Professor Abubakar Abdulrasheed, yesterday, resigned as Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Making the announcement in Abuja during issuance of a provisional licence to Kogi State University, Kabba, the don hinted that he is returning to lecture at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

Abdulrasheed was the institution’s vice chancellor in 2010, a position he held till 2015. In 2016, he was appointed NUC executive secretary helmsman.

He is reputed to have issued the highest number of licences to both private and state-owned universities in the history of the commission.

Abdulrasheed described the new university as his last baby in the organisation, having licensed numerous tertiary institutions during his seven-year tenure.

Presenting the letter of approval to Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in Abuja, the outgone ES said the university was 62nd state government-owned institution in the country.

He, therefore, notified the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) of the establishment of the ivory tower.

His words: “On behalf of the Commission, with effect from June 26, 2023, Kogi State University, Kabba has been recognised as the 62nd state-owned university in the country.”

Earlier, the governor said the bill establishing the university had been passed by the House of Assembly.

Disclosing that mechanisms are in place to birth the institution, Bello expressed hope that the first set of students would be admitted before expiration of his tenure in office.

He said the establishment of the university was to satisfy the age-long desire of the people of Kogi West Senatorial District.