Writing By Khadijah Aliyu; Editing By Godwin Duru
Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has called for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on Security to safeguard students and promote a conducive learning environment across educational institutions in Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor of BUK, Professor Haruna Musa, made the call while declaring open the Kano State Safe School Summit, organized by the university’s Department of Continuing Education in collaboration with the Kano State Government and development partners.
Professor Musa, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor Amina Mustapha, said the proposed centre would serve as a hub for research and training aimed at addressing security challenges in schools.
He noted that the centre would harness expertise from relevant departments within the Faculties of Education and Social Sciences, including Sociology and Criminology.
Describing the summit as timely and necessary, the Vice Chancellor emphasized that insecurity in schools remains a pressing national challenge requiring urgent and coordinated attention.
Speaking earlier, the Head of the Department of Continuing Education, Dr. Auwal Halilu, said the summit’s objective is to strengthen partnerships with community development actors to ensure the safety of learners.
According to him, the approach goes beyond filling current security gaps, aiming instead to establish community-driven, long-term solutions that promote vigilance, rapid response, and collaboration between schools and their surrounding communities.
Delivering the keynote address, Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Technical Adviser on Education Reform, Malam Haladu Muhammad, said the government is adopting multiple strategies to guarantee the safety of both teachers and students.
He noted that safety in schools extends beyond physical protection to include social and psychological security.
The governor added that the state is implementing broad education reforms, including subsidized registration fees and scholarship programmes to improve access to quality education.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda, represented by the Executive Secretary of the State Agency for Mass Education, Dr. Binta Abubakar, reaffirmed Kano State’s commitment to ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment as part of its broader educational development agenda.
COV/Khadijah Aliyu
