Zulum Approves Renaming Of Borno Varsity To Kashim Ibrahim Varsity.
The Borno State Executive Council has approved the renaming of Borno State University to Kashim Ibrahim University. The decision was made in tribute to Sir Kashim Ibrahim, who was the first governor of Northern Nigeria.
This pivotal decision was announced following a marathon session of the State Executive Council, which convened for its first meeting of 2025 under the leadership of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum. Held at the Government House Council Chamber, the meeting, which spanned over six hours, tackled numerous issues crucial to the state’s development.
Professor Usman Tar, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, briefed the press after the meeting, detailing that the council had considered 42 memos, reflecting on the state’s performance in 2024 and setting agendas for the coming year.
The renaming of the university, however, was one of the headline decisions. “Council approved that Borno State University shall be renamed Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri,” Tar stated. He further clarified that this change would require legislative action by the State Assembly to amend the university’s founding law, alongside notifications to regulatory bodies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
In addition to the university’s renaming, the council also approved initiatives for urban renewal in Maiduguri and other urban areas, focusing on street naming and house numbering. “Maiduguri is fast developing; there are a lot of new buildings, public roads, and other facilities that need to be renamed,” Tar explained. He added that the state would collaborate with local agencies, including the Nigerian Postal Service and the Nigerian Geological Survey, as well as traditional leaders and community chiefs to devise a new naming template.
These new names will eventually be updated on platforms like Google Maps, enhancing the state’s urban planning and governance efforts, Tar noted.
Governor Zulum, in his address to the council, expressed gratitude for the commitment of the council members and stressed the state’s ongoing efforts towards post-conflict and post-flood recovery. “In 2024, my administration achieved significant progress in the implementation of government programmes and projects, and I am committed to doing even more in 2025,” he affirmed.
The meeting also served as a farewell to the outgoing Head of Service, Barrister Malam Fannami, who is set to retire later this month. The council acknowledged his contributions and service to Borno State’s development.
This renaming and other policy decisions stand as a testament to Governor Zulum’s vision for a revitalised Borno State, aiming to foster a sense of pride in its historical figures while pushing forward with development initiatives.
