The recently elevated Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kumbotso, from the old Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education has now been downgraded to its former status, Grassroots Parrot learnt, on Friday.
The Kano State Government on Friday confirmed the development, ordering the immediate reversal of the university to its former status as a college of education and dissolved the university’s management.
In the same breath, the state government, in a statement, directed the Vice Chancellor of the defunct university to hand over the institution’s affairs to the most senior deputy, pending further directives.
Grassroots Parrots recalled in February 2023, the National Universities Commission (NUC) approved the upgrade of Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education to a University of Education.
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Then, the Executive Secretary of NUC and former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, presented the institution’s letter of recognition to Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, acknowledging it as the 61st state-owned and 221st university in Nigeria’s higher education system.
However, the statement signed by Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, said the decision to revert the institution’s status was made at the 18th State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Yusuf.
At the meeting, the council confirmed that Sa’adatu Rimi would remain a college of education, offering degrees in affiliation, according to the statement.
The statement added that the decision was made following extensive consultations with key stakeholders and the recommendations of a high-level committee tasked with reviewing the institution’s status to enhance its academic quality.
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“The reversal of the status is expected to have no adverse effects on students, as the current undergraduates in the college will continue with their studies. Also, the certificate of the university will be safely kept for future use.
“The institution would continue offering its traditional courses alongside additional degree programs, in line with its expanded academic mandate.
“This strategic decision underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring stability and continued growth of its higher education institutions while addressing stakeholders’ concerns to maintain academic excellence and operational efficiency, the statement said.
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