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News Analysis: Between Governor Kabiru Gaya and Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso—Who Established Kano State’s First University?

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Former Governor's Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya in a handshake :Photo Credit Baba Halilu Dantiye

 

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

There has been debate in the online media space in Kano about the actual founder of Kano State’s first owned university, the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology.

During the aborted Third Republic, Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya was sworn in as the Governor of Kano State in January 1992, succeeding Colonel Idris Garba, now retired Major General Idris Garba, as Governor of Kano State.

When Architect Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya became Governor, he hardly appeared at any public function without saying “Insha Allah,” which means “by Allah’s will”—a phrase every Muslim is encouraged to say before embarking on any earthly endeavor.

But keen political observers at the time understood that most of Governor Kabiru Gaya’s pronouncements on the eve of his inauguration were not fulfilled before the military takeover on 17 November 1993.

For example, on the day of his inauguration, Governor Kabiru Gaya told the Kano populace at the Racecourse that he was going to build a large stadium. Until he left Government House, that promise was never fulfilled.

He also promised to separate male and female passengers; at that time, the main means of transportation in Kano and its environs was the Hiace bus. That promise was also never implemented.

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Meanwhile, Kano’s neighboring state, the newly created Jigawa, under its young Governor, Ali Sa’adu Birnin Kudu—a protégé of Alhaji Sule Lamido—hit the ground running and executed several projects. These included establishing the first radio station in Jigawa, whose airwaves could be received in Kano, and the immediate construction of 1,000 houses called Gida Dubu in the Takur area of the state capital.

From then on, Kano people began referring to their governor with the slogan: “Insha Allahu na Kano, Aiki na Jigawa,” meaning, “The pronouncement of Allah’s will is in Kano, while the practical work is going on in Jigawa.”

Now, to the main subject: In 1992, with the proliferation of state-owned universities in the southern part of Nigeria, northern states began following suit. That year, Reverend Father Moses Adasu, the late Governor of Benue State during the same aborted Third Republic, secured a license to establish Benue State University—just as Governor Kabiru Gaya, ruling Kano under the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC), secured a license from the National Universities Commission to establish Kano State’s first university.

Nigerian Tracker observed that, unlike Governor Kabiru Gaya of Kano, Reverend Father Moses Adasu, apart from securing the license for Benue State University, ensured that the institution began operations immediately, with structures put in place and academic activities kicking off.

 

Governor Kabiru Gaya also appointed its first Vice-Chancellor, a computer scientist, Malam Hafiz Wali, a Master’s degree holder, and sited its campus at Bagauda, now the Kano Law School. However, when Governor Kwankwaso assumed leadership of Kano in 1999, he changed the site to the present campus in Wudil because the Federal Government under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to build a Law School, and Governor Kwankwaso handed the Bagauda site over to the Federal Government for that purpose.

 

 

In contrast, for the Kano State University, apart from obtaining the license, nothing else was done until the military intervened and Governor Kabiru Gaya left office with only the license to his credit.

Nigerian Tracker reports that by the year 2001—eight years after Benue State University had already graduated many students—Kano State, under the leadership of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in his first tenure, dusted off the license secured by Governor Kabiru Gaya, established structures, and ordered the immediate commencement of academic activities. Today, the institution has been in operation for 24 years, while Benue State University has operated for 33 years.

So, between Governor Kabiru Gaya and Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who actually established Kano State’s first university?

 

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15th Emir Of Kano Condemns Destruction Of Governor Yusuf’s Banners, Orders Immediate Replacement

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15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has expressed displeasure over the destruction of banners bearing the images of the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The 15th Emir’s Chief Councillor, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi, Sarkin Dawaki Babba, disclosed this while addressing journalists, saying that the Emir had already directed that the damaged banners be repaired.

According to him, 15th Emir Bayero stressed that the traditional institution must remain above partisan politics, saying, “We are fathers of the people, not politicians.” He therefore appealed to the Emir’s supporters and well-wishers to avoid bringing partisan political activities into the affairs of the traditional institution.

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The Sarkin Dawaki Babba also conveyed the 15th Emir’s appreciation to the thousands of supporters men and women, youths and elders who demonstrated their love and loyalty by complying with the government’s directive and accompanying the Emir on foot to his residence at the Nassarawa Palace, despite the heavy rainfall and strong winds.

He said the 15th Emir had no adequate words to express his gratitude to the people for their show of love, patience and solidarity, adding that His Highness prayed that Almighty Allah would reward them abundantly.

The 15th Emir also urged his supporters to continue with prayers, as is customary, for peace, stability and progress in Kano State and Nigeria, as well as abundant blessings and prosperity for the people.

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PCACC Arrests Man Over Alleged ₦4.5m Sale, Illegal Leasing of Kano Government Horse Stable

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The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has arrested one Tasiu Adamu Maje over the alleged illegal sale and leasing of a government-owned Horse Stable at the Race Course, popularly known as Filin Sukuwa, in Kano.

