In a landmark moment for higher education in Nigeria, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, on Thursday officially unveiled a state-of-the-art International Conference Centre at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
The multi-million-naira facility — abandoned for years — has now been completed under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at driving national development, boosting global competitiveness, and fostering financial sustainability in Nigerian universities.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, held at the university’s new site, Echono emphasized the strategic importance of the project:
“We want to equip our institutions to compete with the best globally. When you have a modern facility like this, it not only uplifts standards but also positions the university as a hub for research, innovation, and high-level engagements,” he said.
The TETFund boss revealed that in the last two years, the agency introduced a targeted intervention line to revive abandoned and distressed projects nationwide, completing a significant number of them. He described the new conference centre as an “iconic architectural masterpiece” that will generate revenue, attract world-class conferences, and enhance BUK’s profile internationally.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Adamu Abbas, expressed deep appreciation to TETFund for its unwavering support, noting that the facility boasts more than 38 accommodation rooms, spacious halls, open-air event spaces, and advanced amenities required of an international-standard conference venue.
He traced the vision for the centre back to former Vice Chancellor Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, who conceived the project over 15 years ago. Prof. Abbas urged future university leadership to ensure the facility remains dedicated to its intended purpose.
With its commissioning, the International Conference Centre is set to become a magnet for academic, business, and cultural gatherings — symbolizing not just a revival of infrastructure, but a renewed commitment to excellence in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
