Vice President Kashim Shettima recently inaugurated a multi-billion Naira Centre of Excellence Building at Bayero University Kano (BUK).Â
This impressive structure, constructed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), hosts a world-standard postgraduate school. The complex comprises two separate five-storey buildings.
The first building includes 190 well-furnished single hotel rooms, while the second houses two modern theatres, classrooms, and offices for the Banking and Finance Faculty. The entire project is estimated to have cost around N15 billion.
During the commissioning ceremony, the Vice President, represented by his Special Adviser on Economic Affairs, Dr. Tope Fasua, highlighted the significance of locating such a facility in Kano, a renowned commercial center in Nigeria.
Shettima expressed the importance of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Centres of Excellence in housing world-class postgraduate schools focused on business and finance.
He emphasized the historical significance of Kano as a center of business, trade, commerce, and finance over the centuries.
The Vice President acknowledged the relevance of the project, stating that as long as finance remains critical to national development, these facilities will continue to be important.
Referring to Kano’s economic prominence, he mentioned the Dawanau market, which is known for its substantial daily turnover in commodity trade, serving West Africa.
He expressed hope that the activation of the Centre of Excellence would add considerable value to Kano, Northwest Nigeria, and the entire country.
In response to questions from the media after the commissioning, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, expressed gratitude for the significant addition to the university.
He emphasized the positive impact these facilities would have on research, the economy of Nigeria, and national development in the fields of finance, economics, and social sciences.
While the specific cost of the facility was not disclosed, Prof. Abbas noted that the university values the two buildings at more than N15 billion.
The Vice Chancellor emphasized the university’s commitment to utilizing these facilities effectively for research and contributions to the nation’s development.
