FUBK Establishment Bill Summary

Federal University Birnin Kebbi (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 224) Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund — Federal Republic of Nigeria

What Is This Bill?

The Federal University Birnin Kebbi (Establishment) Bill is a legislative instrument seeking to formally vest in law the establishment of Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), located in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State. Although FUBK was created by executive action on 18 February 2013 under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and commenced academic activities in 2014, this Bill provides the university with a statutory foundation — conferring corporate status, defining its governance structure, mandating its functions, and providing a durable legal framework for its continued operation and growth. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (concurrent legislative list on university education); Federal Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act; National Universities Commission Act; Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act

The Federal University Birnin Kebbi and its governing bodies The Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Universities Commission (NUC) Academic staff, non-teaching staff, and students of the university Prospective students and communities in Kebbi State and the North-West geopolitical zone Private sector partners, research institutions, and international collaborators

Who Does It Target?

Prospective and current students seeking university education in Kebbi State and the North-West geopolitical zone. Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) academic and administrative staff. The National Universities Commission (NUC) as the regulatory body. The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) as a key funder.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Confer full statutory and corporate legal status on Federal University Birnin Kebbi Establish a clear governance framework including a Governing Council, Vice-Chancellor, Senate, and other statutory officers Expand access to quality federal tertiary education in Kebbi State and the North-West region Mandate the university to pursue excellence in teaching, research, and community service Align FUBK's legal structure with established federal university legislation and NUC standards Ensure sustainable funding, accountability, and long-term institutional stability

Key Features

Corporate Establishment: The Bill formally incorporates FUBK as a body corporate with perpetual succession, a common seal, and the capacity to sue and be sued in its own name. Governing Council: Establishes a Governing Council as the supreme governing body, headed by a Pro-Chancellor, with powers over the university's finances, property, and general policy direction. Vice-Chancellor & Management: Provides for the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor as chief executive and academic head; also establishes Deputy Vice-Chancellor(s), Registrar, Bursar, and University Librarian positions. University Senate: Constitutes a Senate as the principal academic authority, responsible for regulating and supervising the teaching, research, and curriculum of the university. Faculties & Programmes: The university currently operates three faculties and a College of Health Sciences, offering 24 degree programmes, with provision for expansion of faculties and postgraduate studies. Funding Provisions: Defines sources of funding including federal government appropriations, grants, fees, endowments, and internally generated revenues, with accountability to the Auditor-General. Land & Property: Vests existing university lands, assets, and infrastructure — including the permanent site at Unguwar Jeji and the Kalgo takeoff site — in the corporate body.

Current Status

Bill Stage: The Bill passed First Reading on 1 November 2023 and Second Reading on 13 March 2024. A Public Hearing was held by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund, where the Senate President (represented by Sen. Gbenga Daniel) endorsed the bill's importance to bridging educational gaps in Nigeria. Existing University: FUBK is already operational, having commenced academic activities in November 2014 with 507 students and 102 staff. It currently has 450 lecturers, 24 degree programmes, 3 faculties, and a College of Health Sciences — including an MDCN-accredited MBBS programme (accredited November 2024). Governance in Place: FUBK's Governing Council, led by Pro-Chancellor Col. Abdulmumini Aminu (Rtd.), and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar (appointed 2022) are already active pending statutory formalisation. Directorates: The university operates six directorates: Academic Planning, Physical Planning, Research and Innovation, ICT, Entrepreneurship, and Community Service & Business Engagement (CSBE). Campus: Two sites are maintained — the permanent site at Unguwar Jeji (4km from the takeoff site) and the School for Basic and Remedial Studies/Female Hostels at Kalgo, Birnin Kebbi. How to Access / Key Stakeholder Actions Prospective Students: Apply through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Visit fubk.edu.ng for available programmes and registration timelines. Academic & Research Partners: Engage FUBK's Directorate of Research and Innovation or the Vice-Chancellor's office for collaboration and joint research proposals. Legislators & Policy Advocates: Track bill progress at nass.gov.ng or engage the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund for memoranda and public submissions. Investors & Donors: Contact FUBK management or the NUC for endowment and infrastructural development opportunities under the bill's funding framework. Contact: Federal University Birnin Kebbi — [email protected] | +234 8038398925 | PMB 1157, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State | fubk.edu.ng

Important Terms

Corporate Status: Legal recognition of FUBK as a body corporate — giving it the power to enter contracts, own property, and have continuous legal existence independent of individual officeholders. Pro-Chancellor: Chairman of the Governing Council and the ceremonial head of the university; appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Education. NUC: National Universities Commission — the federal body responsible for accrediting and regulating all university programmes in Nigeria; the Bill aligns FUBK operations with NUC standards. TETFund: Tertiary Education Trust Fund — key federal funding vehicle for infrastructure and academic development at federal universities including FUBK.

Impact & Metrics

Kebbi State is one of Nigeria's least educationally served states in the North-West; FUBK was established specifically to remedy this gap under the one-federal-university-per-state policy. The university currently serves over 30 undergraduate programmes across disciplines and recently received MDCN accreditation for its MBBS programme — a significant milestone in health education for the region. Statutory establishment will unlock enhanced TETFund allocations, federal capital grants, and improve FUBK's ability to attract international academic partnerships. A formally established FUBK supports Nigeria's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and NUC's drive to increase university enrolment capacity nationwide.

Official Resources

Bill Document: nass.gov.ng/documents/billdownload/11197.pdf FUBK Website: fubk.edu.ng | Email: [email protected] | Tel: +234 8038398925 National Assembly Bills Tracker: nass.gov.ng/documents/bills National Universities Commission: nuc.edu.ng Summary prepared using the Policy Summary Template | Sources: SB. 224 (NASS 2023), FUBK Official Website, Wikipedia, Leadership Newspaper, Edugist, NUC | March 2026

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (concurrent legislative list on university education); Federal Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act; National Universities Commission Act; Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act