By Abdul Lauya
Hon. M. J. Umar, Executive Chairman of Sardauna Local Government, has voiced strong support for the proposed Taraba State University of Tropical Agriculture and Climate Action during a public hearing on its 2025 Establishment Bill.
The hearing, held in Gembu on the Mambilla Plateau, brought together state legislators, traditional rulers, stakeholders, and government officials, reflecting broad-based endorsement for the institution.
In his remarks, Hon. Umar praised Governor Agbu Kefas for his developmental focus on the Mambilla region, calling him a visionary who has made Sardauna LGA his second home.
He described the proposed university as a generational investment poised to transform the socio-economic fabric of Taraba State through job creation, youth empowerment, and sustainable agricultural development.
The initiative, he noted, aligns with global climate action goals and represents a bold step towards positioning Taraba as a center for green innovation and agro-knowledge.
Hon. Umar lauded the bill’s sponsors, Rt. Hon. Abel Peter Diah, Hon. Abdulazeez Suleiman Titong, and Hon. Nelson C. Len, for proactively addressing future developmental needs.
The university is expected to trigger economic revitalization by attracting skilled labor, expanding transport networks, boosting SMEs, and creating a vibrant academic ecosystem in the region.
Its location on the resource-rich Mambilla Plateau offers unique environmental advantages for tropical agricultural research and climate adaptation strategies.
Also present at the event were key figures including the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Barr. G. T. Kataps (Ngwii Mambilla), and the Ta Mboon Mambilla, HRM Dr. Shehu Audu Baju II, underscoring the cultural and political importance of the project.
If passed, the bill would mark a historic legislative intervention, unlocking long-overdue opportunities for marginalized communities in Taraba’s highland corridor.
The proposed university reflects a strategic policy shift towards inclusive growth, regional equity, and climate-smart development in Nigeria’s North-East.
