The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has approved a Special Intervention Project worth ₦750 million for the construction of a 200-bed capacity students’ hostel at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.

The project, which will be executed within 36 weeks (9 months), comprise 32 rooms, two common rooms, a modern kitchen, laundry area, a borehole with overhead tank, and each room will be equipped with a private toilet and wardrobe, ensuring a comfortable and conducive environment for students.

Speaking at the signing of the contract, the Vice Chancellor of IBBU, Professor Muhammad Hadi Sulaiman, described the development as a strategic boost to students’ welfare infrastructure, emphasizing the University’s commitment to improved campus life and academic excellence.

“We are grateful to TETfund for this intervention, which aligns with our long-term vision for a student-friendly environment,” he said.

The project followed due process, including a comprehensive feasibility study, geotechnical survey, soil analysis, structural and architectural designs, and the preparation of a detailed bill of quantity, all of which culminated in an open competitive bidding process in line with public procurement guidelines.

The Chief Executive of the construction firm handling the project, Green-View Tech. Limited, TPL Muhammad Hamza has assured of timely and quality delivery pledging utmost professionalism.

“We are bringing our experience and commitment to this project. It is not just about erecting a structure; it’s about creating a lasting legacy for future leaders,” he stated.

The project which will be supervised by Shelter Groove Architects, the consulting firm providing technical guidance throughout the construction phase.

The firm’s involvement is to ensures that best practices in structural integrity and functional design are strictly adhered to.

This intervention is expected to significantly address the accommodation challenges faced by students and further promote academic concentration and well-being on campus.

A Team of Legal luminary from the Nigeria Council of Legal Education has visited the new Faculty of Law at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai for facility verification.

The team which was led by the Director – General of the Council, Professor Isa Hayyatu Chiroma (SAN) was to verify the University’s facilities in both the old and newly constructed Law Faculty buildings.

During the inspection, Professor Chiroma described the new Faculty building as “massive and one of the largest in the country” he had seen, even though it was still under construction.

He noted that, although the building had over 100 offices, lecture halls, a law clinic, a moot court, and an auditorium, which when well furnished will provide excellent learning environment for the take-off of law programme at the University.

He stressed that proper furnishing of staff offices, classrooms, moot courts, and the law library were necessary for the final approval of the Faculty’s law programme by the Nigeria Council of Legal Education.

For the library holdings, the Director – General commended the effort by the University but noted that more hardcopies and e-copies of books were required, especially in core subject areas. He also recommended that the University subscribes to additional legal research databases beyond the existing LexisNexis, emphasizing the urgent need to provide a utility vehicle and a bus for outreach programmes under the Law clinic.

“We are not here to witch-hunt the University, but to help improve facilities and ensure compliance with national legal education standards,” he emphasized.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, expressed gratitude to the visiting team and assured that the University was fully committed to addressing all issues raised.

He disclosed that furnishing contracts for the new Faculty of Law building had already been awarded, but the furnishing could only commence once the main contractor complete work on the physical structure,
confirming that the University had made arrangements to resolve all outstanding issues in no distant future.

Professor Sulaiman also disclosed that the University had secured TETFund intervention for the procurement of more law books and that subscriptions to electronic legal resources, including the Weekly Law Reports, would be made available within a few days.

Regarding transportation, the Vice Chancellor assured that efforts are being made to secure buses for both Law and Medical students.

“We are in contact with His Excellency, the Visitor to the University, and the Niger State Transport Authority for the provision of buses. We are optimistic that they will arrive by July,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.

Professor Sulaiman further explained that four additional offices had been allocated to the Faculty of Law in a provisional block and at professorial complex, pending the Faculty’s full relocation to the new Faculty of Law building by December this year.

On the moot court, the Vice Chancellor disclosed that recent rainstorms had damaged some ceiling work, but repairs were being effected. “We are replacing the suspended ceiling with POP or concrete for durability. All furniture for the moot court has been paid for and will be installed immediately after repairs are completed,” he said.

Professor Sulaiman thanked the team from the Nigeria Council of Legal Education for its objective assessment and pledged continued collaboration to meet all accreditation requirements.

Commenting, the Dean, Faculty of Law, Professor Abdulmunini Baba Ahmed acknowledged the Council’s commendation of the University’s efforts so far and assured that more efforts would be made to ensure that world class facilities are provided for the Faculty of Law to facilitate the take-off of the programme.

In a vote of thanks, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, represented by the Deputy Registrar Establishment, Mr. Sunday Gana, expressed sincere appreciation to the Director-General of the Nigeria Council of Legal Education and his delegation for the facility verification visit.

