Headlines
KUST postpones increment of tuition, hostel charges as ASUU condemns hike
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil (KUST) has postponed the implementation of its new tuition and accommodation charges, following an outcry by the varsity’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
KANO FOCUS reports that the deferment of the fees hike came just a day after the increment was announced.
On Wednesday, the KUST had announced that returning Kano state students would pay N30,800 for registration instead of N21,500 while fresh students were to pay N33,500 as against the N23,200 they used to pay.
Also, the university said non-native and foreign students are to pay N44,800 and N96,000 as tuition fees respectively.
As for students’ accommodation, the university had raised the charges from 5,090 to N10,090.00 per session, according to a statement by Sa’idu Abdullahi Nayaya, the varsity’s deputy registrar, information and public relations.
But in another statement on Thursday, Mr Nayaya said the implementation of the new charges would take effect from 2020/2021 academic session instead of 2019/2020.
Mr Nayaya, stated that the decision was reached at the 94th meeting of the University Senate, held on Thursday, following an intervention by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, “who pledged to support the University with the shortfall for 2019/2020 Academic Session.”
Meanwhile the KUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Shehu Alhaji Musa, announced 8 March 2020 as the resumption date for the new academic session.
Professor Musa urged both new and returning students to face their studies with “all seriousness”.
Tuition, hostel fees hike “highly insensitive”–ASUU
However, ASUU- KUST chapter condemned the increase in students’ registration and accommodation fees, describing the action as “insensitive.”
In a statement, the branch chairperson of the union, Comrade Muhammad Sani Gaya said the hike is “highly insensitive looking at the difficult economic situation in the country.”
Mr Gaya added that the fees increment undermines the Kano state policy on free and compulsory education.
“For the avoidance of doubt the Union categorically reiterates its earlier resolution at its Congress held on Thursday, 16th January, 2020 and its press release of Thursday, 30th January, 2020 of total rejection of this dangerous venture due to the unreliability of the data used by the management to arrive at the reviewed charges,” he said.
‘Hidden charges’
The ASUU-KUST chairperson further added that the services rendered from the funds generated from the registration fees paid by the students were unjustifiable.
Mr Gaya also alleged that “stakeholders and the general public may also wish to note that the university authority wittingly concealed the actual amount to be paid by the students (there are hidden charges).”
“The actual amount to be paid as indicated in the Wednesday, 26th February, 2020 press release signed by one Sa’idu Abdullahi Nayaya does not in any way correspond with what was approved to be paid.
“For instance, a fresh Geography student (an indigene of Kano State) is to pay N33, 700 (university charges), N5,000 field course, N10,090 (hostel charges), N2,000 (field course local charges), N200 (SGS charges), N500 (entrepreneurship charges) totaling N51,490.
“Couple with the lack of accountability, this is coming at a time of extravagant and bogus expenditure by the university management.
“Since the re-introduction of registration fees by the university in 2015/2016 session there was never a year when audited report was presented before the council in violation of Section 31 of the university law,” the ASUU-KUST said.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project and other development partners in advancing education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave the assurance while receiving the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, during a courtesy visit at the Government House in Kano.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mustapha Muhammad, Governor Yusuf said his administration would continue to collaborate with stakeholders and support initiatives aimed at improving education in Kano State.
“We will continue to collaborate and support every effort geared towards the development of education in Kano State,” the governor said.
He described the AGILE project as a beacon of hope that is strengthening the education sector through infrastructural development and support for teachers.
Earlier, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad informed the governor that Kano State had successfully secured the World Bank’s “No Objection” approval for the construction of 49 new schools under the AGILE project at a cost of ₦23 billion.
The minister disclosed that contractors handling the projects had already been mobilised to site, adding that the initiative would significantly expand access to education for underserved communities across the state.
She also commended the Kano State Government for the quality of projects being executed in schools, particularly those she inspected during her visit, and urged the AGILE project team to emulate the state government’s standards in project implementation.
The AGILE project is a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at improving access to secondary education and empowerment opportunities for adolescent girls across Nigeria.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, has commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, describing the intervention as a major boost to girl-child education in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that Professor Suwaiba made the remarks during an inspection visit to selected AGILE project sites in Kano State, including Government Girls College, Kano, and Government Girls Senior Secondary School (GGSS), Dukawuya.
