We spend N100m monthly to run Bayero University – VC

The Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano (BUK), Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, has expressed deep concern about the institution’s financial challenges.

According to him, the university has received only N15 million as upkeep funds while grappling with monthly operational costs exceeding a staggering N100 million.

Abbas made this comment during a courtesy call by members of the Kano Correspondents Chapel on Thursday.

The VC pointed out that on a daily basis, the university’s management spends over N150,000, a situation that has become nearly untenable for sustaining operations.

The Vice Chancellor cited the institution’s decision to raise the registration fee, which, despite being the lowest across the country at N95,000, was deemed necessary to ensure the university’s continued functioning with fewer difficulties.

Advertisement

To mitigate the impact of the fee hike on university staff members who have students attending the institution, the management implemented various welfare initiatives.

One such initiative is a loan scheme allowing staff to borrow with the university settling accrued interests.

Also, a Welfare package was introduced that involves purchasing food items for staff, with repayment scheduled over a six-month period.

Addressing the financial hardships faced by students, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas revealed that the university secured scholarships for 500 students struggling to cover the registration fee.

“We are fully aware of the condition of our people, most people are not financially comfortable. That is why it took us over six months to come up with a figure which is the minimum required to provide services to the student.

“We did not increase the registration fees to make money. We are trying our best to make life easier for our students by widening the scope to allow students attend classes before registration,” Abbas said

“I consider journalists important and relevant to the development of any nation,” he said, adding that the management of the university will review the deadline of closure for the 2023/2024 academic portal for registration.

In his response, Aminu Garko, Chairman of the Kano Correspondents Chapel, expressed their readiness to collaborate with the university in advancing the growth of the institution, which holds the fourth position in Nigeria’s university rankings and stands as the premier university in the northern region.