Kano Moves to Map Tertiary Education Sector with Statewide Census
The Kano State Government has announced a comprehensive census of all Tertiary Educational Institutions operating within the State, in a move aimed at strengthening data-driven planning and reform in the education sector, Global Mirror News has gathered.
The exercise, which will run from January 14 to January 23, is being coordinated by the Kano State Bureau of Statistics (KSBS) and will cover Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and other Post-secondary Institutions, whether publicly or privately owned.
According to the Statistician-General of Kano State, Dr. Suraj Sulaiman, the 10-day operation is designed to produce accurate, current and verifiable data that will guide government policy, budgetary allocations and Institutional development.
Global Mirror News reports that enumerators will be deployed across the 44 Local Government Areas to collect detailed information on:
The number and categories of Tertiary Institutions in the State, Student enrolment figures, Academic programmes being offered, Physical infrastructure, including classrooms, laboratories, hostels and libraries, Staff strength, qualifications and distribution, Operational status and compliance levels of institutions
Dr. Sulaiman explained that the census would address longstanding data gaps that have made it difficult for policymakers to accurately assess the capacity, needs and performance of the Tertiary Education sector.
“This census is critical to shaping the future of tertiary education in Kano State. Reliable data is the foundation of effective policy, efficient funding and sustainable development,” he said.
Education analysts told Global Mirror News that the lack of reliable sector-wide data has often resulted in uneven funding, overcrowding, and poor infrastructure planning, especially in rapidly expanding private and public Institutions.
The KSBS boss further noted that the information generated from the exercise would allow the Government to identify Areas of over-concentration, staff shortages, infrastructure deficits and regulatory gaps, enabling targeted interventions to improve quality and access.
He urged all institutions to fully cooperate with the field officers that will be accredited and deployed for the assignment, stressing that timely and truthful information would be key to the success of the exercise.
“The effectiveness of this census depends on the willingness of institutions to provide accurate data. What we gather will determine how resources are allocated and how educational outcomes are improved across the state,” Sulaiman added.
Global Mirror News understands that this census is one of the largest data-gathering exercises ever undertaken in Kano’s tertiary education sector, and officials believe it will offer a clearer picture of existing strengths and systemic challenges.
With Kano hosting one of the largest student populations in northern Nigeria, the outcome of the census is expected to play a significant role in shaping future investments, regulatory reforms and academic development in the State.