The Commission disclosed this in a statement signed by its Acting Chairman, Hafsat Ada’u Kutama, Esq., where it said the arrest followed complaints lodged by Muhammad Amir Yunusa and Usman Bala Yakasai, popularly known as Sharif, over alleged unauthorised dealings involving the government property.

According to the PCACC, the complainants alleged that Maje transferred and offered the Horse Stable to private individuals despite having no lawful authority to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of the government-owned property.

The Commission said its investigation established that the Kano State Sports Commission, which is the statutory body responsible for the allocation and management of Horse Stables in the state, had no knowledge of or involvement in the purported transactions.

The PCACC said it invited and interviewed individuals connected with the transactions as part of its investigation into the allegations.

According to the Commission, the investigation revealed that the Kano State Sports Commission did not authorise any transaction involving the Horse Stable and that the property had never been officially allocated to any individual either through sale or lease.

The anti-corruption commission further said the document allegedly relied upon by the suspect to facilitate the transaction was not an approved or recognised document of the Kano State Sports Commission.

The Commission added that the same unapproved document was allegedly used in transactions involving two different individuals, raising further concerns about the legitimacy of the dealings.

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According to the PCACC, the sale, lease or transfer of government-owned Horse Stables to private individuals without the requisite approval is contrary to established government policy and applicable administrative procedures.

The Commission alleged that Maje agreed to sell the Horse Stable to Muhammad Amir Yunusa for ₦4.5 million while simultaneously collecting rent from Usman Bala Yakasai.

The PCACC said ₦180,000 was demanded as rent from Yakasai, out of which ₦150,000 was reportedly paid in connection with the purported transaction.

Following its investigation, the Commission declared the purported transactions involving the Horse Stable unauthorised and invalid.

The Commission maintained that the property remains the property of the Kano State Government and is under the control and management of the Kano State Sports Commission.

According to the PCACC, no individual has the authority to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of government property without the appropriate legal and administrative approval.

The Commission said it had commenced steps to recover the Horse Stable and return it to the Kano State Sports Commission.

The PCACC further disclosed that the suspect is expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction, where the allegations against him will be subjected to due process.

The Commission said it would also pursue all appropriate administrative and legal measures in accordance with the law in connection with the case.

The Acting Chairman warned individuals who may attempt to convert government property into private assets or sources of personal profit that such conduct would not be tolerated.

According to Kutama, government property is not meant for private sale, unauthorised leasing or personal financial gain.

The Commission said it would continue to investigate allegations involving the unlawful disposal, transfer or commercialisation of public assets and would take appropriate action against anyone found to have violated the law, regardless of status.

The PCACC also advised members of the public to exercise caution before entering into transactions involving government property.

The Commission urged prospective buyers, tenants and investors to verify the ownership, allocation and legal status of any government property directly with the relevant government authority before making payments or entering into agreements.

The anti-corruption commission reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding government property, preventing abuse of public assets and promoting accountability, transparency and responsible management of public resources.

The PCACC also called on members of the public to report suspected corruption, abuse of office, illegal disposal of government property and other forms of misconduct through its official reporting channels.

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Rep. Abubakar Bichi Employs 100 New Islamic School Teachers in Bichi

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The Federal lawmaker representing the Bichi Federal Constituency, Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, has inaugurated 100 new Islamic school teachers as part of efforts to strengthen Islamic education in the Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State.

The inauguration ceremony was held on Sunday, 27 September 2026, and marked the fourth batch of School Teachers employed under the lawmaker’s initiative bringing the total of number of teachers engaged through the programme to 600.

Before their employment, the 100 teachers underwent a special examination conducted at the directive of the lawmaker. Those who obtained the highest scores across the 11 wards of Bichi Local Government Area were selected for the teaching positions.

The lawmaker had previously supported the teachers by paying their monthly allowances as volunteers before formally employing them as full-time teachers in Islamic schools across the local government area.

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Prominent Islamic scholars and dignitaries attended the inauguration ceremony, including Sheikh Habibu Dan Almajiri, Chairman of the Kano State Zakkah Commission; Dr. Nazifi Ishak, former Kano State Commissioner for Religious Affairs; Dr. Zahrau Muhammad Umar, former Commissioner for Women Affairs; and Sheikh Sanusi Sharif Bichi.

Also in attendance were the Chairman of Bichi Local Government Area, Alhaji Hamza Sule Maifata; the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council in Bichi, Alhaji Sani Mukaddas, and the Kano State APC Secretary, Prof. Yusuf Muhammad Sabo.

The Islamic scholars and other dignitaries commended Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi for his efforts towards improving both Islamic and modern education in the Bichi Local Government Area.

Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar has also previously engaged several youths in various sectors, including healthcare, environmental services, education and other community development activities, as part of his efforts to create opportunities for young people across Bichi Federal Constituency and Kano State.

The lawmaker, who serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, has consistently expressed his commitment to youth development and community empowerment through various initiatives across the constituency.

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