Kano State Governor Appoints NWU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mukhtar Atiku Kurawa, as Chairman of Gaya Polytechnic Implementation Committee

The Vice Chancellor of Northwest University, Kano, Professor Mukhtar Atiku Kurawa, has been appointed by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, as Chairman of the Implementation Committee for the establishment and take-off of the proposed Polytechnic in Gaya Local Government Area.

The appointment, conveyed in a letter dated 30th July 2025 and signed by Aminu Baba Tafida, Director of Political Affairs at the REPA Directorate, highlights the State Government’s renewed commitment to strengthening technical and vocational education as a driver of economic growth, community development, innovation, and adaptability in Kano State.

According to the letter, Prof. Kurawa’s appointment was predicated on his “professional competence, experience, and ability to deliver on matters affecting the socio-economic development of the state. The Governor expressed confidence that the Vice Chancellor would “exhibit the required attributes to execute the assignment diligently in line with the resolve of the administration to ensure effective management of Polytechnics in the state.”

The Polytechnic project in Gaya is expected to address the increasing demand for practical learning opportunities, skills acquisition, and innovation-driven education. The initiative reflects the current administration’s vision to create stronger linkages between education and industrial growth, thereby empowering Kano’s youth with employable skills.

The Implementation Committee is made up of seasoned academics, technocrats, and administrators drawn from various institutions and government agencies. Members include:

1. Dr. Hadi Bala Yahaya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Higher Education, Kano – Co-Chair

2. Professor Bala Sale D/Tofa, Department of Sociology, Bayero University Kano – Member

3. Dr. Muhammad Umar Kibiya, Deputy Rector, Kano State Polytechnic – Member

4. Professor Auwal Halliru Arzai, Special Adviser on Higher Education – Member

5. Alhaji Ibrahim Jibrin Fagge, Chairman, Local Government Service Commission – Member

6. Engr. Yahaya Abubakar Baba, Director, Physical Planning, Ministry for Higher Education – Member

7. Professor Abba Garba Gaya, Deputy Dean, Postgraduate School, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil – Member

8. Dr. Garba Alhaji Adamu, former Director, School of Continuing Education & Postgraduate Studies (SCEPS), Kano State Polytechnic – Member

9. Dr. Surajo Isa Gaya, Director of Guidance and Counselling, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil – Member

10. Halilu Aminu, former Head of Inspectorate Department, NBTE Kaduna – Member

11. Engr. Abubakar M. Adamu, Director, Physical Planning, Yusuf Maitama Sule College of Education and Advancement Studies, Ghari – Member

12. Shehu Sani Shehu, Director, Administration & General Services, Ministry for Higher Education – Head of Secretariat

13. Dr. Lukman T. Surajo, Director, Development Partnership Coordination, Ministry of Education – Secretariat

The committee is expected to oversee critical aspects of the Polytechnic’s establishment, including infrastructure planning, academic program design, staffing, accreditation processes, and community integration to ensure a smooth take-off.

Professor Kurawa’s selection as chairman reflects his rising profile as a key figure in the development of higher education in Kano State. Beyond his leadership at Northwest University, he has consistently been involved in policy formulation, educational innovation, and collaborations that advance technical and university education in the state.

This appointment is yet another proof to his tireless commitment to education and development, a trait that has earned him respect within academic and administrative circles in Kano and beyond.

The Gaya Polytechnic project is anticipated to become a hub for technical education, skills acquisition, and innovation that will contribute significantly to human capital development in Kano State.