KEFAS COMMISSIONS MEGA PROJECTS AS TSU HOLDS COMBINED CONVOCATION
- Opens ultra-modern female hostel, 700-capacity multipurpose hall
- TSU says 72 academic programmes now have full accreditation
- Governor challenges graduates to become job creators
- VC seeks additional infrastructure, facilities for teaching and research
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has commissioned major infrastructure projects at Taraba State University, Jalingo, as the institution held its combined 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th convocation ceremony.
Among the projects commissioned by the Governor were an ultra-modern female hostel and a 700-capacity multipurpose hall, facilities expected to strengthen student accommodation and provide additional space for academic, administrative and other university activities.
The commissioning formed one of the major highlights of the historic combined convocation held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the university’s convocation ground in Jalingo.
The ceremony brought together four graduating sets and attracted graduands, parents, academics, traditional rulers, government officials, university administrators and other dignitaries from within and outside Taraba State.
Governor Kefas, who is Visitor to the university, was joined at the ceremony by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Dr. Mike Dio Jen; Pro-Chancellors; Vice-Chancellors; Provosts; Rectors; Commissioners; members of Governing Councils and Senate, as well as senior government officials.
Also present was the Overseeing Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Dr. Hamidu Ahmed Kara, alongside officials of the ministry, traditional rulers, students, parents and members of the university community.
The convocation also witnessed the formal induction of the newly appointed Chancellor of Taraba State University, the Gangwari of Ganye, His Royal Highness Alhaji Umaru Adamu Sanda, OON.
The Registrar of the university, Dr. Joseph U. Bibinu, conducted the proceedings leading to the formal induction of the Chancellor.
In his remarks, Alhaji Sanda expressed appreciation to Governor Kefas for finding him worthy to serve as Chancellor of the university and pledged to contribute towards its continued growth and development.
He said he was optimistic that with sustained support from the state government and cooperation among the university’s stakeholders, Taraba State University could strengthen its position as a leading institution of higher learning and centre of excellence.
The Chancellor appreciated the Governor, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Vice-Chancellor, Senate, management, staff, students and other members of the university community for the reception accorded him.
He described the convocation as a celebration of years of academic work, sacrifice and perseverance and congratulated the graduands on attaining an important milestone in their lives.
Waziri Hails Government’s Investment in Education
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ambassador Idris A. D. Waziri, CON, described the combined convocation as a landmark in the history of Taraba State University.
Waziri commended Governor Kefas for what he described as the administration’s commitment to the development of the university and the wider education sector.
According to him, bringing together the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th sets for the combined ceremony represented an important moment in the academic journey of the institution.
He said sustained government investment and institutional cooperation would be necessary for the university to consolidate its achievements and respond to emerging demands in tertiary education.
TSU Records Full Accreditation for 72 Programmes — VC
Giving an account of developments in the university, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sunday Paul Bako said Taraba State University had recorded progress in accreditation, academic development, infrastructure and national visibility.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, 72 academic programmes of the university have attained full accreditation, including programmes assessed by relevant professional bodies.
Prof. Bako described the accreditation record as a major achievement for the university, noting that accreditation remains fundamental to the credibility of academic programmes and the future of students graduating from them.
He said the institution was growing rapidly and positioning itself to compete more effectively with other universities in Nigeria.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the university’s reported ranking of 91st among 310 universities in Nigeria, saying the development demonstrated its increasing national visibility.
He attributed some of the progress recorded by the institution to the support of the Taraba State Government.
Bako said the Kefas administration had provided necessary funding for the university and approved the mainstreaming of earned academic allowances into the monthly salaries of staff.
He also acknowledged the impact of the administration’s education policies on access to tertiary education.
Despite the achievements, however, the Vice-Chancellor said the university still required additional infrastructure and facilities to adequately respond to its growing student population and expanding academic programmes.
He appealed for more facilities to improve teaching, learning, research and the general academic environment.
TSU Makes NUGA Debut
Prof. Bako also highlighted Taraba State University’s growing involvement in sporting activities, disclosing that the institution participated in the Nigerian Universities Games Association, NUGA, competition for the first time.
According to him, athletes representing the university recorded notable performances and returned with medals, including silver medals.
He said the participation demonstrated the institution’s determination to develop students beyond the classroom by encouraging sporting excellence and other extracurricular activities.
