Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved the merger of the Ministry of Higher Education with the Ministry of Education in a bid to strengthen coordination and accelerate reforms in the state’s education sector.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed on Sunday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.
According to the statement, the newly restructured entity will operate as the Ministry of Education, with a specialized Directorate of Higher Education established within the ministry to oversee tertiary education activities.
“The directorate will be headed by a Permanent Secretary and supported by the necessary personnel to ensure effective management of higher education institutions in the state,” the statement added.
It further disclosed, “Under this restructuring, all agencies under the defunct Ministry of Higher Education, such as the Scholarship Board, will return to the Ministry of Education, while state-owned universities and other higher education institutes will also be supervised by the new directorate under the merged ministry.”
The merger is part of the state government’s ongoing education sector reforms, which aim to eliminate duplication of responsibilities, improve policy coordination across all levels of education, and reduce the cost of governance.
Governor Yusuf emphasized that the reform is intended “to reduce the cost of governance while enhancing efficiency, accountability, and the overall quality of education administration in Kano State.” He reiterated that his administration remains committed to implementing far-reaching reforms that will revive the education sector and secure a brighter future for the younger generation.
Kano Times learnt that the deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who also serves as the Commissioner for the Ministry of Higher Education, is facing impeachment proceedings by the State Assembly over alleged misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The move comes amid simmering political tensions in Kano following Governor Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last year.
Deputy Governor Abdussalam opted not to follow the governor in the defection, choosing to remain with the NNPP. His refusal reportedly deepened rifts within the state government, raising speculation about his political future and setting the stage for the current impeachment proceedings.
Consequently, the statement noted, “The Office of the Secretary to the State Government and the Office of the Head of Service have been directed to ensure the immediate and seamless realignment of the affected ministries and their respective departments.”
