The Gombe State Executive Council has approved the allocation of 365 hectares of land for the take-off of the newly established Faculty of Agriculture at the Gombe State University (GSU), Malam Sidi Campus, as part of efforts to boost agricultural education and research in the state.
Commissioner for Information, Culture and Ethical Orientation, Mijinyawa Tilde, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the 49th council meeting chaired by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya
Also approved at the meeting was the completion of Phases I, II, and III of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre in Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area.
The centre, according to the government, is expected to serve as a hub for youth development and leadership training.
Speaking on the new faculty, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas Malle, said the council’s decision is in line with a prior approval on May 26, 2025, for the establishment of the faculty.
To meet National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation standards, the council approved the allocation of land in Garin Tafida, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area, for demonstration farms and hands-on training for students.
“This site will not only serve educational purposes but will also contribute to the diversification of agriculture in the state,” Dr. Malle stated.
Commissioner for Higher Education, Muhammad Shettima Gadam, added that admission into the new faculty has been approved by the NUC, with academic activities set to begin in the 2025/2026 session.
He also revealed plans to secure more land in Kurugu, Kwami Local Government Area, to support future expansion.
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In a related development, the council approved the installation of solar-powered streetlights across newly constructed township roads in the state capital.
Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Tourism, Nasiru Mohammed Aliyu, announced that the contract was awarded to Sigma Electric Nigeria Limited at ₦1.068 billion, with an eight-week completion timeline.
He said the project will improve security, promote nighttime commerce, and enhance the city’s aesthetics.
On water supply challenges in Gombe metropolis, the Commissioner for Environment, Water and Forest Resources, Saidu Fawu, said the state has set up a high-level committee, headed by the deputy governor, to address production, distribution, and revenue collection.
Fawu noted that despite over ₦9 billion invested in water infrastructure since the inception of the current administration, only ₦140 million has been generated in revenue.
He described the figure as unsustainable and emphasized the need to review the water billing system to ensure consistent service delivery.
