International donor group, MacArthur Foundation Africa, has offered over $15 million support to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to enhance its learning and research for national development.
Its Director, Dr. Kole Shettima, made this known while presenting ABU’s Diamond Jubilee public lecture titled `the Challenges of Quality High Education in Africa’.
Shettima said the foundation was very excited about its interventions at ABU Zaria, saying part of the support for the institution include the installation of fibre optics and linking of the ABU Teaching Hospital, Shika to Samaru and Kongo campuses of the university.
He added that the foundation also supported 67 PhD and 87 Masters’ students among other interventions.
The director appealed to government and other key stakeholders on the need to increase funding and transparency for high education sector in Nigeria.
He explained the transparency and accountability component was to ensure efficiency in service delivery in the sector and stem the `japa syndrome’.
Shettima advised the alumni of Ahmadu Bello University to support its alma-mater towards augmenting government efforts to further salvage the institution from its numerous challenges.
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kabiru Bala, acknowledged the long relationship between the Foundation and ABU, stressing that besides TETFund, no individual, local or international organisation had supported ABU like Mc Arthur Foundation.
He said the university community remained indebted to the Foundation for the support in ICT infrastructure, digitisation and automation of libraries and establishment of the some centres.
Bala said facilities include the Centre for Development Communication; Rural Finance; Veterinary Public Health and Reproductive Health, among others.