He assured the team that the University is fully committed to ensuring the successful commencement of the Law programme and will make every necessary effort to meet all required standards and provisions for a smooth take-off.

Receives Representative on Energy Audit in the Institution

The Vice-Chancellor, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, has appealed to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) and its collaborator, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), to consider extending the proposed solar mini-grid project beyond the main campus in Lapai to the University’s satellite locations.

Professor Sulaiman made the appeal while receiving the technical team from the REA, who were on campus to carry out an energy audit as part of the first phase of the solar power intervention project. He emphasized that this move would not only serve as a corporate social responsibility gesture to the Lapai community but also enhance access to clean and sustainable energy across the University’s outreach centers.

“It is no longer news that most universities in Nigeria, including IBBUL, are burdened by exorbitant electricity bills, which consume a significant portion of our limited resources,” the Vice-Chancellor lamented.

“We would be immensely grateful if the federal government, through TETfund and REA, could support us by providing alternative power solutions such as solar energy to ease this financial strain.”

He further noted that adopting solar energy would not only reduce operational costs but also promote environmental sustainability through reduced carbon emissions.

“This initiative is not just about cost-saving. It’s about embracing green energy that is cleaner and easier to maintain, and more reliable. Currently, we spend heavily on maintenance replacing broken poles, dealing with faults, and purchasing diesel. With a solar mini-grid, we can redirect those funds to other critical areas of need within the University,” he said

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted a recent incident where prolonged power outages disrupted student examinations between late March and April. Due to limited supply from the distribution company, stressing that students endured extreme heat conditions during the exams, an experience that the University Management is determined to prevent in future.

Professor Sulaiman reaffirmed the institution’s readiness to support the REA technical team throughout the auditing process and reiterated his appeal for the extension of the project to all University satellite campuses as part of a broader strategy to ensure inclusive and equitable access to renewable energy solutions.

In his remarks, the REA representative, Engineer Richard Yaro, explained the purpose of the visit and assured the University community of the Agency’s commitment to delivering a sustainable energy solution.

“We are here today in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) to conduct a comprehensive energy audit across the entire University,” he stated.

“The purpose of this audit is to assess the Institution’s current energy consumption and determine its total load demand. This is a crucial step in our plan to deploy a solar mini-grid system that will serve the entire University community by understanding its energy needs.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has granted full accreditation to three academic programmes at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.

This was officially conveyed in a letter signed by the Acting Director of Accreditation, Engr. Abraham Chundusu.

The accredited programmes include Mass Communication, Computer Science, and Biology. According to the letter, the accreditation followed a rigorous assessment conducted by the Commission during its visit to the University in October and November 2024.

Engr. Chundusu explained that the exercise was carried out in accordance with Section 10 (1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, CAP E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. This section empowers the Commission to set minimum academic standards and accredit all academic programmes offered by Nigerian universities in line with the law.

The results of the recent accreditation exercise revealed that Mass Communication (under Communication and Media Studies) received full accreditation, Computer Science (under Computing) received full accreditation while Biology (under Sciences) also received full accreditation.

By implication, each of these programmes has been granted full accreditation status for a period of five years. Furthermore, the University is now eligible to mount postgraduate programmes in these disciplines, in accordance with NUC guidelines.

This achievement reflects IBBUL’s commitment to academic excellence and its continuous efforts to meet national and international standards in tertiary education.

Reacting, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman expressed delight with the achievement and thanked the Visitor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago for the support to the Institution.

He assured that IBB University, Lapai would continue to do the needful to achieve academic excellence.

The Vice Chancellor appreciated staff and students for remaining steadfast in academic pursuits.

In preparation for the forthcoming World University Games scheduled to take place in July this year, in Germany, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, has qualified to participate in Taekwondo and 1,500m event in athletics. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, coaches, and support staff.

In a pre-qualification tournament, which took place at the University of Jos, with over fifty universities in Nigeria,
Shittu Ridwan Ola, in an outstanding performance won the Gold Medal in Taekwondo (-74kg), showcasing an exceptional skill and determination.

In the same vein, Mohammed Jibrin Isah secured a Silver Medal in the 1500m event in athletics, demonstrating impressive speed and endurance.

Assessing the performance of the team, the Director of Sports, Dr. Mohammed Aliyu said he was generally impressed as a qualification in a single event is good enough to put IBBUL on the world sporting stage. He expressed gratitude for the support and resources provided by the University Management, which enabled the team to participate in the FISU trial. IBBUL participated in only three events.

