In a major milestone for Nigeria’s education sector, the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has officially inaugurated the Governing Council and Principal Officers of the newly established Federal University of Applied Science, Kachia. The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Education in Abuja, marks a significant step in the government’s push to expand technical and vocational education across the country.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Alausa emphasized that the university’s establishment in Southern Kaduna reflects the administration’s commitment to closing regional educational gaps and promoting national unity. He highlighted the government’s six priority areas in education, which include a strong emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and quality assurance. He assured that the new university aligns perfectly with these priorities and is set to play a key role in equipping young Nigerians with the skills needed for a rapidly evolving job market.
The Kaduna State Government has allocated over 200 hectares of land for the institution, with a Certificate of Occupancy already secured. The Minister directed that the first batch of students be admitted by September 2025, urging education regulatory bodies such as JAMB and NUC to expedite the necessary processes to facilitate enrollment. He also instructed the Vice-Chancellor to immediately establish essential administrative frameworks, assuring that financial resources have been secured to ensure a smooth takeoff.
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Notably, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah was appointed as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board, while Professor Qurix Williams Barnabas will serve as the Vice-Chancellor. In his remarks, Bishop Kukah commended the Federal Ministry of Education for its proactive efforts, noting that with this new institution, 60% of Southern Kaduna’s educational challenges have been addressed. He further revealed that the region boasts over 200 professors, encouraging young Nigerians to take advantage of this new learning opportunity.
Security and Governance Support
Recognizing education as a crucial tool for peacebuilding, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the sector. He pledged security support for the university, stressing that education remains a key non-kinetic approach to national stability. Similarly, Senator Sunday Marshall Kaltung hailed the university as a “new dawn for Southern Kaduna”, describing its establishment as a transformative moment for the region’s development.
Vision for Excellence
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Qurix Williams Barnabas, assured that the institution would strive for excellence, describing it as “a seed planted for future generations.” Expressing deep gratitude to President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Minister Alausa, he vowed to position the university among Nigeria’s leading
Centers for technical and applied sciences
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Rakiya Iliya, Director of University Education at the Ministry, underscored the historic nature of the event, noting that for the first time, the Governing Council and Principal Officers were inaugurated collectively, signaling a unified vision for the university’s governance.
With this inauguration, the Federal University of Applied Science, Kachia is set to open its doors, bringing new opportunities for technical and vocational education while addressing educational and economic disparities in Southern Kaduna and beyond.
