By FUNMILAYO ADEYEMI

The National Universities Commission (NUC), has approved the establishment of Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology, Oferekpe.

The Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, on Thursday, presented the letter of recognition to Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi in Abuja.

Ribadu said that the university was recognised as the 66th state university in the country and the 278th university in the Nigerian University System.

He said a copy of the letter of recognition would be forwarded to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

He added that the letter would also be sent to the National Youth Service Corps and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

The NUC boss, however, said that the university would commence academic activities after the necessary resource verification has been carried out.

He expressed the readiness of the Commission to support the young university, adding however, that giving a recognition letter was the same as permission to commence academic activities.

“We will still have to undertake what is called resource verification and the Commission will visit when the university is ready.

“The Commission need to look at the state of affairs, look at the infrastructure, look at the classrooms, look at the library, and look at the staffing.

“After that, the Commission will give the go-ahead for the commencement of academic activities as the 66th state university in the country, ” he said.

Responding, Nwifuru said that the establishment of the university was conceived in 2021, to increase access to quality and affordable tertiary education in the state.

This, he said, would afford every resident the opportunity to access tertiary education and in the long run, address the technical manpower gap in the state.

The governor assured of adequate funding of the university.

“On the gradual take-off of the university, the State Government has already injected funds towards the construction of some strategic buildings.

“As at today, structures like the Senate building, the staff quarters, the students’ hostels, the faculty buildings, and the university library among others, are at various stages of completion,” he said.

Speaking on the critical manpower needed to drive the developmental strides of the institution, Nwifuru said principal officers had since been appointed. (NAN)