Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has urged the Federal Government to reconsider merging Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) with the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA).
He highlighted the existing gap in Western education exacerbated by a decade of Boko Haram devastation in Borno and neighboring states.
The Orosanye Committee report, adopted by the federal government, aims to cut costs by merging or scrapping institutions with duplicating functions.
Governor Zulum emphasized that scrapping the university would be seen as an achievement for Boko Haram insurgents.
“Therefore, we appeal to Mr President to look into this issue so that the Army University Biu would remain a university.
“If this is not possible, maybe they don’t want to create another army university. We appeal to the President to allow the Federal Ministry of Education to take over the Army University to become a conventional university. This is also something we shall plead with the FG.
“If it’s possible, they should allow it as an Army university because of the importance of education in this part of the country, where Boko Haram is saying that education is forbidden. And I think that by allowing this Army university to be scrapped, they might have achieved one or two of their objectives,” he said.
Governor Zulum emphasized the significance of Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) in addressing the educational crisis in Borno State, which has persisted for over a decade due to the Boko Haram insurgency. He highlighted the importance of the university not only for Borno but also for neighboring states.
While acknowledging the federal government’s quest to reposition the system in line with current realities, the governor emphasized the substantial number of students absorbed by NAUB, urging careful consideration of this aspect in any decision regarding the merger with the Nigerian Defense Academy.
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