NUC approves new university in Gov Alia’s Vandeikya

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted a provisional licence to the Benue State Government for the establishment of the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, to be located in Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area.

The Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, presented the licence on Wednesday to Benue’s Deputy Governor, Samuel Ode, who represented Governor Hyacinth Alia, a native of Vandeikya LGA, at the ceremony in Abuja.

With this development, the institution becomes the second state-owned university in Benue and brings the total number of state-owned universities in Nigeria to 68, and 299 universities in total across the country.

Prof. Ribadu stressed the need for adherence to quality assurance standards in the running of the new university, particularly in its core areas of agriculture, science, and technology. “We expect that it will strictly follow the guidelines for quality assurance, character development, and the overall management of academic programmes,” he said.

In his remarks, Deputy Governor Ode described the development as “a significant milestone in Benue’s quest for educational advancement,” adding that the state government would provide the necessary infrastructure and resources to ensure the university’s success.

He assured the NUC of Benue’s full commitment to the mandate, stating, “For a state like Benue with a deep passion for education, this recognition is a moment of pride.”