He further appreciated the staff of the Directorate and coaches for their tireless efforts, especially BM Dzukogi (Sports Officer), Adamu Kuta (Head Coach), Dr. Dahiru (Athletics Coach), Adamu Kagara (Tennis Coach), and Saddiq Muhammad (Taekwondo Coach).

The Director observed that despite the Dirth in sports facilities at IBBUL, the students achieved the remarkable success.

“We urge the new Vice Chancellor to invest more in sports infrastructure to support our students’ future endeavors and provide them with the resources they need to excel”,he stated.

He further stated that, the Vice Chancellor should construct an affordable Directorate of Sports beside the Professorial office building as the first step towards reorganizing sports in IBBUL.

Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, a private company that contributes to national development and industrialization is set to complete one of the ongoing Lecture Theatre projects in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.

A Technical Team led by Arc. Ibrahim Abdullahi of the company’s Civil Project Department visited the University on an on-the-spot assessment of the project to be completed.

The team’s visit was after the University Management ‘s visit to the Chairman of the Company, Colonel Sani Bello, Rtd in Abuja.

Commenting after inspecting the abandoned project, Arc. Ibrahim Abdullahi, assured the Management of the Mainstream Energy Solutions, Ltd readiness to take over the completion of the project.

He maintained that the company is determined to extend its corporate social responsibility to IBB University, Lapai by identifying a project that is critical to the Institution with a view to completing it; stressing that a lecture theatre is very important in the life of every university considering increasing students’ population and new academic programmes being introduced in the Institution.

Responding, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman appreciated the company for the prompt response to take over the project.

He assured of the University’s preparedness to engage the company in more collaborative ventures.

The NAICOM Lecture Theatre project is one of the abandoned projects in the University, which is receiving serious attention for completion within the shortest possible time.

Members of the Technical Team that visited the University were,
Arc. Ibrahim Abdullahi, Civil Project Dept. PEL ZHPP,
Arc. Ahmed Salisu Tijjani, Civil project Dept. MESL KHPP and
Ms. Sylvia Umaru Tukura, CSR Office ZHPP.

 

The Centre for Gender Affairs at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai has marked this year’s International Women’s Day with the theme: “Sensitization on Sexual Harassment and Drug Abuse”.

The event which took place at the Auditorium, main campus, provided a platform for discussions on gender equality, campus safety, and the dangers of drug abuse.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, emphasized the importance of fostering a safe and inclusive academic environment, acknowledging that both male and female students could be victims of sexual harassment.

He proposed the establishment of campus ambassadors to act as peer educators and urged traditional and religious leaders to actively engage in awareness efforts, warning on the rising prevalence of drug abuse and noting its links to violence and criminal activities with a needed collective action to combat these challenges.

The Director of the Centre, Professor Naomi John Dadi- Mahmud, highlighted the significance of the event, stressing that sexual harassment and drug abuse are serious societal issues affecting young people.

She provided an overview of Nigeria’s legal framework, addressing sexual offenses, referencing Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution, the Penal Code, the Criminal Code, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP 2015).

In their presentations, Professor Roseline Bukoye, a professor of Counseling and Psychology, spoke on “Sexual Harassment: Morals and Dressing, while Assistant Commander of Narcotics Wade Yakubu Umar from NDLEA discussed, “Sexual Harassment and Drug Abuse”.

They defined sexual harassment as any unwelcome verbal, non-verbal, or physical sexual behaviour that makes a person feel uncomfortable, humiliated, or intimidated, with examples including unwanted touching, suggestive comments, or persistent advances.

Drug abuse, on the other hand, was described as the misuse of substances like cocaine, cannabis, codeine, and opioids, leading to addiction, mental health issues, and other negative consequences.

The speakers emphasized that morality plays a key role in preventing sexual harassment, as respect, self-control, and empathy help individuals understand personal boundaries and the impact of inappropriate behavior.

In her Vote of Thanks, Dr. Balarabe Abubakar Sule, Deputy Director, Centre for Gender Affairs, expressed gratitude to, the Vice-Chancellor, the Speakers and all participants for their contributions.

She acknowledged the Centre’s commitment to gender justice and student welfare, assuring that its impact would continue to be felt across campus.

The event concluded with a call to action, urging students and staff to become advocates of gender justice, campus safety, and a drug-free environment, reinforcing IBBUL’s reputation as a center of excellence, morality, and inclusion.

The Student Affairs Division of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai has successfully hosted its 18th Orientation Programme for newly admitted students.

The event, which held at the University Auditorium, aimed to familiarize students with the Institution’s policies, academic expectations, and available resources to ensure a smooth transition into university life.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Professor Muhammad Aliyu Bello, cautioned students against engaging in social vices such as cultism, examination misconduct, and other unruly behaviors.

