Senate Passes Barau’s Bill to Establish Legal Framework for Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
October 13, 2026
ABUJA — The Senate has passed a bill sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, seeking to provide a comprehensive legal framework for the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, paving the way for a statutory structure to guide the institution’s administration, academic development and long-term operations.
The bill was passed during plenary on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, presided over by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio.
The proposed legislation is expected to establish the necessary legal and regulatory foundation for the university to discharge its mandate in teacher education, academic research and the training of qualified educators for Nigeria’s educational system.
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The development follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval in September 2024 for the conversion of the Federal Colleges of Education in Kano and Zaria into federal universities of education.
In a further step, President Tinubu, on May 10, 2025, approved the renaming of the Kano institution as Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, following a request by Senator Barau on behalf of his constituents.
Speaking during the debate on the bill, Senator Barau explained that although the President had approved the institution’s establishment and renaming, legislation was necessary to provide it with a firm statutory foundation and comprehensive provisions for its management and administration.
He recalled that during the previous Senate, he had pursued legislative initiatives aimed at upgrading federal colleges of education, including the Federal College of Education, Zaria, Alvan Ikoku College of Education and Adeyemi College of Education, to full-fledged universities. According to him, the bills were passed by the National Assembly but were not assented to by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Senator Barau said he subsequently approached President Tinubu after the latter assumed office, conveying the desire of the people of Kano State to have the Federal College of Education, Kano, upgraded to a university.
He explained that the President approved the request, after which he returned to seek approval for the institution to be named after the late diplomat, statesman and former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Yusuf Maitama Sule.
The President also approved the naming request, paving the way for the institution to bear the name of one of Northern Nigeria’s most prominent historical figures.
Senator Barau said the bill would support the promotion and development of teacher education while providing comprehensive provisions for the university’s governance, administration and academic responsibilities.
He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the upgrade and renaming of the institution, describing the decisions as important developments for Kano State and the advancement of education.
The Deputy Senate President also cited other federal institutions approved for Kano State, including the Federal University of Science and Technology, Kabo, and the Federal Polytechnic, Rano.
Following the passage of the bill, Senate President Akpabio commended Senator Barau for sponsoring the legislation and thanked senators for supporting its passage.
Akpabio expressed optimism that President Tinubu would assent to the bill when it is transmitted to him, thereby giving the university the statutory and regulatory framework required to fulfil its mandate.
The anticipated presidential assent would represent a further stage in the process of consolidating the institution’s status as a federal university of education.
The establishment of a clear legal framework is particularly significant for an institution dedicated to teacher training, given the importance of qualified educators to the quality of teaching, curriculum delivery and educational outcomes at all levels.
With an appropriate statutory structure, the university is expected to strengthen its capacity to train professional teachers, promote educational research and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s education sector.
The Senate’s passage of the bill therefore marks a significant legislative milestone in the institutional development of the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, subject to the remaining constitutional steps required to complete the lawmaking process.
The statement was signed by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media and Publicity, and dated October 13, 2026.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 13th, 2026
