The Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, has inaugurated the chairmen and members of the Governing Councils of the eight state-owned tertiary institutions.
He reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to revitalising higher education and strengthening institutional governance to enhance academic excellence.
Addressing the gathering after the inauguration at government house, Governor Aliyu congratulated the newly appointed chairmen and members of the Governing Councils.
He descrined their appointments as a recognition of their integrity, competence, wealth of experience, and commitment to the advancement of education in Sokoto State.
The Governor said the inauguration marked another significant milestone in his administration’s determination to reposition tertiary education and ensure that the state’s institutions produce graduates who are academically sound, morally upright, professionally competent, and globally competitive.
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Governor Aliyu reiterated that education remains one of the cardinal priorities of his administration.
He stressed that no society can achieve meaningful and sustainable development without investing substantially in the education of its people.
According to him, this conviction has informed the decision of his administration to consistently allocate the largest share of the state’s annual budget to the education sector in order to expand access to quality education and provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Governor Aliyu recalled that upon assuming office, the state’s tertiary institutions faced numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of qualified academic staff, insufficient teaching and learning facilities, and other issues that hindered effective academic activities.
Comprehensive Reforms
He explained that his administration had since embarked on comprehensive reforms aimed at revitalising the education sector.
The reforms include the renovation and rehabilitation of infrastructure, provision of modern teaching and learning facilities, support for the accreditation of academic programmes, recruitment of qualified lecturers and other essential personnel, and the removal of tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions to improve access to higher education.
The governor noted that the inauguration of the Governing Councils formed part of his administration’s broader efforts to strengthen institutional governance, promote transparency and accountability, and ensure efficient management of tertiary institutions.
He described the Governing Councils as strategic organs responsible for policy formulation, institutional development, financial oversight, and the overall administration of higher institutions.
Governor Aliyu urged the council members to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, integrity, transparency, fairness, and patriotism while working closely with the management of their respective institutions to promote excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and community service.
He further charged them to uphold the highest standards of discipline, prudent management of resources, and institutional integrity, while taking decisive steps to eliminate examination malpractice, corruption, and other unethical practices capable of undermining the quality of education.
