Kawu Sumaila: Rural University Will Curb Migration, Expand Access to Quality Education

The Chairman of Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila, and Senator representing Kano South, Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, has said the establishment of the institution in the rural community of Sumaila Local Government Area of Kano State was a deliberate decision aimed at bringing quality higher education closer to rural residents.

Kawu Sumaila stated this while speaking at the university’s combined convocation ceremony for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 academic sessions, where 1,104 students graduated.

According to him, the decision to establish the university in a rural setting was driven by the need to address the growing movement of young people from rural communities to urban centres in search of higher education and economic opportunities.

He said the trend had continued to put pressure on urban infrastructure while depriving rural communities of the human capital needed for sustainable development.

“By bringing a university of international standards directly to this rural area, we are reversing that trend and proving that higher education and economic opportunities can be provided right here in our local communities,” he said.

The university chairman added that the institution was designed to empower young people, stimulate the rural economy and create an environment where knowledge and innovation could thrive within the community.

He also expressed appreciation to the university’s principal officers, community leaders, elders, institutions and government for their contributions to the development of the institution.

“We began as a mission to expand access to quality, value-based higher education in our nation, and today we have matured into a vibrant institution of academic excellence and character development,” he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf commended the university’s vision, saying it aligned with his administration’s educational agenda.

Governor Yusuf disclosed that his administration had funded the continuation of studies for 85 medical and engineering students sponsored by the state government.

He recalled that his administration inherited what he described as a challenging education sector and subsequently declared a state of emergency in education.

“Today, three years down the line, we are celebrating our successes,” the governor said.