The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, FCVSN, on Thursday, 25th June, 2026, granted recognition to the new Taraba State University of Tropical Agriculture, Science, Technology and Climate Action (TSU-TASCA), Gembu.
This follows the formal presentation of the University’s key strategic documents – the Academic Brief, Physical Master Plan and University Law by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, to the Executive Secretary of the NUC.
Presenting the certificate of recognition in Abuja to Governor Kefas, the Executive Secretary stated that the establishment of the institution reflected the Taraba State Government’s determination to expand access to higher education while leveraging the state’s agricultural and environmental endowments.
Professor Ribadu noted that agriculture remained central to Nigeria’s development but continued to face mounting challenges around food security and productivity pressures, which he said had been compounded by climate change.
“The decision by the state government to establish a university focused on agriculture, science, technology and climate action demonstrates a clear understanding of the issues we face. In many respects, the environment itself becomes part of the teaching and research infrastructure,” he said.
He was careful to clarify, however, that the recognition does not translate to immediate authorisation for academic activities. The commission, he explained, would first conduct a resource verification exercise to confirm that the university possesses the requisite personnel and physical facilities before any students can be admitted.
The Executive Secretary added that the NUC would furnish copies of the recognition letter to key stakeholders including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund).
He also called on the Taraba State Government to provide consistent, long-term funding for the new institution, cautioning that universities require financial commitment that outlasts any single administration, while sustaining support for existing tertiary institutions in the state.
Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Agbu Kefas described the establishment of the University as a strategic response to the challenges posed by climate change, declining agricultural productivity, food insecurity and the increasing need for technological innovation in agriculture.
He noted that the unique ecological characteristics of the Mambilla, particularly the high-altitude environment, rich agricultural potential and cultural diversity of the region, make Gembu an ideal location for a specialized institution of this nature.
Governor Kefas stressed that the university would serve as a platform to draw national attention to the Mambilla Plateau, which he described as a region of immense agricultural and ecological value that remains largely unknown to many Nigerians.
The Governor expressed confidence that TSU-TASCA would contribute significantly to national human capital development through innovative research, sustainable livelihoods and the promotion of climate-resilient infrastructure.
He pledged full compliance with all regulatory requirements and assured the commission of the state’s continued collaboration with the NUC.
The Governor also disclosed plans to shorten the institution’s lengthy name for ease of identification and administration.
Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, commended the Taraba State Government for its foresight in establishing the institution.
He observed that the University’s mandate reflects the State’s immediate and long-term development priorities while aligning with national and global aspirations in food security, environmental sustainability, technological advancement and climate action.
TSU-TASCA was established by Taraba State Government to serve as a center of excellence in tropical agriculture, science, technology, and climate action, in response to the growing need for climate resilience, food security and sustainable development in Nigeria.
Its recognition represents another milestone in the expansion of Nigeria’s higher education landscape and reinforces the country’s commitment to developing specialized institutions capable of addressing emerging national priorities in agriculture, science, technology, climate resilience and sustainable development. The event which attracted the Honourable Minister of State for Regional Development, Mr. Uba Maigari Ahmadu had in attendance members of the Taraba State House of Assembly, senior officials of the Taraba State Government, and management staff of the Commission.