Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has taken decisive steps to protect public education assets and strengthen staff welfare by ordering the revocation of all illegal land allocations on the property of Northwest University, Kano, and approving the payment of outstanding academic allowances owed to staff of the institution.

The governor issued the directives during the 35th meeting of the State Executive Council while receiving the management of the state-owned university, led by its Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, who formally presented Prof. Amina Bayero as the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor. Prof. Bayero’s appointment is historic, as she becomes the first female Vice-Chancellor of Northwest University.

According to a statement released on Thursday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, Yusuf expressed strong concern over the reported encroachment and illegal allocations of the university’s land, describing such actions as unacceptable and detrimental to the institution’s long-term development. He stressed that the land belonging to the university must be preserved strictly for academic and institutional use, warning that any allocation made outside legal procedures would be reversed without exception.

“Northwest University must be protected from all forms of land encroachment. Any illegal allocation on its land will be revoked without hesitation,” the governor declared, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safeguarding public infrastructure and educational investments.

Beyond land issues, Yusuf also directed that all outstanding earned academic allowances owed to university staff be fully paid before the end of December. The move is expected to ease longstanding concerns among academic staff and boost morale within the institution. The governor noted that the welfare of lecturers and university workers remains a priority for his administration, as motivated staff are essential to achieving academic excellence.

Governor Yusuf commended the university’s Governing Council for appointing a substantive Vice-Chancellor through what he described as a rigorous, transparent, and merit-based process. He emphasized that stable leadership is crucial for the growth and credibility of any tertiary institution, assuring the university of continued government support.

“The appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor after a transparent process is critical to the stability and growth of the university, and this administration will continue to support the institution to achieve academic excellence,” he said.

Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, explained that the selection process for the Vice-Chancellor spanned about 10 months and involved extensive screening and consultations. He said the final decision was unanimously endorsed by the Governing Council and widely welcomed by the university community.

In her remarks, Prof. Amina Bayero expressed gratitude to the governor and the university authorities for the confidence reposed in her. A pioneer academic staff member of Northwest University, she pledged to lead with dedication and inclusiveness during her five-year tenure. She outlined a 14-point agenda focused on strengthening academic standards, improving administrative efficiency, and enhancing the overall growth and reputation of the institution.

“I am fully committed to this responsibility, and my focus will be on repositioning Northwest University for academic excellence and sustainable development,” Bayero said.

The governor’s actions have been widely seen as a signal of renewed commitment to higher education in Kano State, particularly in addressing longstanding issues of land encroachment, leadership stability, and staff welfare in public universities.