Kano Governor Scraps Higher Education Ministry Amid Political Tension

The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has scrapped the Ministry of Higher Education, which was previously overseen by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.

The ministry has now been merged with the Ministry of Education as part of reforms aimed at improving coordination and efficiency in the state’s education sector.

The decision was announced on Sunday in a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa.

According to the statement, a Directorate of Higher Education has been established within the Ministry of Education to oversee tertiary institutions across the state.

“The new entity will operate as the Ministry of Education, with a Directorate of Higher Education headed by a Permanent Secretary to manage the affairs of tertiary institutions in the state,” the statement said.

It added that agencies previously under the defunct ministry, including the state scholarship board, will now report to the merged ministry.

Governor Yusuf explained that the restructuring was part of broader reforms designed to eliminate duplication of responsibilities and reduce the cost of governance.

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

The development comes amid rising political tension in the state following allegations of money laundering raised against the deputy governor by the Kano State House of Assembly.

The crisis also follows Yusuf’s recent defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the All Progressives Congress, a move that has triggered fresh political realignments in the state.

Findings by Punch revealed that the deputy governor and five commissioners declined to defect with the governor to the APC and instead reaffirmed their loyalty to the national leader of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The commissioners who reportedly resigned include Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development; Ibrahim Umar, Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services; Nasiru Sule Garo, Commissioner for Special Duties; Abdullahi Sani Makoda, Commissioner for Higher Education; and Lamin Sani Zawiya, Commissioner for Religious Affairs.

Meanwhile, the political tension deepened on Thursday when the Kano State House of Assembly began impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor.

The impeachment notice was presented by the Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Dala, and read during plenary by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore.

According to the lawmakers, the move followed allegations of misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust.

“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and is contrary to the obligations of public office,” Dala said.

The lawmakers also accused the deputy governor of financial impropriety and abuse of office during his tenure as commissioner for local government.

A total of 38 lawmakers signed the impeachment notice, and the Speaker directed that the deputy governor be formally served in line with constitutional procedures.