Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has urged the Federal Government to reconsider its decision to merge the Nigerian Army University Biu in Borno State with the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna, as proposed by the Oronsaye Report.
Zulum expressed his concerns during a press briefing in Maiduguri on Thursday, February 29.
He emphasized that the merger could inadvertently support the objectives of Boko Haram, which opposes Western education. Zulum appealed directly to President Tinubu to reverse the decision.
Highlighting the importance of education in Borno State and the entire Northeast region, Zulum emphasized the significance of maintaining the autonomy of the Army University in Biu.
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He suggested that if maintaining autonomy is not feasible, the university should be taken over by the Federal Ministry of Education to function as a conventional university.
Additionally, Zulum appealed to the Federal Government to consider allowing the Army University to continue operating as such, given the critical role of education in the region.
While acknowledging the importance of implementing the Oronsaye Report to enhance economic repositioning and curb inefficiencies, Zulum stressed the urgent need for education in Borno State.
He urged the Federal Government to reconsider the merger in light of the region’s educational needs.
The Federal Government recently approved the implementation of some recommendations from the Stephen Oronsaye Report after twelve years.
Among these recommendations is the proposal to integrate the Air Force Institute of Technology as a faculty within the Nigerian Defence Academy.
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