Kefas: University Education Should Not Be for the Rich Alone
Addressing the convocation, Governor Kefas said his administration remained committed to expanding access to education and strengthening Taraba State University.
The Governor recalled that his administration inherited several challenges when it assumed office in 2023, including financial constraints, deteriorating infrastructure, insecurity, difficulties within the education sector and inadequate healthcare facilities.
He said Taraba State University was itself facing significant challenges that required urgent intervention.
According to Kefas, his administration decided to confront the problems rather than allow them to continue undermining the institution.
The Governor said one of the steps taken by his government was the reduction of tuition fees, based on the conviction that university education should not become an exclusive privilege available only to children of wealthy families.
He said qualified students, irrespective of their economic backgrounds, should have a reasonable opportunity to obtain higher education.
Kefas also disclosed that the government had supported the accreditation of several academic programmes and facilitated important professional requirements for students.
He cited the approval for the induction of Medical Laboratory Science students and efforts that enabled law graduates of Taraba State University to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.
The Governor assured the university that his administration would continue to provide support necessary for its development.
He, however, stressed that government support must be accompanied by transparency, accountability and responsible management of available resources.
Governor Challenges TSU to Become Problem-Solving University
Beyond infrastructure and accreditation, Governor Kefas challenged Taraba State University to strengthen its relevance to the social and economic development of Taraba State.
He said the institution must go beyond producing graduates and awarding certificates to become a university capable of identifying and providing solutions to challenges confronting the state.
The Governor particularly pointed to agriculture and the enormous natural and economic resources available across Taraba.
With the state’s vast agricultural potential, Kefas said the university should increasingly direct research, innovation and intellectual resources towards improving productivity, creating value chains and unlocking economic opportunities.
He called for stronger connections between academic research and the everyday needs of communities.
According to him, universities must demonstrate their relevance not merely by the number of students they graduate but also by the solutions they provide to society.
‘Become Job Creators, Not Job Seekers’
Turning to the graduands, Governor Kefas congratulated them on successfully completing their academic programmes after years of sacrifice, discipline and perseverance.
He told them that graduation represented the beginning of another phase of life rather than the end of their learning journey.
The Governor noted that the graduates were entering society at a challenging period characterised by unemployment and other economic pressures.
He therefore urged them not to depend entirely on government employment and conventional white-collar jobs.
Kefas challenged the graduates to become entrepreneurs, innovators and employers by applying the knowledge and skills acquired during their years at the university.
He encouraged them to identify opportunities within their communities and develop businesses capable of generating income and providing employment for others.
The Governor particularly urged the graduates to explore Taraba State’s largely untapped agricultural, economic and natural resources.
He said entrepreneurship, innovation and productive engagement would be increasingly important in addressing unemployment and building sustainable livelihoods.
Kefas also urged the graduands to remain disciplined and responsible ambassadors of Taraba State University wherever they find themselves.
Female Hostel, Multipurpose Hall Commissioned
The commissioning of the ultra-modern female hostel and the 700-capacity multipurpose hall added an infrastructure dimension to the convocation.
The female hostel is expected to increase accommodation capacity for students and help address some of the pressures associated with the university’s expanding population.
The multipurpose hall is also expected to provide additional space for academic programmes, conferences, meetings, examinations and other university functions.
The projects come as the institution continues to seek additional infrastructure to accommodate its expanding programmes and student population.
Governor Kefas reiterated that his administration would continue working with the Governing Council and Management to improve the university.
Four Sets Celebrate Academic Milestone
The combined convocation provided an opportunity for graduates of the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th sets to formally celebrate the completion of their academic programmes.
For many of the graduands and their families, the ceremony marked the culmination of years of academic work and sacrifice.
The event featured the conferment of degrees across different academic disciplines, goodwill messages and other traditional convocation activities.
The gathering also brought together past and present leaders of the institution, members of academia, government officials and traditional institutions.
The successful hosting of four graduating sets at one ceremony was described by speakers as an indication of the university’s efforts to clear outstanding convocations and consolidate its academic calendar.
Governor Kefas commended the Governing Council, Senate, Management and staff of Taraba State University for successfully organising the combined ceremony.
As Taraba State University moves beyond the combined convocation, attention is expected to turn to consolidating the institution’s accreditation gains, expanding infrastructure, strengthening research and translating academic knowledge into practical solutions for the development of Taraba State.
