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Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has charged contractors handling projects at the University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (UAST) in Ihugh to intensify their efforts and accelerate the pace of work to guarantee timely completion of all ongoing constructions.
The directive came during an inspection tour of the university campus on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. After assessing the level of progress on various sites, the governor addressed journalists, expressing overall satisfaction with the quality of work completed so far. He emphasized that all structures must be durable, adhere to high standards, and withstand the test of time.
Governor Alia set a firm deadline, stating that within the next 14 to 21 days, he expects to see significant improvements in both progress and commitment from the contractors. He urged them to maintain the high standards already achieved and assured that his administration would continue close monitoring to enforce strict compliance with approved plans, specifications, and timelines.
The Vice Chancellor of UAST, Professor Qrisstuberg Amaua, provided an update on the developments during the visit. He disclosed that construction is progressing steadily across the campus. The administration block has reached over 90 percent completion, with only office furnishings remaining outstanding. Work on the students’ hostels has advanced considerably and is at a mature stage.
Professor Amaua also shared enrollment figures, revealing that the university has admitted over 1,000 undergraduate students for the current session. Additionally, more than 1,700 candidates are enrolled in remedial programs. Both groups are presently undergoing registration in preparation for the full commencement of academic activities. He affirmed that the existing infrastructure is adequate to support these academic pursuits once registration concludes.
The inspection tour extended beyond buildings to include practical agricultural facilities. Accompanied by the Vice Chancellor, Governor Alia visited the university’s fish pond and inspected Terraena oil palm seedlings earmarked for students’ practical training, underscoring the institution’s focus on hands-on learning in agriculture and related sciences.
This visit highlights the Alia administration’s commitment to infrastructure development and quality assurance in the state’s educational sector, particularly at this specialized university established to drive agricultural innovation, scientific research, and technological advancement in Benue—the nation’s Food Basket. As the university gears up for full operations, the governor’s push for accelerated and high-standard delivery signals a determination to deliver tangible results for students, staff, and the broader community.
