The National Universities Commission (NUC), has granted provisional licence to the Benue State government to establish the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology at Ihugh, Vandeikya local government area of the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Abdullahi Ribadu presented the recognition letter to the governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia on Wednesday in Abuja.

This brings the number of state owned universities in the country to 68 and the total number of universities to 299.

Ribadu who commended the state government’s commitment to expand higher education opportunities for the citizens of Benue state, noted that the new University would boost the youth empowerment drive in the state and promote development that was driven by the requisite knowledge.

The NUC boss expressed optimism that the university would play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education and agriculture in the state which would by extension, further boost national development.

Presenting the academic briefs, physical master plan, and university law to the NUC, the Benue State Governor, Fr. Alia gave assurances that the state would pursue the mandate of the new university with all the zeal that was required.

Represented by the Deputy State Governor, Samuel Ode, he further assured the Commission that in no time, the state would put in place the necessary amenities and the platforms that would enable the university get to the level of academic completion.

While noting that agriculture was the biggest industry in the state and education was in the front line as the second preoccupation of Benue indigenes, the Governor noted that the new university was aimed at responding to the agricultural needs of the state by developing programmes and projects that would match the state’s desire to enhance food production.