Abba Kabir Yusuf has removed his deputy, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, from his position as Commissioner for Higher Education following a major restructuring of the education sector in Kano State.
The development came after the state government scrapped the Ministry of Higher Education and merged it with the existing Ministry of Education as part of a broader reform aimed at improving coordination and efficiency in the sector.
The restructuring effectively ends Gwarzo’s role as a commissioner in the state cabinet, although he continues to serve as deputy governor.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, who explained that the decision forms part of the administration’s ongoing reforms to strengthen the state’s education system.
According to the statement, the now-defunct Ministry of Higher Education will be integrated into the Ministry of Education through the establishment of a new directorate dedicated to managing tertiary education institutions across the state.
“The directorate will be headed by a Permanent Secretary and supported by the necessary personnel to ensure effective management of higher education institutions in the state,” the statement said.
Officials said the restructuring aims to streamline governance within the education sector by bringing all education-related agencies and institutions under a single ministry.
Under the new structure, all agencies previously operating under the former Ministry of Higher Education will return to the supervision of the Ministry of Education.
The statement specifically noted that bodies such as the state Scholarship Board and other affiliated agencies would now operate directly under the Ministry of Education following the merger.
“Under this restructuring, all agencies under the defunct Higher Education Ministry such as the Scholarship Board will return to the Ministry of Education while state-owned universities and other higher education institutions will also be supervised by the new directorate under the merged ministry,” the statement added.
Government officials said the decision reflects a broader effort to improve policy coordination and administrative efficiency across the education sector.
The restructuring forms part of what the state government described as the ongoing “State of Education Sector Reform,” a program aimed at repositioning education management and strengthening institutional governance.
According to the statement released by the governor’s office, the reforms are designed to eliminate duplication of responsibilities among ministries, improve the coordination of policies across all levels of education and reduce the cost of governance.
By consolidating the oversight of basic, secondary and tertiary education under a single ministry, the government said it expects to improve decision-making processes and ensure more effective implementation of education policies.
Governor Yusuf said the restructuring would also help reduce administrative overhead while promoting transparency and accountability in the management of public institutions.
Officials believe the changes will enable the government to focus resources more effectively on improving education infrastructure, expanding access to learning opportunities and enhancing the quality of teaching and research in state-owned institutions.
The move comes as several Nigerian states continue to pursue reforms aimed at improving governance, cutting operational costs and addressing challenges within the education sector.
Education experts have often emphasized the need for better coordination between different levels of educational administration to ensure that policies are implemented effectively and resources are used efficiently.
The Kano State government said the newly created directorate for tertiary education will focus specifically on supervising universities, polytechnics and other higher education institutions under state control.
By placing these institutions under a single administrative framework within the Ministry of Education, the government hopes to strengthen oversight and improve policy implementation across the sector.
Officials also indicated that the restructuring will help simplify bureaucratic processes that previously existed between the two separate ministries.
While the restructuring removes Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo from his commissioner role, the government did not indicate that the decision affects his constitutional duties as deputy governor.
Government sources say the reform initiative will continue to unfold as the administration implements additional measures aimed at strengthening public sector governance and improving service delivery.
The Kano State government reiterated that the restructuring reflects its commitment to building a more efficient education system capable of meeting the needs of students and institutions across the state.
