By Our Correspondent

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 12 new undergraduate and postgraduate academic programmes for Sa'adu Zungur University (SAZU), in Bauchi State.

The approval, which takes effect from the 2026/2027 academic session, was conveyed in a letter dated June 15, 2026, following a comprehensive resource verification exercise conducted by the Commission.

The assessment evaluated the University's readiness to mount the programmes, with emphasis on the availability of qualified academic staff, physical infrastructure, library resources, laboratories and other facilities required to meet the Commission's minimum academic standards.

The newly approved undergraduate programmes are B.A. (Ed.) Arabic, B.A. (Ed.) Hausa, B.A. (Ed.) Islamic Studies, B.A. Sharia, B.Sc. Social Work, B.Sc. (Ed.) Agricultural Science, B.Sc. (Ed.) Human Kinetics, B.Sc. (Ed.) Health Education and B.Ed. Educational Management.

At the postgraduate level, the Commission approved the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), as well as Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Law, and Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Sociology.

Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Fatimah Tahir, described the approval as a significant milestone in the institution's academic expansion and a vote of confidence in its capacity to deliver quality university education.

She said the approval reflects the University's commitment to maintaining high academic standards, complying with regulatory requirements and expanding access to quality higher education.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the introduction of the new programmes aligns with the University's strategic vision of strengthening research, innovation and human capital development while producing graduates equipped to address contemporary national and global challenges.

Professor Tahir expressed appreciation to the National Universities Commission for its rigorous assessment and confidence in the University's preparedness to run the approved programmes.

She also commended the Executive Governor of Bauchi State and Visitor to the University, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, CON, for his sustained support for the institution through investments in infrastructure, academic development and institutional growth.

The Vice-Chancellor equally acknowledged the contributions of the Governing Council, Senate, Management, academic and non-academic staff, whose collective efforts, she said, contributed to the successful outcome of the resource assessment exercise.

She assured prospective students and other stakeholders that the University would provide the necessary human and material resources to ensure the successful implementation of the newly approved programmes in line with the quality assurance requirements of the National Universities Commission.

The approval further strengthens Sa'adu Zungur University's academic offerings and reinforces its position as one of Nigeria's emerging public universities committed to excellence in teaching, research, innovation and community service.