WE’VE REPAID ONE-THIRD OF INHERITED DEBT, SAYS ATBU VICE-CHANCELLOR
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By Sunmisola Shodayo
The administration of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi has committed to implementing financial discipline and academic fairness in tackling the institution’s obstacles.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba, provided this assurance during a solidarity visit from representatives of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union in his office on Wednesday.
Garba, who expressed gratitude for the visit, remarked that the pride of the university community lies in witnessing ATBU advance in fulfilling its mission as a center of education.
He noted that his administration had inherited a substantial debt burden but has successfully managed to repay nearly one-third of the loan without acquiring any additional debt.
“When I assumed office, I met a huge amount of debt at the university. I have been able to settle nearly one-third of that loan in the last few months without incurring any fresh loan at all,” he stated.
Regarding welfare, the Vice-Chancellor announced that five luxury buses had been refurbished to facilitate student transportation between the Gubi and Yelwa campuses, while a 32-seater bus was being prepared to assist with staff commuting.
He further disclosed that six out of the eleven inoperable tractors owned by the university had been restored for the current agricultural season, with two more nearly ready for use.
This initiative, he elaborated, aims to support staff and members of the Bauchi community engaged in farming on the campuses at subsidized rates of under 30 percent of commercial fees.
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Garba also highlighted that the administration is developing a streamlined promotion process to eliminate delays in employee promotion procedures.
In expressing appreciation to the university community for their support during his tenure, Garba reassured that his administration would persist in upholding transparency and fairness in managing the institution.
Earlier, the SSANU Chairman, Comrade Sulisma Jatau, commended the Vice-Chancellor’s leadership approach, particularly in the areas of financial discipline, welfare for staff and students, and the assurance of academic quality.
Nonetheless, he characterized a recent media campaign against the Vice-Chancellor as unfortunate, asserting that the institution did not merit such negative attention.
Correspondingly, the NASU Chairman, Yusuf Yusuf, criticized the proliferation of adverse reports connecting the Vice-Chancellor to a Federal Government policy decision regarding the restructuring of certain faculties and programs.
He clarified that the decision, communicated by the Pro-Chancellor, was incorrectly attributed to the Vice-Chancellor, which led to the ensuing controversy.
Both unions expressed their commitment to continue supporting Garba in his endeavors to reposition the university.
The media recalls that a group based in Bauchi had accused the Vice-Chancellor of unilaterally misguiding the Governing Council to shut down the Faculty of Management Sciences and several programs within the Faculty of Technology Education, a decision later clarified as a directive from the Federal Government.
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