President Bola Tinubu has appointed Bishop Matthew Hassan-Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State.
The Federal University of Applied Sciences was formerly known as Nok University.
Renamed Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, the original Nok University was founded by Chief Anthony Hassan, a former Director of Finance and Accounts in the Federal Ministry of Health, who allegedly built the university using proceeds from unlawful activities.
Additionally, the President appointed principal officers for the university, including Prof. Qurix Williams Barnabas as Vice Chancellor, Sanusi Gambo Adamu as Registrar, Ibrahim Dalhat as bursar, and Prof. Daniel Abubakar as university Librarian.
President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Mr Thomas Etuh, representing the North Central, Chief Fabian Nwaora (South East), Prof Femi Taiwo (South West) and Zarah Bukar (North East). as members of the university’s Governing Council.
All the appointees were carefully selected based on their distinguished careers, leadership experience, and dedication to advancing education in Nigeria.
President Tinubu implored them to use their collective expertise to position the university as a hub for academic excellence and research, aligning with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
President Tinubu urged the newly appointed officers to provide visionary leadership and lay a solid foundation for the university’s growth as it prepares to admit its first cohort of students in September 2025.
BACKGROUND OF FORFEITURE OF NOK UNIVERSITY
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, June 7, 2024 ordered the final forfeiture of every asset of Nok University, Gwasmyen Water Factory, Gwasmyen Event Centre and Gwasmyen International Hotel in Kaduna State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had filed an order of final forfeiture of the assets pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and Section 44(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
EFCC investigators established the facts that Anthony Hassan, a former Director of Finance and Accounts, DFA, in the Federal Ministry of Health, built Nok University using proceeds of unlawful activities traced to him.
Physical assets of the University forfeited include Senate building, ICT building, Faculty of Medicine building, Science Deanery building, two Academic buildings , a Faculty Hall and other buildings.
Other assets forfeited include Gwasmyen Water Factory, Gwasmyen Event Center and Gwasmyen International Hotel in Kaduna State.
The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture of the assets on June 1, 2022.
On February 12, 2025, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukayode, handed over the documents of the institution to the Minister of Education at an event witnessed by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Following the final forfeiture, President Bola Tinubu ordered the Federal Government to take over Nok University, Kachia, Kaduna State, and transform it into a Federal University of Applied Sciences as part of efforts to promote development in Southern Kaduna which has suffered setbacks as a result of insecurity.
Speaking during the event which was attended by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and stakeholders from Southern Kaduna, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Vice President Shettima said the event signifies the administration’s commitment to inclusivity and national development.
