The Senate is seeking for the Nigerian Army University Campuses be sited in the six Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria.
The Senate Committee on Army on Tuesday there urged the Nigerian Army and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to consider the decentralization of the Nigerian Army University in Biu, Borno State.
The Committee made the demand at a public hearing on the establishment of the institution in Abuja.
Chairman of the Senate Commission on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, told the leadership of the Nigerian Army led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, that campuses of the institution should be sited in each geopolitical zone of the country.
He said the idea would not only guarantee unity but would further help in mitigating insecurity in the various zones.
Speaking with reporters after the public hearing, Ndume said, “We will consider recommending the establishment of the Nigerian Army University in all the six geopolitical zones in the country.
READ ALSO: Army Dismisses GOC Major General Hakeem Otiki For Stealing
“We have said at the public hearing that it is the best way to go and the Army and NUC agreed with our suggestion.”
Also, a member of the Committee, Senator Uche Ekwunife, said the beneficiary communities where the proposed campuses would be sited, would gladly donate land for the project.
Ekwunife said: “This is a specialized university and first of its kind in Nigeria. Crime has no colour, crime has no religion. Crime is a crime in any part of the country.
“That is why we suggested that we should have campuses in every zone while we have the epicentre in Borno State where the University is already sited.
“It is a noble idea because other committee members supported it. It is right to have specialized schools in all zones.
“It will help us, not only in terms of technological advancement but to also reduce the crime rate.
“It will also unite the country, bring development to the country, it will also stem the crime rate in the country.”
On the admission process, Ndume said the record of the University in the last two years shows that two sets have matriculated once, they are moving to part two now.
He added: “If you look at the admission details, about 80 per cent of the students so far admitted and registered are from other geopolitical zones different from the North East.
“In other Federal Government universities in the country, they set catchment areas but this is not the case here because there is no state of origin here.
“Once you are a Nigerian and you meet the admission requirements, you will be admitted.
“The difference between the Army University and the Nigerian Defence Academy is that any student could go in there either as civilians or military personnel.
“Any Nigerian who wants to further his education in a specialized University is free. It is a unique one.
“You can graduate as civilian or military personnel unlike the NDA that you can only come out as a soldier.”
The Chief of Army Staff said the University will benefit all Nigerians regardless of their geopolitical zone.
He described it is a world-class university that has been approved by the National Universities Commission.
