Kano Governor Scraps Higher Education Ministry, Relieves Deputy Governor of Commissioner Role
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has approved the immediate dissolution of the State’s Ministry for Higher Education as part of a restructuring aimed at strengthening coordination and deepening reforms in the education sector.
Global Mirror News gathered that the decision also strips the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, of his additional role as Commissioner for Higher Education following the scrapping of the ministry.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, who explained that the move is part of broader efforts by the state government to streamline governance and improve efficiency in the administration of education.
According to the statement, the responsibilities previously handled by the now-defunct ministry will be absorbed by the Kano State Ministry of Education. A specialised Directorate of Higher Education will be created within the ministry to oversee the management and supervision of tertiary institutions across the state.
The new directorate will be headed by a Permanent Secretary and supported by relevant personnel tasked with coordinating policies and programmes affecting universities and other higher education institutions in the state.
Authorities further explained that agencies that were under the dissolved ministry, including the state Scholarship Board, will now revert to the Ministry of Education. Similarly, all state-owned universities and higher institutions will fall under the supervision of the newly created Directorate of Higher Education.
Government officials said the restructuring is intended to eliminate duplication of responsibilities across ministries, improve policy coordination within the education system and reduce the overall cost of governance.
Governor Yusuf emphasised that the reform forms part of his administration’s commitment to revitalising the education sector and ensuring effective management of educational institutions.
He noted that the restructuring would strengthen accountability, boost operational efficiency and enhance the quality of education administration in the state.
To ensure a smooth transition, the governor directed the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and the Office of the Head of Service to immediately begin the process of realigning affected ministries, departments and agencies.
Global Mirror News reports that prior to the restructuring, the former Ministry for Higher Education had faced scrutiny over allegations of financial impropriety. A former commissioner in the ministry, Yusuf Kofar-Mata, had earlier been accused of fraud linked to the state’s foreign scholarship programme.
However, there has been no record of misappropriation during the tenure of the deputy governor at the ministry. Observers believe his removal from the commissioner role may be connected to ongoing investigations by the Kano State House of Assembly.
The state government reiterated that the reform is aimed at building a more efficient education management system capable of delivering better outcomes for students and institutions across Kano State.
