Kano State Converts Sa’adatu Rimi University to a Degree-Awarding College of Education

Kano State has officially converted the Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education into the Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, ensuring that it remains a degree-awarding institution. This decision was made during the 18th meeting of the state’s Executive Council on September 18, 2024.

The Kano State government emphasized that this strategic move aims to enhance the quality of education and improve management within the higher education sector. According to a statement from Baba Dantiye, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, the conversion follows extensive consultations with key stakeholders and recommendations from a high-powered committee. This committee was tasked with assessing the university’s status and proposing measures to boost its academic quality.

The committee's findings revealed concerns from both academic and non-academic communities about the challenges posed by transitioning from a college to a university. Issues such as potential loss of experienced lecturers, salary-related conflicts, and administrative difficulties could impact operational efficiency.

The council noted that similar institutions nationwide have effectively operated as colleges of education while offering diverse degree programs, following the “dual mode” introduced by the NCE-regulated body. Importantly, the conversion will not adversely affect current students, who will continue their studies uninterrupted. The university’s certificate will be preserved for future use, and the institution will maintain its traditional courses alongside new degree programs.

As part of this transition, Governor Abba Yussuf has dissolved the university management, directing the vice chancellor to hand over responsibilities to the most senior deputy until further notice. This decision reflects the Kano State Government's commitment to maintaining stability and promoting the growth of higher education institutions while addressing stakeholder concerns about academic excellence and operational efficiency.

In February 2023, the National Universities Commission (NUC) had approved the transition of Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education to Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education under the previous administration.