The Vice-Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, has expressed deep appreciation to the Niger State Contributory Health Agency (NICARE) for visiting the institution to condole with management over recent losses suffered.

Professor Sulaiman noted that true friendship is tested during times of grief, adding that NICARE’s gesture has reinforced its standing as a valued partner to the University.

“You are the only organization that has come physically to share in our grief. We are truly grateful and look forward to strengthening our partnership for the benefit of staff and students,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor acknowledged that the University recently experienced an unfortunate incident which led to the temporary suspension of academic activities. He stressed that such occurrences are not peculiar to IBBUL but are common in higher institutions, particularly in developing nations where diverse student backgrounds converge.

“We have put the incident behind us, resumed full academic activities, and pray this will be the last of such in the foreseeable future,” he added.

Professor Sulaiman also mourned the passing of the University’s Pro-Chancellor’s wife, describing her as a humble and accommodating figure who was loved by her family and community.

He prayed for the repose of her soul and those of other departed members of the University.

In his remarks, NICARE’s Director of Operations, Pharmacist Attahiru Shehu Malagi, said the delegation was sent by the Executive Secretary of the Niger State Contributory Health Agency to personally convey condolences and reaffirm solidarity with the University.

He explained that the visit was deliberately delayed to allow tensions to settle following the recent campus unrest and closure.

“When the incident happened, the environment was tense and potentially unsafe for a condolence visit. However, we felt it was important to be here once the situation improved, to show that NICARE is a partner in both good and difficult times,” he stated.

Pharmacist Attahiru stressed that the Agency’s partnership with IBBUL extends beyond providing healthcare services to students and staff, to fostering a sense of community support.

“In life, loss is inevitable, but so is the duty to stand by one another. We pray that Allah will forgive the departed, comfort their families, and give the University the resilience to continue its academic mission,” he added.

He also reaffirmed NICARE’s commitment to working closely with the University’s Third-Party Administrator (TPA) to ensure quality and accessible healthcare for all students and staff, saying the collaboration would be further strengthened in the coming months.

In his closing remarks, the Registrar and Secretary to the University Council, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, expressed profound appreciation for the visit, noting that NICARE was the first partner to physically come to Lapai to condole with the University.

“This is not just a routine courtesy call; it is a true demonstration of empathy and partnership. You came all the way from your base to be with us during a painful period, and that means a lot to the Management, staff, and students of IBBUL,” he said.

Alhaji Kusherki urged the NICARE delegation to extend the University’s gratitude to the agency’s Executive Secretary and reaffirmed the Institution’s commitment to maintaining a strong working relationship with the health agency.

“We value this partnership, and today’s visit has strengthened it even further. We wish you a safe journey back and look forward to more fruitful engagements,” he concluded.

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai and El-Amin University, Minna, have pledged to deepen academic collaboration aimed at boosting manpower development, research capacity, and shared use of facilities, especially in the health sciences.

Speaking while receiving a delegation from El-Amin University, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, expressed the University’s readiness to offer support, noting that both institutions share historical and developmental ties.

“I want to assure you that our anatomy and physiology laboratories in the College of Health Sciences are among the best I have seen. We have expanded our cadaver room, improved waste disposal systems, and upgraded our histology laboratory with high-quality microscopes and teaching materials,” he said.

He encouraged El-Amin University’s academic staff to visit IBBU ahead of upcoming accreditation exercises to familiarize themselves with the facilities, adding that practical teaching manuals would be made available to support their training.

Earlier, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of El-Amin University, Dr. Emmanuel Zwanbin, described the visit as a step toward formalizing cooperation between the two institutions.
“We may be a young university, but we have innovative ideas that we would like you to help translate. We seek opportunities for collaborative research, joint conferences, and access to your anatomy and physiology labs as part of our preparation for NUC accreditation,” he stated.

Prof. Zwanbin noted that El-Amin University currently runs 14 programmes, with its law Faculty as the flagship, and plans to commence Nursing and Medical Science programmes later in the year.

Speaking separately, other members of the University Management recalled that collaboration between both institutions had already begun informally through staff exchanges and consultancy roles.

The Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, in his vote of thanks, emphasized the mutual benefits of inter-university cooperation and assured El-Amin University of continued partnership in academic and research endeavours.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to building a lasting relationship that will enhance the quality of education and service delivery to their respective communities.

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un

The Council, Management, Senate, Staff and Students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai announce, with deep sorrow, the death of Hajiya Aisha Sheikh Abdullah , after a brief illness on Tuesday, 5th August, 2025.

Hajiya Aisha was, until her death wife of Professor Ahmed Sheikh Abdullah (Magajin Garin Nupe), the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.

She was a devoted housewife who contributed immensely to the growth and development of her her immediate family and her community.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman has condoled the family on behalf of the University community and prayed Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased and grant her Aljannah Firdausi.

He urged the family to take solace in the fact that it is the Almighty Allah who gives and who takes.

The deceased will be buried in Zaria according to Islamic rites.

May Allah, the Almighty give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Signed:
Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki

A delegation from the House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Other Services has paid an oversight visit to Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, as part of its nationwide technical assessment of TETFund-supported projects between 2021 and 2024.

Leading the team was Martha Chioma Mbalisi JP, Clerk of the House Committee, who explained that the visit was part of a broader mandate by the National Assembly to evaluate the implementation, progress, and challenges of TETFund interventions in tertiary institutions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

“Our focus is on completed, ongoing, and flagged projects and we are particularly interested in understanding any difficulties institutions may face in accessing or executing TETFund projects. One project at your University was listed as distressed, but your Desk Officer has clarified that it is still ongoing. We intend to inspect it physically to assess the level of completion and identify any gaps,” Mbailisi said.

She added that the visit, which will span several days in Niger State, would culminate in a detailed report to the Committee, with the aim of recommending necessary legislative or administrative interventions.

Mbailisi conveyed greetings from the Committee Chairperson and appreciated the University for its preparedness and cooperation. noting that the delegation included a consultant who would help collate findings for onward presentation.

Welcoming the delegation, Vice Chancellor Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Mohammed Aliyu Bello, expressed gratitude for the visit and reiterated the University’s commitment to transparency and growth.

“We acknowledge that some of our checkpoint related projects along access roads are still ongoing. While we hoped to host the full technical committee. We understand the urgency of your assignment and are pleased to work with your delegation,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the University’s logistical and infrastructural challenges particularly in student accommodation.

“Out of our student population of over 19,000, fewer than 2,000 live on campus. This forces the majority into expensive and often unsafe off-campus housing. We are appealing for more TETFund support in hostel development to reduce the current burden on students and parents. On-campus accommodation would significantly improve safety and affordability,” he maintained.

Professor Hadi Sulaiman also noted that the visit coincided with the first day of resumption after over a month closure, following students protest after the loss of a student and a temporary shutdown ordered by the State Government.

In his remarks, Registrar Alhaji Idris Sale Kusherki Represented by Establishment Secretary, Mr. Sunday Gana, stated that IBB University remains one of the fastest-growing state universities in the country, with a vision to expand access to quality tertiary education in the North-Central region.

He reaffirmed the institution’s appreciation for the committee’s oversight role and partnership in advancing quality education.

As Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, prepares for the full resumption of second semester academic activities, the Institution is set to unveil a new phase in its entrepreneurship drive with the immediate launch of its university run bakery, confectionery, and sachet and bottled water production Units at the Centre for Entrepreneurship Innovation and Development (CEID).

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, announced this while addressing a delegation from GIZ COPA at the University.

He emphasized the Institution’s readiness to integrate practical skill acquisition into the campus experience.

According to the Vice Chancellor, the initiative is part of a broader intervention by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), aimed at promoting entrepreneurship education and fostering economic self-reliance among Nigerian university students.

“We are pleased to announce that the University Bakery and Water production projects are now ready to commence operations. These facilities are not just business ventures but learning hubs that will equip our students with hands-on skills in food processing, packaging, branding, and business management,” he said.

He added that the development aligns with IBBUL’s long term strategy to reposition academic training with practical and entrepreneurial relevance. The new Units will also serve as platforms for internships, industrial training, and research for students in related disciplines.

He then congratulated the Centre for Entrepreneurship Innovation and Development (CEID) for the milestone achievement.

The Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Innovation and Development, Professor Idris Ndagi, commended the Vice Chancellor for his visionary leadership, describing the new ventures as a “giant step forward” in making IBBUL a model for enterprise-driven education.

“These are not just academic add-ons. They are deliberate, strategic components of the University’s mission to prepare graduates for the real world, ” he noted.

The new production Units are also expected to generate internal revenue for the University while creating temporary employment opportunities for skilled students and staff.

With the academic calendar set to resume fully in the coming weeks, the university community and surrounding towns are already expressing optimism that the renewed entrepreneurial focus will bring fresh energy and innovation to campus life.

In a strategic move to reposition its entrepreneurship education, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, is set to deepen its curriculum through a new partnership with the German Development Agency, GIZ COPA under the Integrated Curriculum for Skills and Startups (ICSS) initiative.

Receiving a delegation from GIZ COPA at the University, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, underscored the urgent need to shift from conventional academic models to skill-based learning that promotes self-reliance and innovation among students.

“Graduates must begin to see themselves not just as job seekers, but as job creators,” Professor Sulaiman declared.

“This is why entrepreneurship must be at the heart of our academic direction. Through initiatives like ICSS and support from agencies like GIZ, we are laying the foundation for a more empowered generation.”

The Vice Chancellor also disclosed that IBBUL had recently received a TETFund intervention dedicated to entrepreneurship development, with projects such as a University Bakery and Table Water production unit designed to offer hands on experience for students and staff.

In his remarks Mr. Pike Bruns, a representative of GIZ COPA, reiterated the Agency’s commitment to strengthening entrepreneurship education across Nigerian universities.

He said the ICSS curriculum was developed to provide practical business knowledge that goes beyond theory, enabling students to launch viable startups even before graduation.

“We see ICSS as a long-term investment. By collaborating with institutions like IBBUL, we hope to inspire a shift in how universities prepare their graduates not just for the labour market, but for leadership in business and innovation,” Bruns noted

Also speaking, the Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development, Professor Idris Ndagi, welcomed the partnership as a timely intervention that aligns with the University’s vision. He expressed optimism that the collaboration would enrich the University’s academic offerings and enhance students’ readiness for the dynamic Nigerian economy.

“The ICSS team has shown strong interest in returning for follow-up engagements. We’ve requested their curriculum modules, which will soon be shared with our lecturers and relevant departments to kick-start the next phase of integration,” Professor Ndagi revealed.

The ICSS initiative, supported by GIZ, is designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and entrepreneurial practice, offering students the tools to build sustainable businesses from local opportunities. The partnership with IBBUL is expected to significantly boost the University’s capacity to produce self-sufficient graduates who contribute meaningfully to national development.

Following a comprehensive review of security measures and infrastructure improvements, His Excellency, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago, the Executive Governor of Niger State, has approved the immediate reopening of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai. The institution was temporarily closed due to security concerns and the unfortunate loss of lives within the University community.

A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman disclosed that Farmer Governor Bago was satisfied with the robust security architecture and infrastructural developments put in place to safeguard students, staff and the University community. Consequently, he has directed that academic activities resume on Monday, 4th August, 2025.

The SSG emphasized the Government’s unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of students and staff while ensuring uninterrupted academic progress.

Alhaji Usman commended the collaborative efforts of security operatives, University authorities and community leaders in addressing the challenges that led to the closure.

According to the SSG, “Governor Bago, while approving the reopening, emphasized that the safety and welfare of students and staff remain a top priority for his administration. He reiterated his commitment to education as a cornerstone of development, assuring the University community of the Government’s continued support”.

The statement implored all returning students and staff to adhere strictly to the security protocols and to cooperate fully with University authorities for a smooth and safe resumption.

Former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR, has hinted on more hostel accommodation for Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.

He dropped the hint when the University Management team led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman visited him at his UpHill residence in Minna.

The Elder Statesman appreciated the Management of the University for the courtesy visit and prayed that the University would continue to grow stronger.

He expressed the hope that shortage of hostel accommodation for students would be a thing of the past.

“We will do the best to assist the University,” he emphasized.

Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman thanked the Elder Statesman for the excellent services he is rendering to the country and humanity, especially IBB University, Lapai.

