President Bola Tinubu approved the conversion of the Federal Colleges of Education in Kano and Zaria into federal universities of education in September 2024
By Mmesoma Onwuka
The Senate has passed a bill sponsored by Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin to establish a statutory framework for the administration and operations of the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education in Kano State.
The bill was passed on Tuesday during plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, marking a significant step towards providing the institution with the legal foundation required to fulfil its academic mandate.
In a statement dated October 13, 2026, and signed by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, Barau said the legislation would strengthen the university’s management and promote the development of teacher education.
President Bola Tinubu approved the conversion of the Federal Colleges of Education in Kano and Zaria into federal universities of education in September 2024.
The Kano institution was subsequently renamed Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education following a request by Barau on behalf of the state’s people. The approval was granted on May 10, 2025.
Leading the debate on the bill, Barau said the legislation was necessary to provide comprehensive legal backing for the university’s establishment, administration and operations.
He expressed appreciation to Tinubu for approving the institution’s upgrade and renaming, noting that the move would help strengthen teacher training and expand opportunities for higher education.
The Deputy Senate President also recalled his efforts during the previous Senate to facilitate the upgrading of other colleges of education, including the Federal College of Education, Zaria, Alvan Ikoku College of Education and Adeyemi College of Education.
According to him, the relevant bills were passed by the National Assembly and forwarded to former President Muhammadu Buhari but were not assented to before the end of his administration.
Barau said he renewed his efforts after Tinubu assumed office, presenting the request for the conversion of the Federal College of Education, Kano, into a full-fledged university.
He noted that the President subsequently approved the upgrade and agreed to name the institution after the late Yusuf Maitama Sule, a respected Nigerian statesman and diplomat.
Barau further acknowledged Tinubu’s support for educational development in Kano State, citing the approval of the Federal University of Science and Technology in Kabo and the Federal Polytechnic in Rano.
He said the projects would expand access to tertiary education and strengthen the state’s educational infrastructure.
In his remarks, Akpabio praised Barau for sponsoring the bill and commended senators for supporting its passage.
The Senate President expressed confidence that Tinubu would assent to the bill when it is transmitted to him, paving the way for the university to operate under an appropriate statutory and regulatory framework.
The legislation is expected to strengthen the institution’s capacity to train qualified teachers, advance academic development and contribute to Nigeria’s education sector.
The bill’s passage now sets the stage for its transmission to the President for assent.