The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has declared tuition-free education for all 809 newly admitted students of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna (AKUM), for the 2024/2025 academic session.
Bago announced the university’s matriculation ceremony on Thursday, saying the initiative reflects his administration’s vision to make AKUM a model institution in Nigeria. He also announced that 2% of the state’s total investments would be allocated to an endowment fund for the university.
The governor said the move aims to strengthen the state’s education sector and promote sustainable growth in tertiary institutions. He assured that AKUM would not experience strikes since it operates as a state-owned private university.
Bago further revealed that the state had cancelled its plan to sponsor students abroad, redirecting those funds to develop local universities and employ foreign lecturers instead.
He also pledged ₦100,000 bursaries for each matriculating student and announced plans to build a staff and lecturer housing estate.
The university’s Pro-Chancellor, Prof Muhammad Yahaya-Kuta, and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mohammed Aliyu-Paiko, praised the governor’s commitment to education and innovation-driven development.
