by Edentu Oroso, Publications Unit
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University Otuoke, FUO, Barr. Ali Sa’ad Birnin Kudu, has expressed concern over the security situation within the university and its host community, warning that a safe environment is indispensable to teaching, learning and research.
Barr. Birnin Kudu, a former governor of Jigawa State, made the remark on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, during a courtesy visit by members of the Governing Council and the university’s top management to the Paramount Ruler of Otuoke, His Royal Highness, Ariwarene Engoye Paul Oke XI, at the Pa Lawrence Ebele Jonathan Memorial Hall, Otuoke.
He called for closer collaboration among the university, the traditional institution and the host community to tackle the challenge.
The Council Chairman commended the Otuoke community for its strong cooperation with the university and urged its leaders to keep encouraging their sons and daughters to give their best to the growth of FUO.
He, however, criticised some indigenes of the community who, though employed by the university, rarely report for duty and leave others to do their work.
“This does not augur well for FUO,” he said. “So, encourage your sons and daughters to take their responsibilities seriously.”
Barr. Birnin Kudu stressed that the university operates as a family and that the Council is working to make FUO one of the best in the country, hoping to leave it better than they met it when their tenure ends.
In his response, the Paramount Ruler, the Obanema of Otuoke, His Royal Highness, Ariwarene Engoye Paul Oke XI, said his Traditional Council would examine the issues raised by the Pro-Chancellor with a view to addressing them.
He described relations between the community and the university as one of “great synergy” since the institution’s establishment, noting that the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mebine, had supported several community projects, including the new Otuoke Town Hall, the forthcoming cultural festival and a police post now under construction.
The monarch urged FUO management to site its proposed teaching hospital in Otuoke rather than in Yenagoa, the state capital, and to set aside a modest admission quota for Otuoke indigenes in Law and Medicine programmes.
He also asked the university to increase its support for the community’s Vigilante Group, despite recent donations of security items, and to build a befitting main gate, which he described as substandard in its present state.
On staffing, the Obanema dismissed claims that FUO employees who are Otuoke indigenes seldom report for duty, saying most of them are junior staff rather than principal officers. He nonetheless promised that the Traditional Council would look into the matter.
He further asked management to properly place staff who had been promoted but remained stagnant, and to review the process for changing students’ courses of study so they can pursue their preferred disciplines.
Responding, Professor Mebine clarified that the university does not currently have a teaching hospital. “We don’t have any at the moment,” he said. “It’s the prerogative of the federal government… we’re discussing with the federal government with regards to this, though it is not yet conclusive.”
On admissions, the Vice Chancellor said the Federal Ministry of Education had directed that any university exceeding its approved quota would be sanctioned. He cited Law, which drew over 1,000 applicants for 50 places, as an illustration of how stiff the competition is.
On employment for indigenes, he said the university is currently recruiting teaching staff, particularly in the Faculties of Engineering and the Sciences, adding that the administrative cadre is already saturated.
Professor Mebine said building a new gate would require joint action to clear the area around the entrance, which is crowded with shops owned mostly by Otuoke indigenes. He noted that the land does not belong to FUO and urged the Traditional Council to use its influence to clear the space so that the university could construct a befitting gate.
According to the delegation, the visit was aimed at strengthening the long-standing relationship between the university and its host community.
Established in 2011, Federal University Otuoke sits in the community that is home to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
