The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the establishment of the Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science, and Technology, located in Oferekpe.
This approval was formalised during a presentation of the recognition letter to Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, in Abuja on Thursday.
With this approval, the university becomes the 66th state university in Nigeria and the 278th university in the Nigerian University System.
The NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, confirmed that copies of the recognition letter would be sent to key bodies, 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.
While the university has been granted recognition, Ribadu emphasised that academic activities will not commence until a thorough resource verification process is completed. This verification will involve the Commission inspecting the university’s infrastructure, classrooms, library, and staffing levels. Only after this process will the NUC grant final approval for academic operations to begin.
Governor Nwifuru highlighted that the university, conceived in 2021, aims to offer better access to quality and affordable tertiary education in the state.
The establishment of the university is expected to address the gap in technical manpower and provide the state’s residents with an opportunity to pursue higher education.
Nwifuru assured that the state government would ensure sufficient funding for the university’s development, adding that strategic buildings such as the Senate building, faculty buildings, students’ hostels, staff quarters, and the university library are under construction, with several at various stages of completion.
The governor further mentioned that key personnel had been appointed to drive the institution’s growth, addressing the critical need for skilled staff. The state government is committed to meeting the necessary standards for the university’s launch.
The approval of the Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science, and Technology marks a significant step in enhancing access to higher education in the region. With ongoing infrastructure development and plans for resource verification, the university is poised to contribute to the region’s educational and economic advancement.
