The National Economic Council Implementation Monitoring Committee has described the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) of Yobe State University as one of the best biomedical research facilities in Africa.
The committee made the commendation on Friday during its monitoring and assessment visit to the university.
The committee was on an inspection tour of the institution’s research facilities and other critical infrastructure.
The delegation, led by the Borno State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Maina Yaumi, toured the university’s library, BioRTC, lecture theatres, classrooms and other academic and physical facilities.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Muhammad Tahir, was represented during the inspection by the University Librarian, Dr Amina Makintami, who conducted the delegation round the institution.
She was accompanied by the Registrar, Alhaji Isa Audu Dallari; Bursar, Alhaji Mala Bulama Buni; Director of Works, Abubakar Dikko; Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Ibrahim Umar; and Head of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Mohammed Musa.
Speaking after the inspection, Yaumi said the committee was impressed by the level of development at the university, adding that it would document its findings and forward identified challenges to the appropriate authorities.
“We’ve gone round the university and, honestly speaking, to our utmost surprise, we are really impressed. We never expected seeing what we have seen.
We are going to document our observations, and where we identified challenges, we will forward them to the appropriate organisations for intervention,” he said.
The committee chairman singled out the BioRTC for special commendation, describing it as an exceptional facility comparable to leading research centres across the continent.
“The BioRTC is exceptional. It is one of the best not only in Nigeria but across Africa. We have not seen anything comparable in many places we have visited,” Yaumi said.
He disclosed that the committee would recommend the centre for presentation to the National Economic Council, saying the facility deserved greater national and international visibility.
“We have asked the Director of BioRTC, Prof Mahmoud Bukar Maina, and management to prepare a proposal so that the State Governor can present it at the National Economic Council.
“Part of our assignment is to identify projects like this because many people do not know that such a facility exists in Yobe State,” he said.
According to Yaumi, greater publicity for the research centre could attract researchers, international funding, investors and development partners to the university.
This is a research centre that can attract international funding. Our report will showcase this facility to the world, attract researchers and investors, and encourage more support for scientific research,” he said.
He also called for increased funding for research activities at the institution, noting that universities should serve not only as centres of learning but also as hubs for research and innovation.
“The management has done its best. What is needed now is more funding because universities are not only for teaching; they are also centres for research,” Yaumi said.
He also commended the university’s academic infrastructure, including its lecture theatres, classrooms and library.
Another committee member, Bala Giade, urged the university management to intensify efforts to secure external funding and publicise its achievements.
“Yobe State University needs to showcase these developments. Even some people within the academic community are unaware that facilities of this standard exist here.
“The management should continue submitting proposals and following them up because what we have seen deserves national and international attention,” Giade said.
Also speaking, a member of the committee, Philip Mustafa Ahmed, commended the university for building on its strength in biomedical research.
“I seriously commend Yobe State University for what it has achieved. The university is maximising its comparative advantage in biomedical research, supported by highly knowledgeable experts and significant investment,” Ahmed said.
He, however, identified visibility as one of the major challenges facing the institution, rather than infrastructure.
“The story has been written; what remains is to tell it. Other states have promoted their achievements in agriculture and other sectors. Yobe State University should also tell its success story in biomedical research.
“For me, this is one of the leading biomedical research facilities in Nigeria, and the world deserves to know it,” he said.
The committee assured the university that its observations and recommendations would be included in a comprehensive report to the National Economic Council for consideration and possible intervention.
The visit is expected to strengthen advocacy for increased investment in higher education, research, innovation and infrastructure development at Yobe State University.
