The Pro Chancellor of the Federal University of Education Kontagora Prof Francis Fadunyile has said the university is safe for both students and lecturers.
Fadunyile, who admitted that it is true there is insecurity in parts of the country, however, went philosophical, saying the university’s governing council does not pray for any attacks in the school.
The pro chancellor had earlier briefed newsmen on the appointment of the first substantive vice chancellor of the institution, Prof Farouk Haruna, saying the university boasts of the highest number of P.hd holders in the state.
According to Fadunyile, who is also the Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, he further disclosed that Haruna’s appointment as the VC followed the approval from a meeting of the committee of the university’s governing council where he said Haruna passed through a rigorous interview process and emerged successful out of six applicants who had jostled for the position.
He stressed that the new vice chancellor has a wide experience, having worked as a former acting vice chancellor, provost, and chairman of the committee of provosts and was well suited for the appointment.
“We called this meeting because of one important decision that we made today, which is actually the fifth of this first governing council of the university.
“A decision was made about filling the vacant position of our vice chancellor. Today, I am happy to inform the public and the Kontagora community and Niger State that Prof Farouk Rasheed Haruna has been appointed as the first substantive vice chancellor of the Federal University of Education Kontagora.
“Baring any disruptions, it is hoped that by 4th of November 2025, the first Monday of the month of November he should assume duty as the vice chancellor of the Federal University of Education Kontagora,” Faduyile declared.
The pro chancellor who later fielded questions from journalists on the safety concerns of the
university community, especially with concern for students who will be coming from other parts of the country, stressed that the university is safe.
Although, he conceded to the fact that there were security uncertainties in parts of the county.
“I am from Ondo State and I have been to Kontagora many times in the course of my being chairman of governing council and we have people from the different parts of the country and we have been going and coming back and I will tell you for a fact that security issue is a general issue in this country.
“Places that you do not expect, you have security breaches, once in a while. Overall, we pray that God will not allow us to get into that, I can tell you that going to Kontagora is not as risky as people make it sound.
“The truth is that there are some security breaches along the place but people are living there and I can tell you, any of the students wherever they come from they are well protected and they will have the best of learning opportunities. You need to come to the university and I can tell you, you will be amazed at the facilities that we have there.
“I can tell you that the university is one of the universities you have here with the highest number of PhD. lecturers, and we have so many of them. Those who have trained in the country and those who trained abroad. We have so many of them. So, all students are encouraged to come, you’ll find the place loveable, and they will get the best,” he assured the meeting.
Arewa PUNCH reports that the Federal University of Education Kontagora was formerly a college of education. The Act to transform it to a federal university status was signed in 2021, while it started admitting students for academic programmes around March 2025.
Pix: Prof Farouk Haruna newly appointed VC Federal University of Education Kontagora, Niger State
