The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, has pledged to adopt financial prudence and academic justice in addressing the institution’s challenges.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba, gave the assurance when officials of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union paid him a solidarity visit in his office on Wednesday.

Garba, who expressed delight over the visit, said the university community’s pride lay in seeing ATBU progress in its mandate as a citadel of learning.

According to him, his administration inherited a huge debt profile but has succeeded in offsetting nearly one-third of the loan without taking additional credit.

“When I assumed office, I met a huge amount of debt at the university. I have been able to settle nearly one-third of that loan in the last few months without incurring any fresh loan at all,” he said.

On welfare, the VC disclosed that five luxury buses had been refurbished to ease students’ shuttle between Gubi and Yelwa campuses, while a 32-seater bus was also being prepared to support staff transportation.

He further revealed that six of the 11 grounded tractors owned by the university had been refurbished for this year’s farming season, with two more almost ready.

The intervention, he explained, was to support staff and members of the Bauchi community farming on the campuses at subsidised rates of less than 30 per cent of commercial charges.

Garba also announced that management was working on a seamless promotion process to eliminate delays in staff promotion exercises.

Commending the university community for its support since he assumed office, Garba assured that his administration would continue to uphold transparency and justice in running the institution.

Speaking earlier, the SSANU Chairman, Comrade Sulisma Jatau, praised the VC’s leadership style, particularly in financial prudence, staff and students’ welfare, and academic quality assurance.

He, however, described a recent media campaign against the VC as regrettable, noting that the institution did not deserve negative publicity.

Similarly, the NASU Chairman, Yusuf Yusuf, faulted the escalation of negative reports linking the VC to a Federal Government policy decision on restructuring some faculties and courses.

He explained that the decision, announced by the Pro-Chancellor, was wrongly attributed to the VC, leading to the controversy.

Both unions assured Garba of their continued support in his efforts to reposition the university.

PUNCH recalls that a Bauchi-based group had accused the VC of unilaterally misleading the Governing Council to shut down the Faculty of Management Sciences and some courses in the Faculty of Technology Education, a decision later clarified as a directive from the Federal Government.

The Airtel Africa Foundation, in collaboration with UNICEF, has unveiled an ambitious plan to directly impact over 10 million lives across the continent by 2030 through education, digital inclusion, environmental sustainability, and financial literacy programmes.

The announcement was made on Tuesday at a press conference in Lagos State, where the foundation was formally launched.

In his opening address, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said the foundation was committed to improving Africa’s socio-economic landscape through education and digital empowerment.

“We gather today to officially present the Airtel Africa Foundation to the world. This foundation carries forward our tradition of social investment and multiplies its reach with a sharper focus, a stronger platform, and a groundbreaking vision.

“For the first time, the world will see in one frame the projects we are delivering across the continent. These initiatives are already catching light in classrooms, in hospitals, in rural communities, and in cities, where digital access determines the difference between stagnation and opportunity,” he said.

Balsingh explained that the foundation was equipping schools with devices, internet connectivity, and teacher training to prepare young Africans for self-reliance in the digital economy.

Also speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, Sunil Taldar, described the goal as both a business imperative and a guiding philosophy.

“We have visited over 1,200 schools, impacted more than one million students, and trained 17,000 teachers in digital education across our 14 markets. A very large portion of the foundation’s investment will go into Nigeria,” Taldar stated.

Since its inception in July 2024, the foundation has been active in Nigeria and 13 other African countries, bridging the digital divide, equipping young people with 21st-century skills, and promoting economic resilience.

Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, described the initiative as a catalyst for change and a lasting legacy.

“What makes you rich is not what you have, but what you give,” he said.

Ogunsanya highlighted the foundation’s focus on creating pathways to higher learning through zero-rated educational platforms, device donations, and school refurbishment projects.

“We’ve given IT materials to teachers, installed smart TVs in classrooms, and reconstructed six schools across Nigeria — one in each region. Our target is to reach 10 schools for a geo-balanced impact,” he said.

The foundation has also introduced the Airtel Africa Fellowship, which offers full undergraduate scholarships in technology and STEM fields, mentorship opportunities, internships, and exchange programmes to groom Africa’s next generation of innovators.

“Beyond building schools, we are supporting students who cannot afford school fees through scholarships, and we are working towards building a major tech hub in Nigeria. Currently, we are sponsoring two Nigerian students in a university in India, and I am pleased to announce that 100 additional scholarships will be awarded to Nigerians,” Ogunsanya revealed.

He added that Airtel employees are central to the mission, with more than 1,100 staff volunteering their expertise for mentorship, coaching, and community projects across Africa.