MacArthur Foundation has offered over $15 million support to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to enhance learning and research for national development.
Prof. Kabiru Bala, Vice-Chancellor of ABU, announced this at ABU’s Diamond Jubilee Public Lecture titled “The Challenges of Quality High Education in Africa”.
He acknowledged the long relationship between the foundation and ABU, stressing that beside TETFund, no individual, local or international organization has supported ABU like Mc Arthur Foundation.
He said the university community remained indebted to Dr Kole Shettima, Director of the foundation, for the support in ICT infrastructure, digitization and automation of libraries and establishment of the some centres.
Bala said the centers include the center for development communication; rural finance; veterinary public health and reproductive health among others.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that ABU was established in 1962 and the diamond jubilee celebration ought to have been celebrated in Oct./Nov. 2022 but ASUU strike could not allow the celebration hence the event now.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Occasion, Alhaji Munir Ja’afaru, urged the government to prioritize funding of tertiary education in Nigeria, adding that education was bedrock of nation development.
He added that it was collective responsibilities to ensure these tertiary institutions have the necessary resources to flourish.’
Ja’afaru urged the alumni of ABU to rally together and came to aid the institution adding that ABU has become a national asset that must be protected from potential collapse.
Dr Shettima said the foundation was very excited about its interventions at ABU Zaria.
He said part of the support for the institution include the installation of fibre optics and linking of the ABU Teaching Hospital, Shika to Samaru and Kongo campuses of the university.
He added that the foundation also supported 67 PhD and 87 Masters’ students among other interventions.
The director appealed to the government and other key stakeholders on the need to increase funding and transparency for high education sector in Nigeria.
He explained the transparency and accountability component was to ensure efficiency in service delivery in the sector and stem the `japa syndrome’.
He, therefore, advised the Alumni of Ahmadu Bello University to support its alma-mater towards augmenting government efforts to further salvage the institution from its numerous challenges.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated in view of new facts
