Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai and Islamic Banking and Finance Institute of Nigeria are in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding on the take-off of a joint academic and professional programmes on Islamic banking and finance.

This was made known during a discussion between the Management of the University, led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, Alhaji Sani Aminu Dutsenma at the Main Campus, Lapai.

The Managing Director suggested the use of the University's Suleja campus complex, given its proximity to Abuja for the take off, adding that another one could be opened in Minna at a later time. Alhaji Dutsenma disclosed that all the programmes are designed to provide professional qualification to initiate graduates into a carrier in Islamic banking.

He gave a rundown of the proposed programmes to include; Diploma in Islamic Banking and Finance, Certificate in Islamic Banking and Finance, Attendance Certificate in Islamic Banking and Finance and Attendance Certificate in Islamic Micro Finance.

Others, he said, are, Executive Certificate in Islamic Banking and Finance and Advanced Diploma in Islamic Banking and Finance respectively. Responding, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu recalled an earlier communication with the Institute which is regarded as a current and trending system of banking.

He thanked the Chief Executive Officer for showing the interest to partner with the University by sending a preamble and sample of the MoU for the Management to digest so that the two partners could be on the same page. Professor Adamu confirmed the University's intention to go into partnership with the Institute and ensure the realisation of the Institute's objectives.

Also speaking, the University's Director of Research Commercialization, Professor Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu emphasized on the need to harmonize the partnership so that the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and the Islamic Development Bank(IDB) could come in. Present during the discussions were the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Mohammed S. Mohammed, Registrar, Alhaji Musa Ango Abdullahi and some key Officers of the University.