commissioning as a historic milestone for both IBB University and Niger State, demonstrating how vision, collaboration, and commitment can advance knowledge, justice, and service to humanity.
In his address, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, stated that the Board has in recent times embarked on commissioning numerous projects across tertiary institutions nationwide an indication of steady growth in the education sector. He commended the vision and unwavering commitment of the Niger State Government under Governor Umaru Bago for prioritizing education and urged the university to ensure the proper maintenance of the commissioned projects.
Masari further revealed that between 2017 and 2025, TETFund budgeted over ₦15 billion interventions at IBBU out of which ₦13 billion has been expended within the years under review, leaving a balance of ₦2 billion.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Ocheno, represented by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Arc. Babatunde Babajide, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to advancing quality infrastructure in tertiary institutions across the country. He expressed delight that the two projects, which were initiated in 2017, have now been successfully completed.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of IBB University, Professor Mohammed Hadi Suleiman, appreciated TETFund for its continuous interventions, particularly the completion of the two major projects. He also appealed for further support in providing massive student hostels, additional faculty buildings, and internal road networks to further open up the university community.
In his goodwill message, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of IBB University, Professor Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah, expressed appreciation to both the Federal and State Governments for their impactful interventions. He assured that the university would ensure the judicious utilization of all infrastructural and academic support received.
