The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for converting the Federal Colleges of Education in Kano and Zaria to Federal Universities of Education.
President Tinubu approved the elevation to enhance the country’s education system in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Federal Ministry of Education has issued memos communicating the approval to the two institutions.
Senator Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said the conversion would not only increase access to university education but also enhance teachers’ education and the teaching profession in the country.
“I express my profound gratitude to our leader, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for approving the conversion of the Federal Colleges of Education, Kano and Zaria to Federal Universities of Education,” the lawmaker said.
“This is what we have been clamoring for. I sponsored two bills for the upgrade at the last assembly, but they were unsuccessful. But to the glory of God, it has come to fruition with Mr. President’s approval of the conversion,” he added.
“The upgrade/conversion of the two FCEs in Kano and Zaria would not only increase access to university education, but also enhance teachers’ education and the teaching profession in the country, which is the cornerstone for the development of all societies.
“This further confirms Mr. President’s special interest in the North West geopolitical zone, which needs special consideration, given the challenges facing us in the region.
“The upgrade of the citadel of high learning is coming months after the establishment of the North West Development Commission (NWDC).
“On behalf of the entire people of Kano State and the North West geopolitical zone, I express our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency for these interventions,” he said.
Senator Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, congratulated the management, staff, students, and entire communities of the institutions, urging them to continue to uphold the highest academic excellence.
He expressed optimism that his bill for the conversion of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, to the Federal University of Education (Technical), Bichi, to provide the needed technical training to Nigerian Youths would be given the same consideration.