Professor Sulaiman equally appreciated the former Military President for the warm reception and told him that the University was in dare need of more hostel accommodation, stressing that the Elder Statesman should come to the rescue of the University, using his immense influence.

He disclosed that another Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) hostel intervention to the tune of Three Billion, Eight Hundred Thousand naira was in the offing for the University.

Professor Sulaiman said that the intervention was for the construction of both male a female hotels with three hundred rooms each.

The Vice Chancellor briefed the former President on the events of the past weeks in the University, which led to its closer.

He stressed that hostel accommodation has become a major nightmare for students of over Nineteen thousand, with over Seventeen thousand living off campus.

On the entourage of the Vice Chancellor were, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Muhammad Aliyu Bello; Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki; and the University Librarian, Dr. Abubakar N. Usman.

Others were, Bursar, Alhaji Muhammad Alfa Daniyan and the Deputy Registrar, Information, Alhaji Baba Akote respectively.

Prayers were offered for the life of the Elder Statesman, the University, Niger State, and Nigeria.

The Centre for Applied Sciences and Technology Research (CASTER) Building, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai has been named PROFESSOR NUHU GEORGE OBAJE BUILDING.

This was announced by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman at the 100th regular Senate Meeting held in the Senate Chamber, Main Campus, Lapai.

He said the approval for the naming was given by the University Governing Council as recommended by the Management .

Professor Sulaiman said the move is to immortalise late Professor Obaje for his dogged research exploits in the University.

The Vice Chancellor urged other Researchers in the University to continue to maintain the lead in their research activities.

Before his death in November last year, Late Professor Nuhu George Obaje was the Coordinating Director, Research and Development and the pioneer Basinal Chair Professor for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai has confirmed the promotion
of seven Professors and sixteen others to the position of Readers.

The announcement for the confirmation was made at the 100th regular meeting of the Senate held in the Senate Chamber, Main Campus, Lapai.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman announced that the University Governing Council at its 60th regular meeting held on Tuesday, the 27th May, 2025 had earlier ratify the promotions.

Those promoted to professorial seat are: Dr. Shuaibu Ndagi Sayedi, Professor of Business and Finance; Dr. Adebiyi Alini Adelakun, Open Distance and e-Learning ;
Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Baji, Educational Psychology; Dr. Aliyu Mohammed, Health Education (Mental and Social Health); Dr. Olajide Muili Folaranmi, Adult and Non-Formal Education.

Others new professors are, Dr. Mathew Tersoo Tsepav, Applied Geo-Physics; and Dr. James Obilikwu, Financial Economics respectively.

Those promoted to Readers (Associates Professors) are: Dr. Muktar Bala, Health and Quantitative Economics; Dr. Hussaini Mohammed Majiya, Public Health Microbiology and Biotechnology; Dr. Adisa Mohammed Jimoh, Natural Products Chemistry; Dr. Nmadu Timothy, Human Resources Management; Dr. Muhammed Habiba Maikudi, Applied Plant Mycology; Dr. Mohammed Jiya Lakan, Extension Education and Community Development; Dr. Suleiman Yusuf Bagerei, Food Technology; Dr. Ibrahim Suleiman Kuta, Nuclear and Radiation Physics; Dr. Amuzat Aliyu, Nutritional Biochemistry/Phytomedicine.

Others are: Dr. Musa Emanuel Umaru, Criminology and Security Studies; Dr. Aishat Rabiu Sani, Medical Microbiology (Bacteriology); Dr. Yahaya Say Yadi Mohammed, Environmental Engineering; Dr. Ndanusa Babakatcha, Electronic/Communication; Dr. Usman Naji Gimba, Public Health/Parasitology; Dr. Mohammed Isah Legbo, Pharmaceutical Microbiology; and Dr. Musa Usman, Local Government Administration respectively.

In a congratulatory message, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman urged the promoted academic staff to continue to work harder and use their new positions for the growth and development of the University.

He also extended a congratulatory message from the Visitor, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Niger State, Farmer Muhammad Umaru Bago and the Honourable Commissioner, Tertiary Education, Honourable Abdullahi Adamu Mammagi, urging them to be more dedicated to their primary assignments of teaching and research.

All promotions take effect from 1st October, 2024.