Jigawa earmarks N3.5bn for varsity

The Jigawa State Government on Tuesday said it would spend N3.5bn on projects and other services at the State University in Kafin-Hausa.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof Haruna Wakili, told the News Agency of Nigeria in an interview in Dutse that the money had been provided for in the 2014 budget.

Wakili said most of the fund would be channelled to ongoing projects necessary for the smooth take-off of the new institution.

He recalled that N4bn was spent by the government on the institution in 2013 during which some major projects, including the three faculties run by the university, were completed.

Wakili disclosed that the National University Commission had approved the admission of the first set of 500 students for 2013/2014 academic session.

According to him, the state government has provided temporary accommodation for the academic staff.

The commissioner disclosed that more than 50 academic staff had been recruited, adding that more would be employed, including 200 non-teaching staff.

Wakili defended the establishment of the university, saying it was to expand access to tertiary education to students from the state. NAN