The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger state has promoted 104 academic staff within the last three years, the Vice Chancellor, has disclosed.
Speaking during the second combined convocation ceremony of the University at the weekend, Professor Muhammad Nasir Maiturare said out of the number, 37 were elevated to the rank of professors.
“Promotions at IBBUL are up to date with no backlog. Over the last three years the council has approved the promotion of 104 academic staff comprising 37 professors, Senior lecturers and lecturer cadres” he explained.
He said for the non-teaching staff, 558 staff comprising 197 senior and 361 junior staff were promoted within the same period.
Prof Maiturare said regular promotion of staff was essential in the face growing competition among institutions for high standard.
He also disclosed that over 161 staff have benefited from the TETFUND grants for Academic Staff Training and Development (ASTD) .
He said 92 academic staff were trained for PhD, while 69 other staff went for Masters Degree training in the country and overseas.
He lamented the acute shortage of accommodation for both staff and students of the university, explaining that only 40 blocks of houses were available for over 1000 staff.
Niger state Governor Abubakar Bello in his remark said his administration would soon establish special fund for state tertiary institutions, even as he said functional education remained the main factor for a positive change in the development of the country.
“We must move away from lip service and wishful thinking. We should take practical steps to reposition the education sector in the country and not necessarily developing too many conflicting and confusing national education policies,” he said.
