By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has approved the waiver of all fees and financial obligations associated with the title of the historic Abubakar Gumi College in Tudun Wada, Kaduna, paving the way for the establishment of a university and a School of Nursing Sciences on the premises.
Governor Uba Sani said the decision was aimed at preserving the educational legacy of the late philanthropist and educationist, Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi, while widening access to tertiary and professional education in the state.
The approval followed months of consultations involving Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, and members of the Chanchangi family.
Under the proposed arrangement, the premises of the former college will host the Abubakar Gumi University and the Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi School of Nursing Sciences.
The state government said the intervention was necessary to revive the institution, which had suffered a decline following the death of its founder.
“With the granting of the waiver, the proposed institutions are expected to receive a significant boost, with development expected to commence in earnest,” the government said in a statement.
Founded by the late Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi, Abubakar Gumi College was once regarded as one of Kaduna’s prominent educational institutions.
Situated in Tudun Wada, the school served a largely low-income community by providing free and affordable education to children, including orphans.
The institution operated separate morning and afternoon programmes, with Western education offered in the morning and Islamic education in the afternoon.
At its peak, the college attracted students from within and outside Kaduna State and engaged expatriate teachers as part of its academic workforce.
Chanchangi’s contribution to education subsequently earned him recognition both within Nigeria and internationally.
The state government said several attempts had been made to revive the institution following his death before the latest intervention.
“Following the demise of the philanthropist, several efforts were made to reposition and revive the institution,” the government said, adding that the state had stepped in to facilitate the actualisation of the proposed institutions.
The government expressed optimism that the university and nursing school would help address gaps in tertiary education and healthcare manpower development in Kaduna State and neighbouring areas.
While the university is expected to provide additional opportunities for degree-level education, the School of Nursing Sciences is projected to contribute to the training of more healthcare professionals amid manpower shortages in the sector.
According to the government, the initiative would preserve the educational legacy of Abubakar Gumi College and Chanchangi while creating fresh opportunities for young people to access quality higher and professional education.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi was said to have played a key role in the consultations with the Chanchangi family that culminated in the agreement.
Development activities for the proposed institutions are expected to commence after the completion of the necessary title processes.