Congratulating the students, the Vice Chancellor emphasized the highly competitive nature of the admission process.

“Over 9,000 candidates applied for admission into IBBUL through JAMB, but only about 5,550 were successful. This is a rare opportunity, and I encourage you to make the most of it,” he stated.

He further noted that the orientation programme was designed to acquaint students with the University’s rules, regulations, and facilities, including the Library, ICT, University Clinic, and the Student Hostels.

“The University is a diverse environment where you will meet different kinds of people—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Choose your friends wisely. Associate with serious-minded students who share your academic aspirations,” he advised.

The Vice Chancellor also stressed the importance of decent dressing, urging students to respect the University’s dress code.

“Avoid sagging trousers, tattered jeans, or revealing outfits. Dress decently and conduct yourselves in a manner that reflects your status as responsible students,” he cautioned.

In his remarks, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Musa Salihu Ewugi, congratulated the new students and highlighted the significance of the orientation programme as a platform to provide answers to their key concerns about university life.

He acknowledged the transition from secondary school to university, where students move from a strictly regulated environment to one that offers greater freedom but also demands personal responsibility.

“Your success in this University will depend on your ability to manage this newfound freedom wisely. Smart decision-making and discipline will be key to achieving academic excellence,” he noted.

The orientation programme featured presentations from various speakers, covering important topics such as:

“Knowing Your University”, Dr. Tenenge Ende;
“Living a Moral and Godly Life for Academic Success”, Ustaz Mustapha and Professor A. O Olorunsanya;
“Living a Healthy Campus Life”, Director, Medical Services;
“University Rules, Students’ Rights, and Responsibilities”, Professor Ebenezer O. Ogungbe;
“Dress Code and Acceptable Conduct”, Mrs. A.A. Aminat;
“Understanding Course Units”, Professor Aliyu Y. Badeggi;
“Sports Activities”, Mr. Adamu Kuta;
“ICT and Its Role in Learning”, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi;
“Insecurity Challenges in Nigeria: The Role of University Campuses”, A.S.O. Muhammad Zubairu; and
“The Importance of Counseling,”Professor Roseline Bukoye

The Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Comrade Mohammed Ganako, urged the new students to be law-abiding, good ambassadors of their parents, and focused on their studies.

In his vote of thanks, the Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Haruna Maichibi, expressed appreciation to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Suleiman and his management team for their unwavering support and commitment to student welfare.

“We remain grateful to the University leadership for their dedication to creating an environment conducive to learning and student development. Their continuous support and trust in the Student Affairs Division enable us to carry out our responsibilities effectively,” he stated.

He also thanked the invited speakers for sharing their knowledge and experiences with the new students.

“We appreciate our distinguished speakers for taking the time to guide and inspire our students today. Your insights will undoubtedly have a lasting impact.”

The orientation programme concluded with a strong call for students to uphold discipline, embrace hard work, and make the best use of their time at IBBUL.

 

The Niger State Government has reiterated its commitment to completion all ongoing projects in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, including the University’s teaching hospital.

This was disclosed by the Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Honourable Abdullahi Adamu Mammagi at the 18th Matriculation Ceremony, held at the General Abubakar A. Abdulsalami Convocation Arena, Lapai.

He congratulated the newly admitted students, acknowledging their academic performance in JAMB, which earned them a place at the prestigious institution.

Honourable Mammagi urged them to dedicate themselves to their studies and be mindful of negative peer influences that could derail their academic journey.

He also extended congratulations to the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, noting that his emergence as the University’s Chief Executive was destiny.

The Commissioner expressed confidence that Professor Sulaiman’s leadership would foster an all-inclusive administration, anchored on innovation and global competitiveness, positioning IBB University as a leading institution of higher learning.

He highlighted the Niger State Government’s commitment to supporting tertiary education through consistent payment of bursaries to indigent students, emphasizing that bursaries were a privilege rather than a right.

Honourable Mammagi further disclosed that, in line with Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s vision for inclusivity, the state had recently conducted an aptitude test in preparation for sending 1,000 underprivileged students abroad to study science, engineering, and medical courses. The initial target countries, he disclosed, include India, Canada, and China.

He commended IBB University for its remarkable strides in infrastructure development, strategic partnerships, and expansion of academic programs, particularly the establishment of the College of Health Sciences, which he described as a significant achievement that has fulfilled the aspirations of many students who wish to pursue medicine.

He particularly emphasized the administration’s dedication to the timely completion of the IBB University Hospital Complex in Minna, which will provide medical students with access to modern facilities for their clinical and preclinical training.

