Kano Merges Higher Education Ministry with Education Ministry in Major Reform

KANO, Nigeria – Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the merger of Kano State’s Ministry of Higher Education with the Ministry of Education in a major administrative restructuring aimed at strengthening governance in the education sector.

The reform is designed to streamline policy coordination, improve institutional oversight and accelerate reforms across the state’s education system.

Details of the decision are contained in a statement issued Sunday by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

Under the new arrangement, all higher education matters will now fall under the Ministry of Education, while a newly created Directorate of Higher Education will oversee tertiary education activities across the state.

The directorate will be led by a Permanent Secretary and supported by relevant personnel responsible for coordinating and supervising state-owned universities and other tertiary institutions.

The statement explains that agencies previously operating under the now-defunct Ministry of Higher Education, including the Scholarship Board, will be reintegrated into the Ministry of Education to ensure seamless administration.

“Under this restructuring, all agencies under the defunct Higher Education Ministry will return to the Ministry of Education, while state-owned universities and other higher education institutions will be supervised by the new Directorate,” the statement says.

Governor Yusuf says the restructuring is part of broader reforms aimed at repositioning the education sector and creating a more coherent policy framework across primary, secondary and tertiary education.

“The reform is designed to reduce the cost of governance while enhancing efficiency, accountability and the overall quality of education administration in Kano State,” Yusuf says.

He directs the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and the Office of the Head of Service to begin the realignment of affected ministries, departments and agencies to ensure a smooth transition.

About the Author

Hussaini Ibrahim

Author

Hussaini Ibrahim is a journalist with Africa Health Report (AHR), covering Northern Nigeria with a focus on public health, the environment, and development. He holds a B.A. (Ed) in English from Northwest University, Kano, and brings several years of professional reporting experience. Passionate about accountability and social justice, he specialises in people-centred stories that expose the impact of policies on communities while amplifying the voices of those often excluded from decision-making. X (Twitter): @Mohamme85500159

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