Kano Assembly Committee Backs AKCILS' Push for College of Education Status

The Acting Provost of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies (AKCILS), Dr. Ali Tamasi Mu'az, has appealed to the Kano State House of Assembly to support a proposed legislation seeking to upgrade the institution to a full-fledged College of Education.  

Dr. Tamasi made the appeal on Monday while receiving members of the House Committee on Higher Education during a familiarisation visit to the College.  

He described the proposed upgrade as a critical step toward repositioning AKCILS for greater academic growth and competitiveness, noting that it would enable the institution to access opportunities available to Colleges of Education nationwide.  

The Acting Provost recalled that AKCILS, established over five decades ago, was founded to produce skilled manpower for Kano State's judiciary and has since earned a reputation as one of Nigeria's foremost institutions in Islamic and legal education. He said several legal studies colleges across the country were modelled after AKCILS because of its academic pedigree.  

Highlighting recent milestones, Dr. Tamasi disclosed that the College has secured accreditation from the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) for 52 NCE programmes, up from 32 previously approved. He also announced that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) had upgraded the institution's Diploma programmes in Law and Sharia to National Diploma (ND) status.  

He further revealed that the College currently offers eight (8) degree programmes in affiliation with the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), adding that attaining full College of Education status would position AKCILS to maximise emerging opportunities within Nigeria's evolving higher education system.  

The Acting Provost also sought the Committee's support for the implementation of the College's annual budget to facilitate the provision of essential infrastructure, including lecture theatres and laboratories. He appealed for increased government subvention to enhance academic and administrative operations.  

Dr. Tamasi further requested legislative intervention to accelerate ongoing capital projects, particularly the construction of the College theatre and perimeter fencing, while calling for urgent action to address persistent encroachment on the institution's land by illegal developers.  

Responding, the Majority Leader of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Lawan Hussaini Dala, described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the legislature and the institution. He congratulated Dr. Tamasi on his appointment as Acting Provost and assured him of the Committee's commitment to supporting the College's developmental aspirations.  

Hon. Dala also urged the management to sustain efforts toward promoting students' moral values and discipline as a strategy for addressing social challenges such as drug abuse and thuggery. He pledged the Committee's support in engaging relevant authorities to tackle the issue of land encroachment affecting the College.  

Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education, Dr. Alhassan Ali Lawan, congratulated the Acting Provost and reaffirmed the Committee's readiness to support initiatives aimed at advancing AKCILS' growth and transformation.  

In her vote of thanks, the Deputy Provost (Administration), Barr. Dija Isa Hashim, expressed appreciation to the lawmakers for the visit and appealed for sustained legislative support toward providing additional facilities, including a football field, a moot court complex and science laboratories.