Introduction to universities in Bauchi state
The low number of universities in Bauchi State is a wake-up call for the government, organizations, and individuals to do better with their investment in tertiary education. The development, growth, and status of societies are reflective of the level and degree of education prevalent in that society.
Generally, the population of people seeking admission to universities keeps skyrocketing, with little structure on the ground to meet up to this demand. This has denied a lot of youths the opportunity to further their education.
Also, our responsibilities as individuals and government, shouldn’t just end with building universities but providing a convenient learning environment for our youths.
There are only two universities in Bauchi state, a federal university, and a state university. In this article, we will provide everything you need to know about these two universities in Bauchi state. This will be very helpful for those aspiring to further their education in Bauchi.
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University is a federal university established in 1980 as the Federal University of Technology, Bauchi. The federal university is located in Bauchi, in the NorthEast region of Nigeria. It was named after Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the first prime minister of Nigeria.
The first set of students admitted into Abubakar Tafawa Balewa started as remedial and pre-degree students in October 1981. The degree programs of the school of science and science education commenced in October 1982.
The university was merged with Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria in 1984. A demerger happened in 1988, and the university gained autonomy and was renamed Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University’s motto is Doctrina Mater Artium, meaning Education is the mother of the practical arts. The university has a ceremonial chancellor and a vice-chancellor who oversees the whole activities of the university. The current vice-chancellor Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University is Professor Muhammad A. AbdulAzeez.
The university has been officially accredited by the National Universities Commission. They have an undergraduate population of over 10,000. Admission into this institution is quite competitive and requires applicants to have a high jamb score.
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University School Fees
The total fees paid by undergraduates of Tafawa Balewa University differ slightly among freshers and returning students. The average fee paid by freshers is about N 44,250 while that for returning students is about N 39,500. This is excluding accommodation fees and acceptance fees for freshers.
The school fees for spillover students are also different from non-spillover students.
Faculties and Departments of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University has about 30 departments, 6 faculties, 8 directorates, and 7 centers. Each faculty is managed by a dean. The faculties include:
● Faculty of Science
● Faculty of Engineering & Engineering Technology
● Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology
● Faculty of Environmental Technology
● Faculty of Management Technology
● Faculty of Technology Education, and
● A College of Medicine, which is headed by a provost.
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University has two directorates that provide academic support to the university. They include:
● Directorate of Basic and Remedial Studies
● General Studies Directorate
The faculties are spread across the two campuses of the university- the main (Gubi) campus and Yelwa campus. The Faculty of Engineering & Engineering Technology, the Faculty of Environmental Technology, and the Faculty of Science are located at Yelwa campus while the others are located at Gubi campus.
Programs offered at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
The university offers various kinds of programs including, postgraduate program, undergraduate program, L.V.T program, IJMB program, remedial program, diploma program, and higher diploma program.
To get admission into their undergraduate programs, you must meet the required cut-off mark for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, and have a minimum of 5 credits in SSCE or its equivalent.
The postgraduate programs of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University are allegedly ranked as one of the best for postgraduate students. The postgraduate programs offered at this university include postgraduate diplomas, master’s degrees, and Ph.D. programs.
A graduate of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University or other recognized universities with a minimum of third class honors degree can apply for the university’s postgraduate diploma program. HND holders with a minimum of lower credit from recognized institutions of learning can also apply.
The requirements for their master’s program are more demanding than that of the postgraduate diploma program. Candidates with a second class honors degree, CGPA of 2.4 and above plus three years post-graduation, third class honors degree plus five years post-graduation, can apply for the program. Applicants with a postgraduate diploma degree or Higher National Diploma can also apply for their master’s program.
For their doctorate program, applicants must be master’s degree holders in a related field from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University or other recognized universities.
Bauchi State University, Gauda
Bauchi State University is a state-owned university founded in 2011. The state university which is headquartered in Gadau (main campus) in Bauchi, in the northern part of Nigeria, has other campuses in Misau, Bauchi, and Jama’are.
After setting up various implementation and planning committees for the establishment of Bauchi State University by the previous state government, a law establishing the university was finally passed by the Bauchi State House of Assembly and it was approved by Governor Isa Yuguda on 31 December 2010.
Today, the school has about 21,180 students enrolled in all their academic programs. The current vice-chancellor of the university is Professor Auwalu Uba. The university claims to provide an environment conducive to freedom of thoughts and expression, for the good of mankind. Its motor in English is being interpreted, knowledge is the foundation of progress.
Bauchi State University School Fees
The school fees for undergraduates for the 2022/2023 academic session at Bauchi State University varies, depending on if the individual is an indigene or a new student.
The school fees for non-indigenes undergoing an undergraduate program at Bauchi State University are higher than those for indigenes.
While indigenes pay between N 20,000 – N26,000 as a new student, non-indigenes pay between N 40,000 – N 52,000. For returning students, indigenes pay between N 18,000 – N 21,000 while non-indigenes pay between N 30,000 – N 42,000.
Faculties and Departments in Bauchi State University
Bauchi State University has about 36 departments in 10 faculties spread across the 3 campuses of the university. These faculties includes:
● Faculty of Law
● Faculty of Medicine
● Faculty of Art
● Faculty of Education
● Faculty of Science
● Faculty of Agriculture
● Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science
● Faculty of Environmental Science
● Faculty of Engineering
● Faculty of Social and Management Science
Programs Offered at Bauchi State University
Bauchi State University offers different programs including:
● Undergraduate Regular and Part-time
● Postgraduate
● Remedial
For the undergraduate program, a minimum of 5 credits pass in SSCE and a stipulated JAMB score is needed to get admission.
The postgraduate program covers about 36 areas in 3 faculties. The program includes the postgraduate diploma, master’s degree program, and doctorate program.
Conclusion
Finally, all this information provided in this article will have no use, when it is not utilized effectively. Remember, there are lots of applicants aspiring to be a student of one of the two universities in Bauchi. For you to stand out from your competitors, you need to do things differently. Also, don’t rely solely on information from this article. You can visit the individual website of the school and read their news section. This will go a long way in helping you stay updated on the latest from the school.
In addition, the government and patriotic citizens still have lots of work to do with tertiary education in Bauchi state. There is an urgent need for more universities in the state to meet up with the large numbers of admission seekers in the state and country at large.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Universities are in Bauchi State?
- There are two universities in Bauchi state, while one is a federal university, the other is a state-owned university.
Is there a federal university in Bauchi?
- Yes. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University is a federal university located in Bauchi, in the northeastern part of Nigeria.
How many campuses does ATBU have?
- The university has two campuses – the main campus (Gubi) and the Yelwa campus.
Does ATBU offer medicine and surgery?
- Yes, it does. However, medicine and surgery at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University are very competitive.
What is the cut-off mark for Bauchi State University?
- The JAMB cut-off mark for Bauchi State University is 170. Applicants are also expected to choose the institution as their first choice in their JAMB application and also have a minimum of 5 credit passes in one sitting in the relevant O’ level subjects including English and Mathematics.
Akwa Ibom state also has some of the best school in Nigeria. Check out List of Universities in Akwa Ibom state.