Kwankwasiyya criticises Kano Higher Education merger, calling it politically motivated and warning it threatens effective governance and tertiary education oversight

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has criticised the Kano State Government for dissolving the Ministry of Higher Education and merging it with the Ministry of Education, describing the decision as politically motivated and indicative of a declining focus on governance.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the movement’s spokesperson, Habibu Mohammed, argued that the government’s stated rationale of administrative reform does not reflect the true motivations behind the move.

“The dissolution of the Ministry of Higher Education under the pretext of administrative restructuring raises serious concerns about the government’s priorities and commitment to responsible governance,” Mohammed said.

He suggested the action may be linked to political tensions surrounding the state’s deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzo, who had been overseeing the ministry. Mohammed claimed the merger could be interpreted as punitive for the deputy governor’s refusal to abandon the Kwankwasiyya Movement and its supporters.

According to the movement, the ministry had already been weakened over the past year, with several agencies and functions redirected to report directly to the governor, while key responsibilities were assigned to advisers and special committees.

Mohammed warned that scrapping the ministry entirely confirms fears that governance in the state is increasingly shaped by political considerations rather than public interest.

He further noted that the decision comes amid unfilled commissioner positions, stressing that higher education requires coordinated leadership and long-term planning.

“Universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and scholarship programmes require coordinated leadership and long-term planning. Decisions affecting them must be guided by vision and consultation,” he added.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement urged the state government to reconsider actions that may appear vindictive and instead focus on policies promoting stability and development.

“Kano deserves leadership that places the long-term interests of the people above temporary political manoeuvres,” the statement concluded.

The decision follows Governor Abba Yusuf’s approval on Sunday to merge the Ministry of Higher Education with the Ministry of Education, establishing a specialised Directorate of Higher Education within the new entity to oversee tertiary education activities.