Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has disclosed that the state government is funding the construction of the world’s first University of Public Relations and Leadership entirely from its savings, without resorting to borrowing. Governor Sule made the disclosure on Friday in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) University. The governor attributed the state’s ability to independently finance the project to improved economic and fiscal discipline driven by ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which he said have strengthened financial autonomy at the sub-national level. “This used to be a state where if we needed just N5 billion to construct a market, we had to go and take a bond. Today, if we have a N40 billion project, we don’t go anywhere to borrow money. We just execute that project,” Sule said. He explained that the university is being funded from a special savings account he had quietly built over time for the benefit of future administrations. However, he revealed that members of the State Executive Council persuaded him to deploy part of the fund for the establishment of the specialised institution. Sule further disclosed that 50 per cent of the total contract sum had already been paid upfront to the contractor from the savings, adding that the balance would also be sourced from the same fund. Read Also: Kano State Polytechnic Takes Step Toward University-Affiliated PGD Programmes Prof. Amina Bayero Appointed First Female VC of Northwest University Kano Dr. Gwaram Appointed Provost, Set to Lead Federal College of Agriculture, Kirikasamma In his remarks, President of the NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, commended the governor for what he described as his capacity to translate vision into concrete achievements, noting that the project would reposition Nasarawa State on the global map of education and professional training. “You are sending a powerful message, not only to Nigeria but to the entire world, that Nasarawa State is no longer at the margins of history. Nasarawa State has become a centre of history,” Neliaku said. Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and first civilian governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, also congratulated the state government and residents for hosting what he described as a pioneering institution. “When I first heard about this university, I congratulated the people of Nasarawa State for hosting an institution that is first of its kind in Africa, if not the entire world,” Adamu said. Also speaking, Vice President of the NIPR, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, described the project as a landmark achievement in higher education and professional development. He said the institution would be Nigeria’s first intentionally designed ‘Triple Helix’ university, integrating government, industry and academia. “Your Excellency, this is the first specialised university in the world dedicated to public relations and leadership. It is also Nigeria’s first intentionally designed Triple Helix institution, and the NUC is excited about it,” Dandaura stated. Earlier, the project consultant, Arc. Shehu Tukur, said the university would be developed on a 100-hectare site, with the first phase covering 16 hectares. He explained that the initial phase would include the senate building, student hostels, staff lodges and other essential infrastructure. “We assure you that the contract period will not be exceeded because whatever you are supposed to do with us, you have already done it. We are fully committed to delivering the project in line with your vision,” Tukur said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the university project is a collaboration between the Nasarawa State Government, the NIPR and international partners.
