Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State and President Bola Tinubu’s Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters, Kabiru Ibrahim Masari, have donated the sum of N600m for the construction of Fortune University.
The university, established by Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) in Magama Gumau community, Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, has been under construction.
Masari and governor Buni announced the donation on Sunday during a One-Day National Symposium with the theme “Enhanced Political Participation and Social Justice as a Panacea for Unity and Development in Nigeria,” held in Jos, organised by JIBWIS.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Masari said, “I am not aware that there is an ongoing project by the organisation. I pledge N300m. Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has also pledged N300m as a contribution for the project.”
Earlier, the JIBWIS National Chairman of the Ulama’u Council, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, called on Muslims across the country to contribute toward building the university.
He stressed that once completed, the institution would benefit both Christians and Muslims.
He said, “The University is not my personal property. It is for the organisation. We feel that we need to have educational institutions that people can attend to make our country better.”
The Islamic cleric further urged individuals and politicians who had earlier made pledges to fulfil them.
He cited Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, and Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, who in the past promised N450m and N300m respectively.
Jingir, who has openly expressed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, has repeatedly faced criticism over allegations that he uses his religious influence for political purposes.
Recently, the cleric came under fire over comments he made at a mass wedding in Kano, where he urged Nigerians to vote for President Tinubu in the 2027 election.
He attributed his support for Tinubu to the president’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The remarks sparked widespread condemnation from religious groups, civil society organisations and individuals, who criticised the cleric for bringing partisan politics into religious activities.
CSO raises transparency concern
Umar Ibrahim Umar, Executive Director of War Against Injustice (WAI), cautioned against rushing to conclude that the reported N600 million donation to Sheikh Yahaya Jingir was politically motivated.
He stressed that while supporting education and community development is commendable, the sheer size of the donation demands transparency and accountability.
He said, “Given the public offices and political affiliations of Kabiru Masari and Mai Mala Buni, Nigerians deserve clear answers: Was the money from personal accounts or public funds?
“What project is it meant for, and who will implement it? Without convincing answers, suspicions may grow that religious influence is being leveraged for political or personal interests.
Umar emphasised that accountability requires transparency regardless of who is involved.
“If the funds are lawfully sourced, properly documented, and genuinely applied to education, there should be no fear of scrutiny.
“But if public money was diverted without due process, it would represent a serious breach of trust and financial responsibility,” he added.
Similarly, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) also raised concern over the donation.
While acknowledging the importance of investing in education, CHRICED questioned whether such a huge sum was a personal contribution or involved public resources, stressing that Nigerians deserve transparent answers backed by verifiable evidence.
The group noted that the timing of the pledge—coming after Sheikh Jingir’s advocacy for a Muslim–Muslim presidential ticket and just months before the 2027 general elections—heightens public suspicion.
It warned that extraordinary financial gestures by political actors in such a charged atmosphere could be perceived as attempts to sway political outcomes, and therefore demanded an independent investigation to establish the source of the funds.
CHRICED further cautioned against turning the 2027 elections into a contest of religious identities, insisting that Nigerians are yearning for leaders defined by credibility, competence and accountability.
It emphasised that the nation’s future must rest on citizens choosing leaders based on integrity and vision, not sectarian sentiment or political patronage.
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