Earlier in his opening remarks the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Professor Hassan Ibrahim, emphasized that matriculation is a fundamental academic tradition that formally admits qualified candidates into the university system and serves as an opportunity to introduce new students to the institution’s rules, regulations, values, and academic culture.

Highlighting the University’s growing reputation, Professor Hadi disclosed that IBB University received over 9,000 applications for undergraduate programmes in the 2024/2025 academic session. These applications spanned across regular academic programmes on the main campus as well as part-time degree programmes under the Institute of Continuing Education and e-Learning (ICEeL) and the Long Vacation Training (LVT).

Out of these applicants, the Vice Chancellor said, over 6,000 candidates successfully met the admission requirements and have now been officially matriculated.

Professor Hadi reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the Institution, emphasizing that, with the continued support of the Niger State Government under Governor Bago, the institution is set to achieve remarkable progress in the next five years.

He acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor and reaffirmed his commitment to elevating the University’s national and international standing.

The Vice-Chancellor underscored the need for innovative funding strategies to drive infrastructural development and called on contractors working with Niger State Government to support the University’s expansion efforts.

One of the key initiatives of the Vice Chancellor is to ensure a 24-hour electricity supply on campus, a move that will significantly reduce operational costs and allow the University to redirect resources toward other developmental projects.

Professor Hadi urged stakeholders, including government agencies, alumni, and private sector partners, to collaborate in achieving the Institution’s long-term vision.

He advised the new students to remain focused on their academic pursuits and avoid distractions that could hinder their success. He encouraged them to seek guidance from academic advisers and take advantage of University resources for their academic and personal development.

The Vice Chancellor of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Mohammed Hadi Suleiman, has reaffirmed the University’s commitment to its longstanding partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Professor Hassan Ibrahim, the Vice Chancellor expressed deep appreciation for NNPCL’s continuous support to the University’s research endeavours.

He commended the collaboration between IBBU, Lapai and the FUT, Minna in conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Bida Basin, attributing the delays in finalizing the report to the unfortunate passing of Professor Nuhu Obaje, a key figure in the project.

Professor Suleiman emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between theoretical research and industry practice, ensuring that research outputs are demand driven.

The Vice Chancellor also appreciated NNPCL for granting the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) approval, which will be included in the final report to the Federal Ministry of Environment.

He reassured NNPCL of IBBUL’s readiness to strengthen their partnership, highlighting the University’s expertise in research and petroleum studies.

He also urged NNPCL’s Senior Management to continue their collaboration, noting that Professor Obaje had mentored a capable team to sustain the project.

In his presentation the NNPCL Team Leader, Engr. Rabiu Audu, commended IBBUL for its commitment to research and development, acknowledging the Institution’s critical role in supporting NNPCL’s projects, and emphasized the need for continued collaboration.

Dr. Audu explained that while the Sokoto Basin EIA had reached the approval stage, the Bida Basin project had been delayed due to the passing of Professor Obaje.

The team leader noted that the NNPCL intervened to clarify the situation and ensure the project remained on track.

He further noted that the visit aimed to align all stakeholders and prevent further setbacks.

Engr. Audu explained that under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), only the Federal Ministry of Environment can issue the EIA permit, while the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) is responsible for the EMP.

He confirmed that the EMP had already been approved and would be incorporated into the final report.

Engr. Audu also expressed gratitude for the warm reception by IBBUL and reaffirmed NNPCL’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with the University on the EIA project.

In their separate remarks, Professor Alimi Folorunsho Lawal, the Coordinating Director of Research and Development, Dr. Hussain Majiya, Director, Centre for Applied Science and Technology Research, CASTER and Professor Idris Nda of FUT, Minna all emphasized the University’s readiness to sustain its research partnership with NNPCL despite the loss of Professor Obaje.

Professor Alimi reassured NNPCL that the late Professor’s work was supported by a strong and capable team.

He highlighted a recent National Research Grant awarded to a IBBUL petroleum Geologist, who successfully patented a method for exploring failed wells in the Anambra Basin.

He emphasized IBBUL’s strong research team in petroleum Geology and expressed confidence in maintaining a productive collaboration with NNPCL, urging the company to continue supporting the University’s research efforts.

In his closing remarks, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, represented by Director, Strategic Planning, Alhaji Musa Ango Abdullahi, expressed profound appreciation to NNPCL and FUT, Minna for their confidence in IBBUL’s ability to execute the EIA project.

He acknowledged NNPCL’s crucial role as the financial backbone of the project and assured them of IBBUL’s unwavering commitment to delivering quality research.

He also highlighted the keen interest of the Niger State Government in the project and its appreciation of NNPCL’s collaboration with the University.