The National Universities Commission (NUC) has given its stamp of approval for the establishment of Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology, Oferekpe.
This milestone was marked by the presentation of a recognition letter to Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State by Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, Executive Secretary of NUC.
With this approval, the university becomes the 66th state university in Nigeria and the 278th in the Nigerian University System.
As part of the next steps, a copy of the recognition letter will be forwarded to key stakeholders, including the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
However, the NUC has emphasized that academic activities will only commence after the necessary resource verification.
Prof. Ribadu explained that while the recognition letter is a significant step, it doesn’t automatically mean the university can start academic activities.
The NUC will conduct a resource verification visit to assess the university’s infrastructure, staffing, and other critical aspects before giving the green light for commencement.
Governor Nwifuru welcomed the development, noting that the university was established to increase access to quality and affordable tertiary education, particularly for Ebonyi State indigenes.
He assured that the state government is committed to providing adequate funding for the university’s sustainability and has already invested in constructing key buildings on the campus.
The governor also highlighted efforts to address the critical manpower needs of the university, including the appointment of a principal and the launch of a scholarship program to train 1000 students for Masters and Doctorate degrees.
These initiatives aim to contribute to the state’s human capital development and ensure the university’s academic growth and relevance.
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