Yobe Hails Yusuf’s Education Reforms, Studies Kano Model
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO – The Yobe State Government has commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for what it described as remarkable progress in Kano’s education sector, while undertaking a fact-finding mission to study the state’s higher education funding and staff remuneration model.
The Commissioner for Higher Education in Yobe State, Prof. Mohammed Bello Kawuwa, gave the commendation on Tuesday when he led a delegation to the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, as part of the Yobe State Government’s review of academic staff remuneration at Yobe State University.
According to a statement issued by the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Affairs Unit of ADUSTECH, Malam Abdullahi Datti Abdullahi, Prof. Kawuwa praised Governor Yusuf’s decision to declare a state of emergency on education and allocate about 30 per cent of the state’s annual budget to the sector.
“To make a provision of about 30 per cent for the education sector in the state budget, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, is a clear indication of Governor Yusuf’s utmost commitment to reinvigorate the education sector in Kano State,” Prof. Kawuwa said.
He also lauded the governor for his continued support to ADUSTECH and other tertiary institutions in the state, particularly in the areas of prompt payment of salaries, staff remuneration and other allowances.
Prof. Kawuwa explained that the delegation was constituted by the Yobe State Government to review the remuneration of academic staff at Yobe State University and to understudy Kano’s approach to funding and sustaining its tertiary institutions.
“We came to see your funding mechanism and the sustainability plans being put in place. We are also on a mission to discuss how you manage the remuneration of academic staff at Yobe State University,” he said.
The commissioner added that although the Yobe State Government had continued to meet its obligations to university staff, the committee was seeking practical ideas that could strengthen the state’s higher education system.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of ADUSTECH, Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasai, said the relationship between the university and Yobe State University dates back to 2007, when ADUSTECH admitted and accommodated Yobe students following the temporary closure of their institution.
He said the Kano State Government currently shoulders the university’s monthly salary and overhead costs, adding that it had also settled nearly all inherited staff liabilities.
Prof. Yakasai noted that Governor Yusuf had made education a top priority by earmarking 30 per cent of the state budget for the sector, describing the allocation as one that exceeds the benchmark recommended by UNESCO.
Following the meeting, members of the fact-finding committee held technical sessions with the university management and relevant departments to examine various aspects of academic staff remuneration and institutional funding.
At the end of the visit, Prof. Kawuwa thanked the management of ADUSTECH for providing the committee with the information required to support its assignment, expressing optimism that the engagement would assist Yobe State in strengthening its higher education policies.
