The Federal Government has approved N2 billion for the establishment of Nigerian Army University, BIU, Borno state.
Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Abdullahi Baffa, disclosed this when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, visited the headquarters of the agency, on Monday, in Abuja.
Dr. Baffa said approval for the take-off funds was given by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The executive secretary said the establishment of a university for the military in the country was overdue.
He said: “The Nigerian Army University is the newest of the TETFund family. Approval of a take-off grant of N2 billion has been conveyed to TETFund and we are going to issue the allocation letter immediately the 2018 intervention guidelines are approved and released to the Fund.
“We have already made provisions for the take-off grant of the Nigerian army university, Biu in the 2018 intervention budget. So you are going to get that allocation as quickly as the approval is released.”
He commended the military in its fight against terrorism in the country.
Baffa said: “I also want to congratulate the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the entire Nigerian army in the tremendous successes that are being recorded in the fight against insurgency, militancy, rustling, brigandage and in the fight to keep Nigeria one.
“Congratulations for such huge successes that are being recorded and we will continue to see them record more success in their quest to keep us safe, to keep our country one.
“It is only a purposeful and committed leadership that will produce this type of result.”
Buratai said the university would be tailored to meet the needs of the military.
He said: “The Nigerian army has gone ahead to see to the need for us to have such a university that will tailor our needs in some specific innovative as well as some solution centre in science and technology.
“This will go a long way in developing our country and developing the technological and indeed developing the scientific base of our country by which we will progress in the right direction.