The new Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Minna (FUT) Prof. Faruk-Adamu Kuta has decried the university’s inability to accommodate its 26,000 student population.
He said that in the university’s almost 40 years existence, it was only able to accommodate 3,304 out of 26,000 of its students population.
Kuta disclosed on Friday this during an inaugural speech as the eighth substantive Vice Chancellor of the university in Minna.
He described the issue as a major challenge that requires radical intervention, given the security and social challenges associated with vast majority of its students living off campus.
“I am using this forum to request and appeal to FUT alumni, friends and stakeholders that have the means at their disposal to take advantage of the offer.
“Stakeholders should come to our aid through public private partnership arrangements to provide hostels accommodation for the teeming students to ease their hardship,” he said.
Similarly on the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Kuta said he would redouble efforts at improving the revenue base.
“Every loophole through which leakages and wastages are perpetrated will be properly blocked so that we can augment whatever comes from the Federal Government for maximum benefit of FUT,” he said.
The new VC promised to ensure the continued global recognition of the institution through its path of academic excellence.
He appreciated the outgoing VC, Prof. Abdullahi Bala, for his contribution to the growth and development of the university in the last five years.
Similarly the Pro Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council FUT Minna, Prof. Olu Obafemi, said the gathering was a bye-product of a meticulous selection process that brought in the new V.C.
He assured Nigerians that the board would continue to keep the flag of the university high to the envy of both local and international academic communities.
Also speaking, the outgoing VC called on members of the University council, staff and students to extend the support and cooperation given to him to the new V.C. to enable him succeed in his new job.
The new VC, whose appointment was announced on Sept. 22, was born on Oct. 26, 1972 in Kuta, Shiroro LGA of Niger State.
He attended Government Science Teachers College Wushishi in Niger state, from 1981 to 1986, and the Federal College of Education, Kontangora, from 1989 to 1993.
The new VC attended Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto in 1994, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc in Microbiology in 1998), and MTech. in Pharmaceutical Microbiology at F.U.T Minna in 2004.
He earned a PhD in Medical Microbiology at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State in 2012, and became a Professor in 2021.
Kuta has served the University in various capacities, including membership on over 30 committees, Deputy Dean of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences.
He was a Deputy-Director of the University’s Academic Planning Unit, Head of the Department of Microbiology, Director of the Academic Planning Unit, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), a position he held prior to his new appointment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new Vice Chancellor was sworn in by the university legal officer, Mrs Evelyn Usaini, at a colourful ceremony witnessed by many students.
NAN also reports that security personnel’s, academics from various universities, V.Cs from other universities, traditional rulers, Rectors and Provost’s from Polytechnics and Colleges of Education were present at the inauguration. (NAN)
