Kano governor Yusuf dissolves ministry being overseen by his Deputy

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Kano state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has dissolved the Ministry of Higher Education being overseen by his estranged deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

Governor Yusuf has merged the Ministry of Higher Education with the Ministry of Education, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Sunday.

The statement indicated that Yusuf approved the merger of the Ministry of Higher Education with the Ministry of Education as part of decisive steps to strengthen coordination and accelerate reforms in Kano State’s education sector.

Bature added that following the restructuring, the new entity will operate as the Ministry of Education, with a specialized Directorate of Higher Education established within the ministry to oversee tertiary education activities.

The statement also indicated that the directorate will be headed by a Permanent Secretary and supported by the necessary personnel to ensure effective management of higher education institutions in the state.

According to the statement, with the restructuring, all agencies under the defunct Higher Education Ministry such as Scholarship Board will return to the Ministry of Education while state owned universities and other Highter Education Institute will also be supervised by the new Directorate under the merged ministry.”

Bature said the move was part of the state government’s ongoing State of Education sector reform, aimed at repositioning the sector, eliminating duplication of responsibilities, improving policy coordination across all levels of education and reducing cost of governance.

Governor Yusuf stated that 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 reiterated that his administration remains fully committed to implementing far-reaching reforms that will revive the education sector and secure a brighter future for the younger generation.

Consequently, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and the Office of the Head of Service have been directed to ensure the immediate and seamless realignment of the affected ministries and their respective departments.

Recall that the relationship between Yusuf and Gwarzo has deteriorated following the refusal of the former to join his principal in defection from New Nigeria’s People Party, NNPP to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Kano House of Assembly has also instituted an impeachment proceeding against the deputy governor, a move that many believed was motivated by his refusal to remain in NNPP while other government officials defected to APC.