Residents and activists in Yobe State have criticised Governor Mai Mala Buni over his N300 million donation towards the proposed Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah university, questioning the priority of the donation amid challenges in the state’s education and healthcare sectors.

Buni announced the donation on Sunday at a national symposium organised by the Islamic organisation in Jos, Plateau State, where the proposed university was discussed.

The donation has drawn criticism from some residents, who argued that the money could have been directed towards pressing needs such as rehabilitating dilapidated schools, tackling the state’s out-of-school children crisis and improving healthcare facilities.

A Peoples Democratic Party member in the state, Umar Yobe, alleged that the donation was made from the public purse without consultation.

An activist, KY Tebo, also questioned the decision to donate N300 million to the proposed university when, according to him, residents suffering from kidney-related ailments in Bade and Jakusko Local Government Areas lacked access to dialysis facilities.

“It is not because they are against religion or against the proposed university. The question is about priority,” Tebo said.

Another activist, Adamu Bello Jana, criticised the condition of public schools in the state, saying greater investment was needed in education, particularly with the number of out-of-school children in Yobe.

The controversy also prompted questions over the source of the funds, with some residents alleging that the donation was made from government resources.

However, the Yobe State Government denied the allegation, insisting that the donation was a personal pledge by Governor Buni and not a contribution from the state government.

The Director-General, Press and Media Affairs to the governor, Mamman Mohammed, said the donation was announced on Buni’s behalf by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Kabiru Masari.

He explained that Masari personally donated N300 million and announced another N300 million pledge on behalf of Buni towards the construction of the JIBWIS University.

Mohammed described reports suggesting that the N300 million would be paid from Yobe State Government resources as false and misleading.

The government maintained that the governor’s donation was made in his personal capacity and had no financial implication for the state government.

The controversy has nevertheless continued to fuel debate over public office holders’ personal donations and the priorities of government officials, particularly in states facing significant infrastructure and social-service challenges.