She said the Tinubu administration remained committed to implementing policies and programmes aimed at improving the standard of education and expanding access to quality learning opportunities for adolescent girls across the country.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the quality of projects being executed under the World Bank-supported AGILE programme in Kano State, noting that the initiative would significantly improve educational infrastructure and learning outcomes.
While praising the standard of work at the project sites, she directed Principal and SBMC handling some of the projects to make necessary corrections where required in order to ensure durable and high-quality infrastructure.
Speaking during the visit, the National Coordinator of the AGILE Project, Hajiya Amina Buba Haruna, highlighted recent achievements recorded under the programme.
According to her, the World Bank-supported project is focused on improving access to education for adolescent girls through infrastructure development and empowerment initiatives.
On his part, the Kano State Commissioner for Education, Dr Ali Haruna Makoda, said the state government had continued to prioritise education through increased budgetary allocation and ongoing investments in the sector.
Makoda disclosed that since the declaration of a state of emergency on education in 2023, the sector has consistently received more than 30 per cent of the state’s annual budget.
He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for sustaining investments aimed at improving learning environments and educational outcomes across the state.
The commissioner also appreciated the minister for visiting Kano State to inspect the ongoing AGILE projects and for her continued support toward the advancement of education in the state.
Earlier, the State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Mujittapha Aminu, disclosed that about 300 schools across Kano State would be renovated under the AGILE project.
He added that the state government also plans to construct 49 new girls’ schools across the 484 wards in Kano as part of efforts to strengthen access to education for girls.
Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf and Hajiya Amina Buba
As part of the visit, the Minister, accompanied by the National Project Coordinator of AGILE, Hajiya Amina Buba Haruna; the Commissioner for Education, Dr Gwani Ali Abubakar Makoda; the Project Coordinator, Alhaji Mujittapha Aminu; and the Head of the Project Financial Management Unit (HPFMU), Alhaji Aliyu Lawan, also met with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to discuss the progress of the AGILE project in Kano State.
The AGILE project is a World Bank-supported initiative designed to improve secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls through enhanced infrastructure, increased access, and empowerment programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Thursday launched the Northern Region Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (CNG/EV) Initiative, describing it as a major step toward economic growth, job creation, and affordable transportation.
KANO FOCUS reports that the launch, held at the Kano Indoor Stadium, was attended by the representative of Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, and the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Barrister Ismaeel Ahmad.
As part of the event, the delegation also commissioned the Asad CNG and Greenville LNG stations located along the Kano-Zaria Road.
Speaking during the launch of the Kano and Northern Region CNG/EV Activation Programme, Governor Yusuf said the initiative would open up vast opportunities in refuelling infrastructure, vehicle conversion centres, technical services, assembly plants, logistics, and manufacturing.
According to a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, the governor noted that the project would create employment opportunities for thousands of youths in the state, many of whom have already received training in vehicle conversion and technical maintenance.
Governor Yusuf assured investors of the state government’s readiness to continue collaborating with the Federal Government, the Pi-CNG & EV initiative, and genuine private investors willing to support the development of the sector.
“Our administration will continue to provide the enabling environment necessary for businesses to thrive, as we believe economic growth and job creation must remain at the centre of governance,” the governor stated.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for introducing the initiative, saying it would significantly ease transportation challenges facing Nigerians.
In his remarks, Senator Hassan Hadejia, who serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, said the activation of CNG in Northern Nigeria would maximise utilisation due to the region’s large transportation network, which he described as the biggest in West Africa.
He commended Governor Yusuf for his commitment to the programme and for creating an enabling environment ahead of its official rollout.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Pi-CNG & EV Initiative, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmad, said President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy and was determined to provide alternative energy sources that are cheaper than Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Ahmad further disclosed that CNG stations would be established across all senatorial districts in Kano State to ensure wider accessibility for residents.
Representatives of the governors of Jigawa and Katsina states also called for the swift implementation of similar CNG initiatives in their states to reduce transportation costs and stimulate economic growth.
Alhaji Aminu Suraj represented the Jigawa State Governor, while Professor Muhammad Al-Amin represented the Katsina State Governor at the event.
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