Borno State is no stranger to rebuilding itself from the ground up. But on June 10, 2025, something truly symbolic happened: Governor Babagana Umara Zulum handed over the College of Education (COE) Bama site to serve as the temporary campus for Nigeria’s newest Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama (FUAEB). This act wasn’t just another ribbon-cutting ceremony. It’s a bold statement that Borno is ready to move beyond conflict by equipping its people with tools that matter: agricultural skills, entrepreneurial know-how, and access to higher education right at the heart of a region long battered by insurgency. The handover sets in motion a plan to transform Bama into a hub for modern agribusiness learning and youth empowerment. It’s a testament to Zulum’s style — practical, urgent, and people-centered. This deep-dive unpacks how the handover came to be, the politics and partnerships that made it possible, and, most importantly, what it means for everyday families in Borno and Nigeria’s future food security.
Background: From COE Bama to Federal Agriculture University
The College of Education, Bama, has a long story woven into Borno’s recovery narrative. It was established primarily to train teachers for primary and secondary schools across the state. But like many institutions in northeastern Nigeria, COE Bama bore the brunt of the Boko Haram insurgency. At the peak of the crisis, the college had to shut down as Bama town fell under insurgent control, displacing staff and students alike.
Post-insurgency recovery efforts under Governor Zulum prioritized reopening and rebuilding schools as a pillar of stabilizing local communities. COE Bama gradually resumed operations, albeit in challenging circumstances — damaged infrastructure, fluctuating security, and limited resources.
Then came a bigger vision: the idea to convert COE Bama into the launchpad for a federal university dedicated to agriculture and entrepreneurship. This idea was not accidental. Northeast Nigeria holds vast arable land, but underutilization and conflict have stifled food production. Equipping local youth with modern farming and agribusiness skills could tackle unemployment and rebuild livelihoods.
In 2024, the National Assembly passed a bill to establish the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama (FUAEB). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed it into law in January 2025. With that, COE Bama’s role shifted from just training teachers to nurturing a new generation of agricultural innovators and entrepreneurs.
The Handover Ceremony: Key Highlights
On June 10, 2025, Governor Zulum officially handed over the entire site and facilities of COE Bama to the Federal Government. The event was held at the Borno State Government House in Maiduguri, attended by traditional rulers, community leaders, state officials, and education stakeholders.
Zulum spoke with urgency and a sense of responsibility. He stressed that by handing over COE Bama, the state was fulfilling its pledge to provide a temporary take-off site for the new university, allowing academic activities to commence immediately without the delays that usually plague new federal schools.
He also assured the people of Bama and the entire state that COE Bama would not disappear. Instead, plans are underway to relocate the college to a nearby technical college site so it can continue its original mandate alongside the university’s launch.
In attendance, the Shehu of Bama, Dr. Umar Ibn Kyari El‑Kanemi, expressed deep gratitude. He described Zulum as “our own son” and praised his relentless commitment to uplifting Bama despite security and infrastructural setbacks.
The event wasn’t only about the symbolic keys being handed over. It cemented Borno’s position as a state ready to collaborate with the Federal Government to address two pressing national issues: food security and youth unemployment.
Why a Federal Agriculture and Entrepreneurship University Matters
Nigeria’s agriculture sector remains paradoxical: vast fertile lands, yet underperforming in productivity. According to the National Bureau of Statistics and the Food and Agriculture Organization, about 70% of Nigeria’s rural workforce depends on farming. Yet, outdated techniques, poor storage, and weak market links persist.
The Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama, is designed to disrupt this pattern. It will train students not just in traditional farming but in climate-smart agriculture, agritech, value chain management, and agro-export entrepreneurship.
For a region like Borno, the stakes are even higher. The insurgency displaced millions, wrecked farmlands, and forced communities to depend heavily on humanitarian aid. Empowering locals with modern agribusiness skills gives them the tools to be self-reliant and economically resilient.
Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, who sponsored the Senate bill, summed it up during the legislative hearing: “This institution will equip our youths with skills and knowledge to thrive in the agricultural sector, create jobs, reduce poverty, and stimulate local economies.”
Moreover, focusing on entrepreneurship means graduates won’t just be job seekers but job creators—launching startups in food processing, packaging, logistics, and export.
Stakeholder Responses
Dr. Umar Ibn Kyari El‑Kanemi, the Shehu of Bama, was profoundly moved during his visit to the Government House, Maiduguri. In words that resonated with pride, he said:
“We are here to express our deepest appreciation for your relentless efforts in actualising the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship for Bama. We are immensely grateful and proud to call you a son of Bama. … We assure you of our continuous support and cooperation.”
Collectively, the Shehu and community delegation praised Governor Zulum’s unwavering commitment, emphasizing how the institution will equip young people with both academic knowledge and practical agricultural skills.
Governor Zulum didn’t hold back. He showered praise on those who made this possible:
• Vice President Kashim Shettima – for steering the bill to become law.
• Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan – the Senate sponsor.
• President Bola Tinubu – for granting assent to the legislation.
He stated:
“Let’s all unite to see to the success of the new university, which will undoubtedly improve the educational development of the state and the betterment of future generations.”
The wider response among leaders underscores the project’s symbolic and practical impact. Traditional and community leaders reaffirmed their commitment, pledging full collaboration. Political stakeholders celebrated the move as a milestone in Borno’s recovery and educational reform.
The statements reveal something deeper: a shared sense of restoration and unity. From symbolic gratitude to strategic endorsements, there’s a collective buy-in. The Shehu’s heartfelt thanks reflect a community healed enough to dream again. Zulum’s appeal for unity highlights an understanding that this university’s success depends on shared vision and cooperation.
