By Mahdi Waziri Isa
In a commendable and unprecedented gesture of support for Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Governor Senator Uba Sani of Kaduna State hosted the Vice Chancellor and his management team at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House. During the meeting, the Governor presented land allocation papers for staff housing in Sabon Gari and Chikun LGAs, demonstrating the state government’s commitment to enhancing staff welfare and boosting morale.
The Vice Chancellor and his team expressed their gratitude for the support of the Kaduna State Government, commending the administration’s strides in education, agriculture, transportation, and inclusive governance. They noted that the government’s governance style, which gives every citizen a sense of belonging, has become a case study in ABU faculties as a model for Nigeria’s democratic future.
The Governor reiterated that education remains the cornerstone of Kaduna State’s transformation agenda, highlighting the government’s commitment to backing this agenda with action. He cited the increase in education’s share of the state budget to 26.14% in 2025, the construction of 62 new schools, and the building and renovation of over 1,700 classrooms as evidence of this commitment.
Furthermore, the Governor mentioned the reduction of tuition fees for state-owned tertiary institutions by 50% and the commissioning of three of the largest and well-equipped vocational and skills development institutes in Nigeria. He emphasized Kaduna State’s readiness to work with ABU in expanding technical skills training and reaffirmed the government’s continued support for the University as a centre of excellence and a national treasure.
The Vice Chancellor and his team pledged ABU’s readiness to partner with the Kaduna State Government in delivering the dividends of democracy to the good people of Kaduna State. They commended the government’s efforts in tackling insecurity and making Kaduna safe and conducive for all.
In stark contrast, his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, had a rather contentious relationship with ABU. Notably, El-Rufai attempted to seize a portion of land belonging to ABU’s College of Agriculture and Animal Science in Mando, Kaduna, despite a court order restraining him. This move was widely criticized by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ABU branch, which accused him of lawlessness and urged the university’s management to withdraw his degree certificate. The union argued that his actions were in contravention of the requirements in character and learning deemed worthy of an ABU degree award.
While El-Rufai’s actions led to increased admission pressure on ABU, Governor Uba Sani’s administration has taken a different approach, prioritizing partnership and support for the institution. As El-Rufai seeks to reclaim political power, his past actions serve as a reminder of the importance of leaders prioritizing the welfare of educational institutions and their stakeholders