Yobe Assembly Guarantees More Funds for State University's Growth

The Yobe State House of Assembly has committed to providing enhanced financial allocations and overall support to Yobe State University. This commitment extends to advocating for financial assistance from various development organizations. Speaker Chiroma Mashio made this announcement on Tuesday during a courtesy and introductory visit by Professor Muhammad Tahir, the university's Vice-Chancellor, who was accompanied by his management team.

Mashio stated that the legislative body plans to involve the university's leadership in the 2027 budget defence process. He assured that the Assembly would collaborate with the institution to tackle its financial and growth requirements. The Speaker was quoted saying, “We will invite you for the budget defence. In Sha Allah, after His Excellency presents the budget here in Yobe State, we will look into your problems and see that the university has adequate budgetary provision for you to work as expected.”

Congratulating Tahir on his assumption of office as the university's fifth substantive Vice-Chancellor, the Speaker highlighted the visit's opportune timing, especially as preparations for the 2027 budget are underway. Mashio also mentioned that Professor Tahir had previously held the position of Medical Director at the Police Hospital, Damaturu, prior to his current appointment.

Furthermore, Mashio promised the Assembly's assistance in helping the university secure funding and support from bodies like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and other development organizations. He explained that the Assembly intends to leverage various platforms, such as the Nigerian Speakers Conference, to foster dialogues with these agencies.

The Speaker additionally urged the university management to offer professional guidance to the state government regarding issues impacting primary and secondary education. He emphasized the connection between the caliber of students admitted into higher education and the quality of instruction received at foundational and secondary levels. Mashio remarked, “We are having problems from secondary to primary school in Yobe State. We want to know how you, as learned people with qualified professors and others, can advise us and advise the state government so that the level of our secondary and primary schools can be improved.”

Earlier in the meeting, Professor Tahir articulated that the purpose of their visit was to fortify the bond between the university and the legislative body. He characterized the lawmakers as not just the institution's 'landlords,' but also crucial partners and representatives of the populace.

Tahir disclosed that his administration commenced its duties in the fourth week of January 2026 and has since initiated various strategies aimed at re-establishing the university for academic distinction, fiscal responsibility, and enhanced societal contribution. He reiterated, “Since we assumed office, we have focused on repositioning the university for academic excellence, accountability and greater community impact.”

The Vice-Chancellor also revealed that the institution successfully administered both the first and second-semester examinations for the 2025/2026 academic year. Additionally, the accreditation procedures for Medical Laboratory Science and Radiography programs within the College of Medical Sciences have been finalized.

According to Professor Tahir, a total of 16 medical doctors have received sponsorship for postgraduate studies abroad. Seven of these scholars are currently pursuing their education at Integral University, Lucknow, India, while another six are slated to depart for Malaysia in the initial week of October 2026. He credited Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State for enabling this foreign training initiative, stating, “The foreign training intervention has been made possible through the support of the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni.”

Professor Tahir further shared that 32 academic staff members have been supported for postgraduate education within Nigeria. Moreover, 70 academic and non-academic personnel have benefited from internal postgraduate programs offered directly by the university. He quoted, “We have also sponsored 32 academic staff for postgraduate training within Nigeria, while 70 academic and non-academic staff have benefited from in-house postgraduate programmes at Yobe State University.”

Among other significant accomplishments, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted the official opening of the permanent facility for the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre. He noted that Governor Buni's backing was instrumental in both the construction and furnishing of this centre. Finally, Tahir announced the introduction of six new postgraduate courses during the 2025/2026 academic session, alongside the establishment of a brand new Faculty of Computing.