By Gom Mirian
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the upgrade of Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso, to a full- fledged university to be called the University of Education, making it the 221th university in Nigeria.
According to the Commission, the approval followed a request by the Kano State government for the upgrade and their ability to meet the criteria for the establishment of a new university or upgrade of an existing institution.
Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Abubakar Rasheed, presented a letter of recognition of the institution to the state government led by the governor, Abdullahi Ganduje on Tuesday in Abuja.
Prof. Rasheed said the establishment of the institution will go a long way to address shortfalls in the educational sector as well as the education needs of the state.
Rasheed congratulated the State government for the success and encouraged the management of the new university to approach the Commission for any professional or institutional support so they won’t operate contrary to established guidelines that might attract severe sanctions.
He said the Commission was impressed by the various documents presented to NUC by the Kano government on the new university, adding that with its approval, other relevant federal government agencies would now accord it recognition as a full-fledged university.
“Having met the requirements consequence upon the receipt of your letter and the former presentation of necessary documents.
“I write on behalf of NUC that with effect from Tuesday, 14 February, 2023, that Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education is recognised as the 61st state and 221st university Nigeria.
“By this recognition letter, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been notified of the establishment of this university,” he said.
Earlier, Ganduje said the new university, which is the third to be owned by Kano government, was put in place by his administration to meet the growing demands for education in the state as well as to produce high level manpower.
“We have produced a robust master-plan, academic brief and the enabling law establishing the university.
“The available state of the art facilities are specially convenient to accommodate the university in the first phase of its development.
“At present, the proposed university has not less than 116 lecturers with PhDs, and if I include myself, it will be 117. It is also 246 (staff) with an academic master’s degree.
“I also want to inform you that adequate preparation has been put in place for the students to complete their studies as the life of the college of education comes to an end,” the governor said.
The governor, who commended former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso for establishing two state universities, expressed delight that he has built on the legacy by adding another university in the spirit of continuity in government.
He, however, appealed to Kano people to vote his deputy, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna as the next governor of Kano State so as to continue with the good education foundation laid by Kwankwaso and sustained by the current administration.
Recall that before now, Kano State government boasts of Yusuf Maitama Sule University and Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil.
