In its bid to decrease the current hardship encountered by the students in tertiary institutions in the state due to the increase of registration fees as a result of the removal of educational subsidy by Federal government, Kano State government will collaborate with Bayero University, Kano to look in to possible measures to ameliorate the situation.
The State Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of BUK Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas at his office.
Dr. Kofar-Mata said he was at VC’s office to strengthen the cordial relationship between Kano State government, under the leadership of Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf, with the University, and to discussed the issue of high increase of the registration fee, which he described as very alarming adding that majority of students can not afford to pay.
“Due to these problems, the State governor, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf directed me to intimate with you to discuss and find the lasting solution for the progress and development of education in the state”, the Commissioner stated.
He added that, in view of the commitment to education by the present administration, arrangements are in top gear to sponsor one hundred and one (101) Kano indigenes to pursue post-graduate degrees at both local and foreign universities, adding that the state would also give scholarship exclusively to married women to undergo post-graduate programmes.
“To complement governmen’s efforts in education sector, Bayero University has a lot to offer to help the state government towards reforming the sector,” he emphasized.
In a statement signed by information officer of Kano state ministry for higher education Sanusi Abdullahi Kofar Na’isa quoted the commissioner as appealing to the Vice Chancellor to look for the possibility of reducing the registration fees to indigent students.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas welcomed the Commissioner and congratulated him for the appointment, which he described as well deserved, pointed out that the visit will continue to cement the long exsitance relationship between state government and the University.
Professor Abbas also explained that the University is spending over N100 million every month for settlement of utilities bills talkless of other sensitive issues, stressing that BUK is only charging services rendered to students, not as tuition fee as claimed in some quarters.
The VC emphasized that his university is charging less compared to other universities like University of Maiduguri, University of Lagos, Federal University Dutse and even Kaduna state-owned university.
He further said to help indigenes students to meet the deadline, the institution would look into possibility to extend the period of payment from two weeks to a month.
He then commended the state governor Engineer Abba Yusuf for his foresight and concern to the development of education of Kano indigenes, promising to look forward where the BUK can assist and support on addressing the current difficulties to its students.