Balami, Al-Ansar Foundation Seek Stronger Private University Partnerships in Nigeria

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The founder of Africa’s first private aeronautics university, Isaac David Balami, has called for deeper collaboration among private educational institutions to strengthen higher education and innovation across Nigeria and the African continent.

Mr. Balami made the call during a courtesy visit to the president and founder of the Al-Ansar Foundation, Dr. Mohammed Kyari Dikwa, at the organization’s corporate headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

The meeting brought together the two education advocates to discuss the future of private university education in Nigeria, with emphasis on sustainability, institutional partnerships, research development, innovation, and capacity building.

According to the participants, the discussions explored practical ways private institutions can complement government efforts in expanding access to quality tertiary education and producing graduates equipped to compete globally.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Balami emphasised the need for stronger alliances among private universities, particularly in specialised fields such as aviation, engineering, science, and technology.

He noted that collaboration among institutions would help drive research, innovation, and technical advancement needed for Africa’s development.

The aeronautics university founder also praised the humanitarian and educational interventions of the Al-Ansar Foundation under the leadership of Mr Dikwa.

In his remarks, Mr Dikwa reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to educational development and human capital advancement through strategic partnerships.

He said private universities have an important role in addressing gaps in Nigeria’s education sector by promoting research excellence, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership among young people.

Both parties also discussed future areas of cooperation, including academic exchange programs, professional development initiatives, technology transfers, entrepreneurial support, and international partnerships aimed at improving educational standards across Africa.

The visit concluded with the exchange of souvenirs and commemorative gifts, symbolising mutual respect and a shared commitment to future collaborations.

Observers say the engagement reflects growing efforts by private sector leaders to build stronger partnerships capable of transforming higher education and supporting long-term national development.

FUGA Begins Five-Year Strategic Planning Retreat, Targets Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Gashua, Professor Yaqub Ahmed Geidam, has reaffirmed the institution’s determination to embrace innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development as the university commenced a three-day retreat to develop its 2026–2031 strategic plan.

The retreat, involving major stakeholders from the university community, aims to produce a comprehensive blueprint to guide the institution’s academic, administrative, and infrastructural development over the next five years.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by Adamu Saleh, Head of Information and Public Relations of the university, and made available to journalists in Damaturu on Thursday.

Participants at the retreat include members of the university council, the management team, deans, directors, heads of departments, labour unions, students, and representatives of Flexisaf Edusoft Consult.

Speaking during the opening session, Professor Geidam described the exercise as a critical step toward shaping the future direction of the university.

According to him, the retreat represents a foundation for defining the institution’s priorities, strengthening its identity, and positioning it for greater relevance in Nigeria’s higher education sector.

The Vice-Chancellor explained that since assuming office on February 11, 2026, he had embarked on extensive consultations and assessments involving stakeholders, institutional structures, and available resources to better understand the university’s needs and opportunities.

He noted that initiating the strategic planning process within his first 100 days in office was intentional and aimed at providing a clear roadmap for sustainable progress.

Professor Geidam said the university occupies a strategic position in advancing access to quality education while also addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges affecting communities within the Sahel region.

He identified several priority areas expected to shape the new development framework, including the introduction of market-driven academic programmes such as biotechnology, cyber security, information technology, software engineering, entrepreneurship, and Islamic banking and finance.

The Vice-Chancellor also stressed the importance of expanding student enrolment in a structured manner supported by improved infrastructure and enhanced welfare services.

On digital transformation, he emphasised the university’s commitment to modern learning systems through blended learning approaches and the adoption of advanced learning management systems.

Environmental sustainability also featured prominently in his remarks, with Professor Geidam highlighting the institution’s FUGA Green Code initiative as a vital component of its long-term vision due to the university’s location within an ecologically vulnerable environment.

He further called for a results-orientated implementation framework backed by measurable performance indicators, monitoring systems, and accountability mechanisms to ensure effective execution of the strategic objectives.

Professor Geidam stressed the importance of inclusiveness in the planning process, maintaining that the success of the strategic plan would depend largely on how well it reflects the collective aspirations of stakeholders across the university community.

The retreat also attracted several prominent academics and experts, including J. D. Amin, Aliyu Suleiman Kantudu, Mohammed D. Madawaki, Mustapha Bala Abubakar, Halima Idrisa Gambo, Fatima Alfa Tahir, and Hamidu Usman.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism that the contributions of the participants and resource persons would help produce a practical, forward-looking, and globally competitive strategic document capable of transforming the university.

He urged all participants to contribute meaningfully and approach the assignment with commitment and a shared vision for the institution’s future.

At the conclusion of the retreat, the university is expected to unveil a consensus-driven strategic plan designed to position Federal University Gashua as a leading institution for academic excellence, innovation, and sustainability in Nigeria and beyond.

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.