Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has disclosed that the state is funding the construction of the world’s first University of Public Relations and Leadership entirely from its savings.
Governor Sule made the revelation while performing the groundbreaking for the NIPR university in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area on Friday.
The Governor, in his address, commended the reforms under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for creating an environment where the state could achieve financial independence for such projects.
“This used to be a state where if we needed just five billion naira to construct a market, we had to go and take a bond. Today, if we have a 40 billion naira project, we don’t go anywhere to borrow money. We just execute that project,” he stated.
He disclosed that the initiative is financed from a special savings fund he had secretly been building for the benefit of a future administration. He said his executive council persuaded him to allocate part of it for the university.
“With due respect to my immediate predecessor, I don’t want my successor to inherit the state like I did in 2019. But the exco said let’s use part of this money for this university. They overruled me,” he said.
Governor Sule confirmed that fifty percent of the total contract sum has been paid upfront to the contractor from the savings, with the balance to come from the same source.
Architect Shehu Tukur, representing the project consultants, outlined the plan for the 100-hectare site.
He explained that the first phase on 16 hectares will include key structures like the senate building, hostels, and staff lodges.
“We assure you that the contract period would not be exceeded because whatever you are supposed to do with us, you have already done it. We assure you of our commitments towards your goals,” Architect Tukur said.
On his part, NIPR Vice President, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura commended the project as a groundbreaking achievement in educational model.
He described it as Nigeria’s first intentionally designed ‘Triple Helix’ university, integrating government, industry, and academia.
“Your Excellency, this is the first specialised university in the world of public relations and leadership. It is also Nigeria’s first intentionally designed Triple Helix institution. The NUC is excited about that,” Professor Dandaura said.
The President of the NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, appreciated Governor Sule’s unique capacity to turn vision into reality.
He said the project repositions Nasarawa State on the global map.
“You are sending a powerful message not just to Nigeria but across the entire world that Nasarawa State is no longer in the margin of history. Nasarawa State has become the centre of history,” Dr. Neliaku stated.
In his remarks, first civilian governor of the state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu congratulated the Governor and the people of the state for hosting the pioneering institution.
“When I first heard about this university, I congratulated the people of Nasarawa State for hosting the university, being the first of its kind in Africa, if not the entire world,” Senator Adamu said.
He pledged his full support to ensure the success of the university project.
The historic project is a collaboration between the Nasarawa State Government, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and global partners.
The event was attended by the State Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, top government functionaries, local government chairmen, including the ALGON Chairman, Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha, traditional rulers, amongst others.
