Buni commissions BioRTC centre, awards scholarships

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has commissioned the permanent site of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) at Yobe State University, Damaturu. The centre is designed to strengthen capacity in biomedical sciences, promote cutting-edge research, and position Yobe State University as a hub for innovation, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration. Speaking at […]

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has commissioned the permanent site of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) at Yobe State University, Damaturu.

The centre is designed to strengthen capacity in biomedical sciences, promote cutting-edge research, and position Yobe State University as a hub for innovation, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Governor Buni disclosed that the state government invested over N800 million in the construction of the permanent BioRTC facility.

Governor said the centre is a critical scientific asset that will enable more inclusive, accurate, and locally relevant research.

He noted that Africa has long relied on medical research conducted in different climates, environments, cultures, and lifestyles, often without adequate consideration for African peculiarities and genetic diversity.

Reaffirming his commitment to tackling kidney disease, the Governor said the state has continued to provide dialysis support and will establish an additional dialysis centre in Gashua this year to reduce the burden of long-distance travel for patients.

He also revealed that BioRTC has trained over 1,000 participants from Yobe State, Nigeria, and across Africa through summer schools, workshops, and international training programmes fully supported by the state government.

Meanwhile, the governor announced scholarship awards and a N30 million cash gift to three Yobe indigenes—Nafisa Abdullahi, Hadiza Kashim Kalli, and Rukayya Mohammed Fema—who emerged champions of the TeenEagle 2025 competition held in London, United Kingdom.

The students of Nigerian Tulip International College outperformed over 20,000 contestants from 69 countries, showcasing exceptional talent and innovation.

Governor Buni announced full government scholarships for the three girls up to tertiary level and awarded N10 million each in recognition of their outstanding achievement. He said their success reflects his administration’s sustained investment in education.

He also disclosed that the state government spends over N2.6 billion annually on scholarships for 890 students at Nigerian Tulip International College, of which the three champions are beneficiaries.

The Founder and Director of BioRTC, Professor Mahmoud Bukar Maina, said the centre has secured equipment donations valued at over N10 billion, providing a strong foundation for the centre’s research activities.

Earlier, Professor Amadi O. Ihunwo of the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA) said BioRTC offers state-of-the-art research facilities rarely available in many African universities, including tools for cellular and molecular biology, imaging, and neuroscience research.