Kano State Government has demonstrated political will and determination, achieving success in transforming the education sector within six months of inception despite legal hurdles.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Higher Education, Professor Auwalu Halliru Arzai, dropped hints during his familiarization visit to the School of General Studies, Kano State Polytechnic on Thursday. This visit is part of his efforts to tour the 12 higher institutions of learning owned by the State government.
Professor Arzai stated that the government spent 5 billion Naira to sponsor 1001 indigenes for foreign scholarships and 0.7 billion Naira for the payment registration fees of Kano state students studying at Bayero University, Kano. This initiative reduces the registration fees of indigenes in the state-owned 12 tertiary institutions by 50%.
The Special Adviser highlighted that the State government’s appropriation of 29.95% over 95 billion in the 2024 budget, above the UNESCO declaration, is a clear testimony to the educational transformation agenda of the incumbent government of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Professor Arzai believes that third-world countries like Nigeria remain underdeveloped due to negligence of the education sector. He added that countries like Japan, China, and India prioritized education and technology to develop their nations.
Earlier, the Director of the School of General Studies at Kano State Polytechnic, Dr. Umar Muhammad Gharzali, commended the State government for rejuvenating education as a bedrock for development in every society.
Dr. Umar Muhammad Gharzali mentioned that the school has graduated over 3,000 students since its inception in 2011. He added that they face serious challenges such as office accommodation and a lack of operational vehicles, among others.
