Nasarawa to Build World’s First University of Public Relations from State Savings — Gov Sule

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has announced that the state government is financing the construction of the world’s first University of Public Relations and Leadership entirely from its savings.

The governor made this known during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) University in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at the event, Governor Sule credited the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating an environment that has enabled the state to attain financial stability and independence.

He explained that Nasarawa State no longer relies on borrowing to execute major projects. According to him, “There was a time when if we needed five billion naira to build a market, we had to issue a bond. Today, even with a 40 billion naira project, we do not borrow. We simply execute it.”

The governor further revealed that the university is being funded from a special savings fund he had quietly built over time, originally intended to support a future administration. However, he said members of the state executive council convinced him to deploy part of the fund for the university project.

“With all respect to my predecessor, I do not want my successor to inherit the kind of situation I met in 2019. But the executive council insisted that part of the savings should be used for this university, and they prevailed,” he said.

Governor Sule disclosed that 50 percent of the contract sum has already been paid to the contractor, with the remaining balance to be sourced from the same savings fund.

Representing the project consultants, Architect Shehu-Tukur outlined the development plan for the 100-hectare site. He said the first phase, covering 16 hectares, would include the senate building, student hostels, and staff residences. He assured that the project would be completed within the agreed timeline, noting that all necessary financial commitments had been fulfilled.

Earlier, NIPR Vice President, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, described the institution as a landmark achievement in higher education. He noted that the university is Nigeria’s first intentionally designed “Triple Helix” institution, integrating government, industry, and academia, and the first specialised university of public relations and leadership in the world.

NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, praised Governor Sule’s leadership and vision, saying the project has placed Nasarawa State on the global stage. He remarked that the initiative signals the state’s transition from the margins to the centre of global relevance.

Also speaking, former governor of the state and Senator, Abdullahi Adamu, congratulated the government and people of Nasarawa State for hosting the pioneering institution, describing it as the first of its kind in Africa, if not the world. He pledged his support for the successful delivery of the project.

The university project is a partnership between the Nasarawa State Government, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and international partners.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, senior government officials, local government chairmen led by ALGON Chairman Safiyanu Isa Andaha, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.