Chifimma Uche
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted operational licence to Imo state government to operate its fourth state university, the University of Innovation, Science and Technology, Omuma, Imo State
NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu presented the operational licence to the State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, in Abuja, on Monday.
Prof. Ribadu said the new university becomes 70th state university and 301 university in Nigeria, congratulating the state government for the feat.
He said: “The establishment of the University is a bold and strategic step that reflects strong commitment to empowering the youth, developing the workforce, and promoting knowledge-driven growth across Imo State.
“As we celebrate this achievement, I call on all stakeholders, including government officials, university administrators, staff and students, to work together to ensure that the institution flourishes and upholds the highest standards of academic integrity. It should also uphold good research, research excellence, and good governance.
“It is, indeed, our shared responsibility to ensure that this university becomes not just another addition to the list of universities, but a true centre of learning, character building, and societal transformation. The NUC will continue to provide the necessary guidance and support and to ensure that the university attains its full potential.
“We expect that it will adhere strictly to the guidelines to set forth for quality assurance, curriculum development, and overall management of academic programmes. I have no doubt that this university will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education and development in Nigeria.”
He stated that the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and other stakeholders would be notified about the new university so they could be accorded relevant attention.
The Imo governor, Hope Uzodimma, in his remarks, told NUC officials that the state enjoys a very wide interest of young men and women who desire to be properly educated so that at the end of the day, support the growth of the state economy and the politics itself.
“So, this recognition today is, for me, prayer answered, that our young men and women who have been struggling hard to have access to admission into a commendable and reputable university or tertiary institution has also won this prize.
“This University of Innovation, Science and Technology, in partnership with Imo Digital City already has a mentoring agreement with the University of Berkeley in California. The whole idea is to broaden the digital curriculum to create startups, young entrepreneurs who will not only go to school to be employed, but who will graduate and as they graduate, they are coming up to also create jobs and become employers of labor. So it is also a business school.”
