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KUST, ASUU trade words over misappropriation, poor funding allegations
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The management of the Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil (KUST) has reacted angrily to accusations of financial misconduct, poor funding and students’ welfare labelled on it by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
KANO FOCUS reports that members of ASUU at the KUST had threatened to embark on an all-out strike by March 2020 unless the varsity’s authorities address various issues including alleged poor funding, financial misappropriation and attempt to raise students’ registration fees.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the ASUU-KUST branch Chairman, Comrade Muhammad Sani Gaya and Secretary Comrade Murtala Muhammad said the poor funding of the university is adversely affecting the running of the university resulting to inadequate offices and laboratories.
The ASUU-KUST also accused the university’s leadership of misapplying over N200 million to purchase exotic cars while failing to renovate a female hostel block that was destroyed by fire in February 2019.
The lecturers also alleged plans by the KUST authorities to increase registration fees for undergraduate students “despite lack of accountability in the funds generated in previous students’ registration as externally audited financial reports were not presented before the university council within the last few years in violation of the university law and services rendered”.
The ASUU further alleged that “persistent under-funding of the university by the Kano state government”.
“The union noted that for a long time the state virtually left the provision of needed infrastructure of the university to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TeTFund),” the statement said.
However, in its reaction, the KUST management dismissed the allegations, insisting that the university is being funded by the Kano state government, while also justifying the purchase of vehicles for the institution’s principal officers.
This was contained in a statement sent to KANO FOCUS by the head of Information and Public Relations Unit of the University Sa’idu Abdullahi Nayaya.
“The University management will like to categorically state that Kano state government as proprietor of the university has been making releases of funds of N774 Million for accreditation, the prompt payment of salaries and wages of staff of N2.6 Billion annually as well, undertook other developmental projects,” the statement read.
On the issue of the burnt Dangote female hostel block, the university said it had provided an alternative hostel accommodation to cater for the teeming students in the affected building.
“The University Management has also purchased laboratory equipment worth millions of naira for use during practical’s and makes periodic releases of funds to departments, directorates and other units of the university.
“On the issue of procurement of vehicles for the Principal Officers, they were purchased in accordance with the laid down rules and guidelines as approved by the University Governing Council.
“Meanwhile, the University Management has made payments of most of the claims of the members of staff on the availability of funds (for instance N198 Million as Postgraduate Research Grant to Academic staff, N200 Million as Hazard Allowance for Non-teaching staff), hence it is noteworthy that the research grant for academic staff was fully paid on Monday 27th, January 2020.
“On the alleged attempt by the University to increase registration fees, we would like to categorically state that fees are not static, but subject to review, as such, it is in that direction that the Senate of the University approved for the review of fees charged (between N21,500 and N23,200) by the University which is the lowest compared to all other universities in the country,” the statement added.
Aminu Abdullahi
In a significant move to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity landscape, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Tuesday, 20th May, 2025 commissioned a state-of-the-art National Cybersecurity Centre at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
KANO FOCUS reports that the facility, unveiled, is poised to become a national hub for digital defense, innovation and talent development.
Dr. Jide Ajayi cutting the tape during the opening ceremony
Speaking during the commissioning, NITDA Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the center as more than just a physical structure—“a national asset”.
Represented by Dr. Jide Ajayi from the Zonal Coordination Department, Abdullahi noted that the Centre represents a strategic intervention to enhance cybersecurity education, research and cross-sector collaboration across Nigeria.
“This is not just the unveiling of a facility, it is the activation of a knowledge-driven platform designed to equip our nation with the tools, talent and infrastructure required to safeguard our digital space and empower the next generation of cybersecurity experts,” he stated.
He added that the center aligns with the objectives of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Minister’s Strategic Blueprint, serving as a springboard for collaboration among government, academia and industry stakeholders. It will support research, hands-on training, and act as a resource hub for regional and national partners working to secure Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and NITDA’s leadership for what he described as a visionary and transformative investment in Nigeria’s higher education and national development.
Group picture taken during opening ceremony
“This Centre is more than just a building—it is a symbol of foresight, partnership and the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping our universities with critical infrastructure for 21st-century education,” said the Vice-Chancellor.
“Indeed, the entire Bayero University community is agog with happiness,” he added.
The event was well attended by a distinguished audience, including the Principal Officers of Bayero University, senior management staff from BUK, NITDA, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and a large number of academic and administrative staff, along with enthusiastic participation from students..
The 2023 Presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has debunked reaching a resolution with any individual on the trending defection rumoured to the ruling party or any other political party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso, who considered the recent statement credited to have suggested a particular position as an imagination of falsehood and fragmentation of political mischief against him.
A statement posted on his official X handle @KwankwasoRM, the ex-Governor insisted he has since refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and will continue to do so for the time being.
In the said false information that went viral, Kwankwaso was quoted to have revealed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on multiple occasions, urging him to return to the APC fold.
Responding to a statement purportedly signed by one Ibrahim Rabiu, Sen. Kwankwaso insisted he had never signed or authorised any statement to be issued on his behalf.
“My attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly stating my position on the recurring political realignments. I wish to categorically state that such statements are false, unfounded, and products of political mischief.
“I have refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and I will continue to do so for the time being.”
” I urge the public to only engage statements that come from my public handles and other official sources”. Kwankwaso RM.”
In a releted development, the author of the purported false statement Ibrahim Rabiu has issued a self counter, denouncing the statement as a work of devil.
“I Ibrahim Rabiu, wish to inform the general public that I was never authorised by Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso to issue and release a statement on his belhalf”
“I therefore wish to tender a public apology to his person with a promise that such childish act will never be repeated in the future, please find a space in your heart to forgive me, I was misled by fake news and agents of misinformation”
The Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sunusi II, commended the Adolescent Girls Initiatives for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project for reenrolling over 30,000 adolescent girls and renovating more than 1,300 schools across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir made the commendation while reeiving AGILE State Project Implementation Unit (SIPU) who paid him an advocacy visit recently.
Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi ll
He emphasized the Kano Emirate Council’s commitment to advocating for education and pledged continued support to ensure the enrollment, retention, transition, and completion of girls’ education in Kano.
The Emir also emphasized the importance of collaboration and synergy in implementing policies and programs that foster the development of the state and the nation at large.
AGILE Project Coordinator presenting gift to Emir of Kano
He expressed satisfaction with the AGILE project’s strong monitoring and evaluation framework, particularly in tracking the use of grants and conditional cash transfers.
In his remarks, the Kano State AGILE Coordinator, Malam Mujtapha Aminu said more than 100,000 students are currently enrolled in learning centers across 23 local government areas under the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) second chance education in Kano.
AGILE PC and Emir of Kano
He said this initiative provides out-of-school adolescent girls an opportunity to complete their secondary education, gain entrepreneurship and life skills.
According to him, the second chance education students undergo literacy, numeracy, and entrepreneurship training across 5,000 learning centers.
Athletes who participated in AGILE WEEK Games
He further explained that after nine months of instruction, the students sit for examinations and are awarded certificates equivalent to the Junior Secondary School Certificate.
“Those who enroll in the advanced literacy program also have the opportunity to sit for national examinations such as NECO and WAEC,” he added.
He said they visited the Emir’andalace to seek blessings and advocate for support to achieve their goals.
AGILE Communications Officer and games officials
The AGILE Project is a World Bank-assisted initiative implemented through Federal and State Ministries of Education, aimed at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria.
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