By Adamu Yusuf
The Senate has passed a bill sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, to provide a legal framework for the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano State.
The bill was passed during Tuesday’s plenary, presided over by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. It seeks to establish the statutory foundation for the effective management and administration of the university.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the conversion of the Federal Colleges of Education in Kano and Zaria into federal universities of education in September 2024. Following Senator Barau’s request, the President also approved the renaming of the Kano institution after the late statesman, Yusuf Maitama Sule, on May 10, 2025.
Leading the debate on the bill, Senator Barau explained that the legislation was necessary to provide legal backing for the university and establish a comprehensive framework for its administration and the development of teacher education.
He recalled his earlier efforts in the previous Senate to upgrade federal colleges of education into universities, noting that the bills were passed but not assented to by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Senator Barau commended President Tinubu for approving the university’s conversion and renaming, as well as other federal institutions in Kano State, including the Federal University of Science and Technology in Kabo and the Federal Polytechnic in Rano.
He expressed appreciation for the President’s response to the aspirations of the people of Kano.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Senator Barau for sponsoring the bill and thanked senators for supporting its passage.
He expressed optimism that President Tinubu would assent to the legislation when transmitted to him, providing the university with the necessary statutory and regulatory framework to fulfil its mandate and contribute to national development.
Editing by Khadija Kubau
