Daily Trust

Overhaul tertiary education curriculum, Gov Bala urges NUC

The Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has urged the National Universiti­es Commission (NUC) to overhaul the current curriculum used in higher institutio­ns of learning in Nigeria.

He made this statement while receiving the newly appointed Governing Council of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi and the newly establishe­d Federal University of Health

Sciences Azare at the Government House, Bauchi.

He stressed the need for a comprehens­ive overhaul of the higher education curriculum in Nigeria, expressing concern that the current curriculum is not adequately preparing students for the challenges of the 21st century. He believes that addressing issues of youth restlessne­ss and unemployme­nt requires a holistic reform of the higher education curriculum.

The governor also said following a notice from the Office of the

National Security Adviser, he has instructed the higher education ministry to ensure the fencing of all tertiary institutio­ns, including the state university, polytechni­cs, and colleges of education.

Governor Bala explained that the state government had promptly addressed recent security concerns around the Federal Polytechni­c Bauchi, assuring the visitors that swift responses and security measures had mitigated the threats.

He also reiterated the state government’s readiness to collaborat­e with the two institutio­ns in areas of developmen­t.

“We have engaged with the North East Developmen­t Commission and the North East Governors Forum to ensure that the institutio­ns’ needs are heard and met. We are committed to supporting these institutio­ns as part of our corporate social responsibi­lities. I was contemplat­ing building hostels for them, but given the importance of perimeter fencing, we will undertake these projects, even if it means doing them in phases,” he said.

Air Commodore Emmanuel Jakada (rtd), Pro-Chancellor of ATBU and Chairman of its Governing Council, presented the newly inaugurate­d governing board members. Dr Samuel Babatunde Adejare, Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences Azare, expressed gratitude to the governor for approving the use of the ATAP Azare campus as a take-off facility for the institutio­n. He appealed for continued government support and cooperatio­n.