Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, has received teams from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for resource verification of 13 proposed academic programmes across various disciplines.
The exercise is aimed at assessing the University’s readiness in terms of academic staff, infrastructural facilities, equipment, library resources and other requirements necessary for the successful commencement of the programmes.
The programmes presented for verification include, B.CHS Community Health Science,
Nursing Science,
B.MLS Medical Laboratory Science,
B.A. Nupe,
B.Sc. Physics with Electronics,
M.Sc/PhD Food Science and Technology, as well as
B.Sc. Library and Information Science.
others are, B.Sc Applied Geophysics, B.Sc Cyber Security, B.Sc Botany, B.Sc Zoology, B.Sc Intelligence and Security Studies and B.Sc Industrial Chemistry
The teams commended the University for the impressive level of preparation and commitment demonstrated towards the proposed introduction of 13 new academic programmes across various disciplines.
The panels explained that their assessment covered the proposed programmes’ curricula, academic and non-teaching staff, laboratories, classrooms, lecture theatres, offices, library holdings, e-library facilities and other relevant resources.
While several areas were adjudged satisfactory, the teams also identified areas requiring further attention.
Another panel specifically commended the University’s curriculum, staffing and physical facilities for the proposed programmes, while calling for continuous improvement of the available resources.
The teams expressed appreciation to the University Management for its cooperation and urged the Institution to sustain the momentum by addressing the observations raised during the exercise.
Responding to the issues raised, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, assured the NUC teams that the Management would take all the observations seriously and implement the necessary corrective measures.
He disclosed that the University would recruit additional academic and technical staff to address identified staff-mix gaps, particularly at the lower academic ranks, while ensuring that the departments have the required personnel to support effective teaching and learning.
He also assured the panels that identified administrative arrangements, including the proper positioning of offices, would be addressed promptly.
Professor Hadi further assured the teams that the University would strengthen its library resources by ensuring that relevant books available in departmental libraries are also provided in the main library. He noted that the University appreciates the importance of having current and relevant academic materials readily accessible to students and researchers.
On local journals, he said the Management would work with professionals and relevant bodies to identify reputable local journals and ensure that they are added to the University’s collections. He also explained that the Management had commenced efforts to restore and expand internet connectivity across the campus after some network infrastructure was damaged, adding that the Director of ICT had been directed to determine the financial requirements for completing the work.
The Vice-Chancellor also directed the relevant academic and administrative units to correct identified curriculum inconsistencies and ensure strict compliance with the NUC’s CCMAS, particularly regarding approved course codes and the appropriate placement of courses at different academic levels. He assured the panels that incomplete staff files would be updated with appointment, confirmation, promotion and academic qualification documents.
Professor Hadi thanked the NUC teams for their candid observations and constructive recommendations, stressing that the university viewed the resource verification exercise not merely as a regulatory requirement but as an opportunity to strengthen its academic programmes, improve its facilities and enhance the quality of education offered to students.
