The Management of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, has reiterated the Institution’s resolve to expand its national and international partnerships towards advancing quality education, research and innovation.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman stated this while receiving a delegation from the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies, Minna, led by its Director, Dr. Diamond Preye-Nebechukwu, on a courtesy visit to strengthen an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two Institutions.
Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman said the University’s vision is to position IBB University among globally recognised Centres of excellence through strategic collaborations with reputable institutions across Nigeria and beyond.
He noted that the University already maintains productive partnerships with institutions in China, India and other countries, stressing that it remains open to new collaborations capable of advancing education, research and national development.
The Vice-Chancellor described former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), as one of the University’s greatest benefactors, acknowledging his immense contributions to the growth and development of IBB University.
He recalled that the elder statesman who serves as Chairman of the University’s Endowment Fund, played a pivotal role in the completion of the new Senate Building and has continued to support the Institution in various capacities.
Professor Sulaiman welcomed the proposed collaboration in the areas of postgraduate training, research, peace, security and development studies, noting that the existing Memorandum of Understanding should be reviewed and strengthened by technical committees from both Institutions.
He assured the delegation that IBB University possesses the academic expertise and human resources required to support the proposed programmes, particularly in Sociology and related disciplines, while emphasising the University’s commitment to digital learning, innovation and technology-driven academic engagements.
Earlier, the Director of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies, Dr. Diamond Preye-Nebechukwu, said the visit was aimed at consolidating the existing relationship between the Institute and IBB University.
She explained that the Institute, with the full support of its Founder, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, is committed to collaborating with institutions that will deepen peacebuilding, conflict resolution, research and capacity development across Nigeria.
Dr. Preye-Nebechukwu disclosed that the proposed partnership includes the establishment of a Postgraduate Diploma in Peace, Security and Development Studies, joint research projects, conferences, workshops and other academic programmes.
She noted that a draft curriculum had already been developed and expressed confidence that both Institutions would work together to refine the programme for mutual benefit, describing the collaboration as the beginning was of a long-term and impactful relationship.
In their separate remarks, other members of the Management warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed the University Management’s unwavering support for the proposed partnership.
They described Dr. Diamond Preye-Nebechukwu as a respected academic with whom many members of the University had previously worked, expressing confidence that the collaboration would yield significant academic and societal benefits.
The Management team further emphasised that collaboration remains one of the cardinal objectives of the present administration, noting that universities cannot thrive in isolation.
They expressed optimism that the partnership would enhance research, teaching, peacebuilding and sustainable development while strengthening the long-standing relationship between IBB University and General Abdulsalami Abubakar.