By Aminu Garko
Kano State Executive Council (SEC) has approved the conversion of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kumbotso, to Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education and as a degree awarding institution.
Following the development, Governor Abba Yusuf has dissolved the university‘s management, directing the Vice Chancellor to handover the affairs of the defunct university to his most senior deputy.
Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Baba Dantiye, disclosed that the conversion was made after extensive consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
According to him “the decision aims at enhancing educational quality and maintaining effective management.”
He said SEC acted on the recommendation of a high-powered committee appointed by the State Government which looked into the status of the university and charted the way to enhance its academic quality.
“The committee’s findings highlighted concerns from the academic and non-academic communities and other stakeholders regarding the potential negative impact of the transition to university status.
“Especially that the college is serving multiple kind of students from non-metropolitan areas due to its strategic location and access,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the concerns include the risk of losing experienced lecturers, salary-related conflicts and administrative challenges that could hinder the institution’s operational efficiency.
It was gathered that SEC had reasoned that several similar institutions in Nigeria have successfully operated as colleges of education while offering a variety of degree programmes without transforming into university status, under the “Dual Mode” introduced by the NCE regulated body.
“The conversion is expected to have no adverse effects on students, as the current undergraduates in the College will continue with their studies.
“Also, the certificate of the University will be safely kept for future use. Moreover, the institution will continue to offer both its traditional courses and additional degree programmes in line with its new expanded academic mandate,” Dantiye quoted SEC as saying.
