NWUS Breaks New Ground as NUC Grants Full Accreditation to Key Programmes

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Northwest University Sokoto has recorded a major academic milestone, securing full accreditation for most of its academic programmes following a comprehensive assessment by the National Universities Commission.

Vice-Chancellor,  Mukhtar Umar Bunza disclosed the development on Tuesday during a press briefing at the institution’s Senate Chambers, describing it as a defining moment in the university’s growth and commitment to quality education.

He attributed the success to the unwavering dedication of staff and students, alongside the strategic leadership of the Governing Council and the institution’s Founder and Pro-Chancellor, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the accreditation exercise conducted by the NUC in the last quarter of 2025 resulted in full five-year accreditation across several departments.

In the Computing and Science faculty, all evaluated programmes—Computer Science, Cyber Security, Information Technology, and Software Engineering—secured full accreditation, reinforcing the university’s growing reputation in technology-driven education.

Within the Social and Management Sciences, Accounting and Public Administration earned full accreditation status, while Business Administration received interim accreditation.

The Faculty of Education also recorded success, with Special Education and Library and Information Science programmes gaining full approval.

Similarly, in the General Social  Sciences, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology were all granted full accreditation status.

Prof. Bunza noted that the interim accreditation granted to the Business  Administration programme should not be seen as a setback but rather as a structured opportunity for improvement.

He explained that the status provides clear guidance on areas requiring enhancement ahead of the next review, adding that the faculty has already begun implementing necessary adjustments.

The vice-chancellor commended the leadership of the NUC under Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu for what he described as a transparent and supportive accreditation process.

He reaffirmed the university’s resolve to strengthen its academic infrastructure, improve teaching standards, and sustain a culture of excellence.

“With this achievement, we are steadily building a center of learning that not only meets national standards but also competes globally,” he said.

The university expects the accreditation success to boost its profile, attract more students, and enhance confidence in the quality of its academic offerings.

N2m Up for Grabs as TY Buratai Literary Initiative Rolls Out 2026 Activities

By Jamila Muhammad, Gombe

The Chairman of the TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI), Dr Elizabeth Ben-Iheanacho, has unveiled an expanded plan for the organisation’s 2026 programmes, announcing an increase in its headline literary prize to N2 million.

She made the disclosure on Wednesday during a press briefing at the City Library in Abuja, where she reaffirmed the initiative’s commitment to strengthening reading culture among young Nigerians through strategic educational and literary interventions.

Ben-Iheanacho noted that TYBLI, founded by Tukur Yusuf Buratai, continues to focus on literacy development, youth empowerment, and the advancement of Young Adult Literature (YAL) as a platform for building values, creativity, and critical thinking among teenagers.

According to her, the 2026 agenda is aimed at consolidating achievements recorded since the initiative’s launch in 2024, particularly in widening access to books and nurturing emerging literary talents.

“We are leveraging the successes of the past two years to expand our footprint and deepen our engagement with schools and literary communities nationwide,” she said.

She identified three major pillars driving TYBLI’s interventions: the introduction of mobile “Book Boxes” in secondary schools, recognition of pioneers in Young Adult Literature, and the Young Adult Literature Prize designed to discover and reward new voices.

So far, eight Book Boxes have been installed in schools across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, and Kaduna states, with plans underway to extend the programme to more schools in 2026.

The initiative has also honoured notable literary figures, including Cyprian Ekwensi in 2024 and Mohammed Sule in 2025, for their contributions to the development of youth literature in Nigeria.

Ben-Iheanacho disclosed that participation in the TYBLI literary prize has continued to grow, with entries increasing from 51 in 2024 to 101 in 2025, reflecting rising interest among young writers.

“As part of our efforts to further inspire creativity, we have increased the grand prize for the national winner to N2 million, up from N1.5 million last year,” she said.

She added that an anthology featuring the top entries from the 2024 edition has been published and is currently being distributed to tertiary institutions across the country to support teaching and research in literary studies.

Providing details of the 2026 schedule, she said entries for the Young Adult Literature Prize will open in May, while additional Book Boxes will be deployed in June. The longlist of zonal winners will be released in September, followed by the shortlist on October 1, with the final awards ceremony slated for October 31.

She thanked partners and stakeholders for their continued support, calling for sustained collaboration to advance the initiative’s goal of raising a new generation of readers and writers.

In recent years, TYBLI has continued to gain recognition as an emerging platform for youth-centred literary development, complementing broader national efforts to promote education and creative expression.

FUGA Records Milestone as Five Academic Staff Attain Charter Membership Status

By Abubakar Musa, Maiduguri

The Federal University Gashua (FUGA) has recorded a significant academic milestone, as five of its distinguished academic staff have been admitted as charter members of a prestigious professional body.

This remarkable achievement reflects the university’s growing reputation for academic excellence, commitment to professional development, and adherence to global standards in teaching and research.

Among those honoured are Professor Ishaku James Dantata of the Department of Agronomy; Dr. (Mrs.) Akinola Funmilola Aduke of the Department of Sociology; Mr. Mohammed Abu Ardo of the Department of Business Administration; and Mr. Mohammed Bello Shettima, also of the Department of Business Administration, along with one other academic staff member from the institution.

Their recognition as charter members underscores their outstanding contributions to their respective fields and highlights FUGA’s supportive academic environment, which encourages staff to attain professional distinction.

Members of the university community have described the development as a proud moment for the institution, noting that such accomplishments not only elevate the profiles of the beneficiaries but also enhance the visibility and credibility of the university at both national and international levels.

The university’s management, colleagues, and well-wishers have extended warm congratulations to the honourees, commending their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence.

This development further reinforces FUGA’s resolve to continue fostering academic growth and supporting staff in achieving professional recognition across diverse disciplines.