By Hajara Abdullahi
The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has revealed that the state is utilizing its funds to establish the world’s first Public Relations and Leadership University.
Governor Sule made this disclosure on Friday in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the institution, which is named the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) University.
He stated that the state was able to finance the project without borrowing, attributing the achievement to ongoing fiscal and economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. According to him, the state, which previously could not finance a N5 billion project without taking a bond, can now execute projects worth billions of naira.
“This used to be a state where if we needed just N5 billion to construct a market, we had to go and take a bond. Today, if we have a N40 billion project, we don’t go anywhere to borrow money. We just execute that project,” he said.
The governor explained that members of the State Executive Council had persuaded him to use part of a special savings fund originally set aside for the benefit of future administrations to fund the university’s construction.
He added that 50 per cent of the total contract sum had already been paid upfront to the contractor from the savings, while the balance would also be sourced from the same fund.
Speaking at the event, the President of the NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, commended Governor Sule for what he described as his ability to translate vision into tangible achievements. He said the project would place Nasarawa State on the global map of education and professional training.
“You are sending a powerful message, not only to Nigeria but to the entire world, that Nasarawa State is no longer at the margins of history. Nasarawa State has become a centre of history,” he said.
The first civilian governor of the state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, also lauded the state government and the people of Nasarawa for hosting such a pioneering institution.
“When I first heard about this university, I congratulated the people of Nasarawa State for hosting an institution that is first of its kind in Africa, if not the entire world,” Adamu said.
In his remarks, the Vice President of NIPR, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, described the project as a monumental achievement in both tertiary education and professional development. He noted that the university would be Nigeria’s first intentionally designed “Triple Helix” institution, integrating government, industry, and academia.
“Your Excellency, this is the first specialised university in the world dedicated to public relations and leadership,” he stated.
The project consultant, Arc. Shehu Tukur, explained that the university would be developed on a 100-hectare site, with the first phase covering 16 hectares. He said the initial phase would include the senate building, student hostels, staff lodges, and other critical infrastructure.
“We assure you that the contract period will not be exceeded because whatever you are supposed to do with us, you have already done it. We are fully committed to delivering the project in line with your vision,” he added.
According to Punch Newspaper, the university project is a collaboration between the Nasarawa State Government, the NIPR, and international partners.