Kogiflame
Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara (CUSTECH) has signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) and bilateral agreements with 10 different organisations for staff and student training.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Engr. Abdulrahaman Asipita Salawu disclosed this on Thursday during press briefing for the Maiden Combined Convocation ceremony coming up this Saturday.
He noted that with a growing array of professional programmes, vibrant academic culture, and transformational partnerships, they are already fulfilling the mandate entrusted to them.
According to him, presently they have 57 approved academic programmes, 44 academic departments, 8 faculties and 1 college with over 5,000 students with control enrolment.
On the graduands statistical overview, a total of 132 students from the pioneer set between 2023/2024, and 134 from the second set between 2024/2025.
On the challengers facing the institution, he maintained that at present, only about 15% of the students can be accommodated on campus, adding that the remaining majority rely on nearby communities for lodging, which sometimes exposes them to transportation and security challenges.
“Expanding hostel capacity is one of our top infrastructural priorities, and we are exploring Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to fast-track the construction of additional hostels. He said
Speaking further he noted that another pressing challenges currently facing the University is land encroachment, saying “at establishment, CUSTECH was allocated 400 hectares of land by the State Government.
“At a crucial time, the Government provided funds to fence 100 hectares, for which we remain deeply grateful. However, soon after the fenced area was completed, land grabbers began encroaching on the remaining 300 hectares, falsely claiming that the University had fenced portions of their land.
According to him the remaining 300 hectares were deliberately reserved for critical future projects, including the University Farm, the Agricultural Research Centre, and areas designated for the University’s future expansion.
He maintained that the encroachment on this land, therefore, poses a direct threat to the long-term vision and to the fulfilment of their academic mandate, particularly in agricultural and environmental research.
He noted that the University has had to demolish several illegal structures, saying that in the process, management and staff have faced threats and harassment from encroachers who have even attempted to disrupt academic activities on the campus
“While we continue to protect our boundaries, a permanent solution is now imperative. We therefore appeal to the Kogi State Government, development partners, and well-meaning individuals to assist us in fencing the entire 400 hectares of university land to forestall future encroachment.
“We also appeal to our traditional rulers to call their subjects to order. The Government and University Management will not fold their arms while public educational land is unlawfully taken over. Let it be known that anyone caught will face the full weight of the law.
“Distinguished guests, securing the University’s land is not just about protecting property, it is about safeguarding the future of science, innovation, and human capital development in Kogi State and Nigeria at large.
He listed other challenges faced by staff and students of the institution to include non-Availability of Banks on Campus, Lack of Staff Quarters and the need for a Pedestrian Bridge whitin the university community.
“The main access road that divides parts of our campus has become a serious pedestrian safety concern. We urgently need a pedestrian bridge to ensure safe crossings for our students and staff. We appeal to the Kogi State Government and philanthropic individuals to support the construction of this vital safety
