By Abdul Kareem

The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has made a fervent appeal to the federal government to reconsider its decision to scrap the Nigerian Army University Biu, following recommendations from the Orosanye Committee report.

The comprehensive 800-page Orosanye report, which has prompted the government of President Bola Tinubu to pursue the scrapping and merging of 220 out of 541 government agencies, has identified the university as a candidate for consolidation into the Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna.

Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri, Governor Zulum acknowledged the federal government’s laudable steps to implement the Oronsaye report for better governance efficiency, but he also highlighted the unique condition of Borno State.

“The decisions taken by the federal government on the Oronsaye report is a very good one, especially on the issue of merger of some federal institutions,” Governor Zulum admits. “But our concern is on the Army University Biu that has been proposed to merge with the Nigeria Defence Academy,” he stated.

The governor emphasized the critical role the Nigerian Army University Biu plays in the region, which has been beleaguered by armed conflict for 15 years, severely affecting educational access.

“This university is very important and critical to the development of the people of Borno state and even beyond,” Zulum said, urging the government to either maintain the university’s status or allow it to transition into a conventional university under the federal Ministry of Education.

According to Governor Zulum, the town of Biu serves as a strategic educational hub, not only for the people of Borno but also for neighboring states such as Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, and Yobe.

The establishment of the Nigerian Army University Biu was an initiative by the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai, in 2016, envisioned as a center for addressing the technological and operational challenges faced by the Nigerian Army through research and innovation.

The federal government’s planned restructuring aims to eliminate redundancies and save approximately N862 billion, a significant fiscal tightening in times of economic scrutiny. However, the governor’s plea brings to light the delicate balance between fiscal efficiency and the socio-economic needs of regions grappling with the long-term impacts of conflict and instability.

The Borno State government, alongside educational advocates and regional stakeholders, awaits the federal government’s response, hoping for a solution that aligns national cost-saving measures with the crucial educational needs of the area’s population.