Cynthia Ezegwu
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Michigan State University (MSU), United States, to establish a world-class Faculty of Agriculture at Gombe State University (GSU).
The agreement was formalised during a ceremony on Tuesday at MSU, attended by senior officials including Professor Bradley Marks, Chair of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering; Professor Karim Maredia, Assistant Dean; and other top faculty members.
The partnership will cover joint research initiatives, curriculum co-development, student and faculty exchanges, and collaborative projects in sustainable agriculture, water management, landscape restoration, and renewable energy.
Governor Yahaya described the agreement as a cornerstone of his administration’s drive for sustainable development. “We are leveraging MSU’s world-class expertise to build a premier agricultural institution in Gombe State. While GSU benefits immensely, MSU faculty and students will also gain valuable insight through engagement with Africa’s dynamic agricultural landscape,” he said.
During the visit, the governor also held technical meetings with MSU faculty in agricultural engineering and electrical engineering, toured the South Campus Farms, and engaged with the MSU African Studies Centre and the Alliance for African Partnership.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the project, disclosing that N1.1 billion had been approved for the takeoff of the Faculty of Agriculture in Malam Sidi, with 365 hectares allocated for research and expansion. The National Universities Commission (NUC) has already approved the establishment of the faculty, with academic programmes expected to begin in the 2025/2026 session.
READ ALSO: Renaissance Energy Visits Diri: Bayelsa Gov Seeks Power Plant Partnership
Professor Marks commended Yahaya’s vision, describing the partnership as a transformative academic collaboration.
The governor was accompanied by members of his delegation, including Hon. Aliyu Baba Manu, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations; Barr. Moljengo Kaltungo, a member of the GSU Governing Council; Dr. Ismail Jibrin, Chairman of the Gombe State Drugs Management Agency; and Ahmed Husaini, Director-General of Research and Documentation.
Following the engagements at MSU, Governor Yahaya proceeded to New York to participate in the 80th United Nations General Assembly.