By Terna Chikpa
The Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, Professor Sunday Paul Bako, on Friday said that, through the relentless efforts of Governor Agbu Kefas, the Governing Council and Senate of the university, the institution is now ranked among top universities in terms of growth and expansion across the globe.
Prof. Bako also disclosed that all programmes that were hitherto facing challenges of professional accreditation have been approved to be run in the university.
The Vice-Chancellor spoke while addressing journalists ahead of the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th convocation ceremonies of the institution scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Nigerian Tribune reports that 17,759 undergraduates, including 74 first-class graduates, are set to be convoked.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has fully accredited 72 programmes currently running in the university.
“When I came in as the Vice-Chancellor, my priority was to ensure that Taraba State University is globally recognised by putting all the necessary requirements in place. We first believed that we must make the institution a university that it is supposed to be. We tried to address the primary concerns.
“We first presented 53 programmes, and later submitted others for NUC approval. These programmes have all been accredited.
“In ensuring that Taraba State University produces intellectuals in more critical areas, the community demanded the existence of certain programmes to be run in the university. We identified 53 programmes for consideration.
“After Senate approval and subsequent resource verification and due process by the NUC, the programmes were approved. These approvals do not mean that the programmes have automatically commenced. They will start at the institution’s convenience.
“Although one or two of those programmes, like B.N. in Mineral Resources and Mining, have commenced due to Governor Agbu Kefas’ interest in the programme. We will continue to streamline the programmes as resources permit,” Prof. Bako informed.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended Governor Agbu Kefas, the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and TETFund for their unprecedented efforts towards improving infrastructure development in the institution.
Bako said the efforts had expanded the institution’s ability to accommodate students and administrative activities in the university.
“In terms of governance, we have been trying to strengthen governance and administrative performance within the system by ensuring that the provisions of the university law and guidelines that are relevant to appointments and other regulatory responsibilities are improved.
“Under my watch, the university has improved in infrastructure due to Governor Agbu Kefas’ relentless support. Government has been responsive in improving infrastructure in the institution.
“Through the Governor’s deliberate effort, we have improved in power and energy. The intervention in physical infrastructure has attracted a 700-capacity multipurpose theatre and the female hostel, which will be commissioned soon. The university has also embraced digital accessibility of campus activities with free internet Wi-Fi.
“We have improved in staff training. Our staff have won many awards from TETFund, IBR and others. We have improved students’ wellbeing issues like enhanced access to healthcare, counselling and hostels.
“Our entrepreneurship capacity is expanding the university through the establishment of a mini factory, which is helping to contribute to the university’s IGR,” Prof. Bako continued.
The VC informed that, through the efforts of the Governing Council and the Senate of the university, the institution had established strategic partnerships with other universities across the world to further transform its standards to enable it to compete globally in all areas of academic development.
He expressed that within 15 years of existence, Taraba State University is considered to be one of the universities with rapid growth and expansion.
“Within 15 years, our university is now considered one of the universities with rapid growth and expansion. We have tried to strengthen all the faculties to meet global recognition. The institution is among the top 100 universities in Nigeria, out of 380 universities, in terms of national standings.
“We are visible globally. We are recognised among the top 9,000 universities in the world. My desire is to see TSU being ranked among the top 10 best Nigerian universities and 1,000 in the world,” Prof. Bako aspired.