The Kano State Polytechnic, one of the longstanding public institutions of technical and vocational education in Northern Nigeria, occupies an important place in the educational and economic development of Kano State.
Established in 1975, the institution has trained generations of students in technical, scientific, managerial and professional fields.
However, concerns about the institution’s leadership, the Dr. Abubakar Umar Faruk’s reported health challenges and allegations regarding his interactions with staff and other stakeholders have raised questions that deserve the attention of the relevant authorities.
These concerns should not be dismissed, but neither should they be treated as proven misconduct without a fair examination of the available evidence.
The central issue is how to ensure that Kano State Polytechnic continues to function effectively, regardless of the circumstances surrounding any individual occupying its highest administrative office.
A public institution of KANOPOLY’s standing must be governed by clear procedures, professional standards and an unwavering commitment to the interests of students, staff and the wider public.
LEADERSHIP MUST SERVE THE INSTITUTION
The office of a Rector carries substantial responsibilities. These include providing strategic direction, supervising academic and administrative activities, implementing institutional policies, maintaining discipline and ensuring that the institution fulfils its educational mandate.
Such responsibilities require effective leadership, regular engagement with stakeholders and the ability to respond to administrative challenges.
Where concerns arise about an officeholder’s ability to discharge these responsibilities over an extended period, the appropriate authorities have a duty to establish the facts and ensure that effective arrangements remain in place.
This principle must be applied without prejudice. Illness is not misconduct, and a person facing health challenges deserves dignity, privacy and appropriate medical care. Nevertheless, the continuity of a public institution cannot depend entirely on the circumstances of one individual.
The Kano State Government and the relevant governing authorities should therefore clarify the arrangements for maintaining effective administration at the polytechnic, within the limits of applicable laws and legitimate medical privacy.
If the Rector continues to discharge his responsibilities effectively, the institution should operate under the established rules. If a prolonged incapacity materially affects his ability to perform the essential duties of the office, the appropriate authorities should follow the prescribed procedures for addressing the situation.
What matters is that the institution should not be left in prolonged uncertainty.
Allegations Against Management Must Be Examined Fairly
Equally important are reports of strained relations between the Rector and some members of staff, as well as concerns raised by journalists over their interaction with him.
Professional disagreements can arise in any institution, particularly where administrative decisions affect staff interests, institutional priorities or public accountability. Such disagreements, however, should be addressed through established channels and not allowed to undermine a respectful working environment.
If allegations of intimidation, insulting remarks or inappropriate treatment of colleagues have been formally raised, they should be investigated by the appropriate authorities.
Those making complaints should be given an opportunity to present specific incidents and supporting evidence. The Rector, in turn, must have a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations.
A credible process should establish what happened, whether professional standards were breached and what corrective action, if any, is justified.
The same principle applies to dealings with journalists. Public institutions have a responsibility to communicate professionally with the media, particularly when journalists seek information on matters of public interest.
Journalists must also observe professional standards, verify their information and conduct interviews responsibly. Mutual respect should guide interactions between public officials and the press, even where difficult questions or disagreements arise.
Neither the position of a public official nor the profession of a journalist should place anyone above accountability.
More Than 45 PhD Holders: An Opportunity for Institutional Development
Information attributed to the polytechnic’s Academic Planning Department reportedly indicates that the institution has more than 45 lecturers holding PhD qualifications.
If confirmed, this represents a significant pool of academic expertise that could contribute to research, innovation, teaching and institutional development.
However, academic qualifications alone do not automatically make someone suitable for the office of Rector. Leadership requires a combination of relevant experience, administrative competence, professional integrity and the ability to manage a complex institution.
The reported number of doctorate holders nevertheless highlights the importance of succession planning and leadership development.
A public institution should have transparent arrangements for identifying and developing qualified personnel who can assume greater responsibilities when necessary. Such planning helps preserve institutional knowledge, reduces uncertainty and ensures that administrative continuity does not depend on one individual.
Any appointment or change in leadership must follow the applicable legal and administrative procedures. It should be based on relevant qualifications, experience and the requirements of the office rather than personal loyalties or political considerations.
Students Must Not Become Victims of Administrative Uncertainty
At the heart of this issue are the students whose education depends on the effective management of the polytechnic.
Parents and guardians expect the institution to provide quality education, maintain academic standards and prepare graduates for employment and professional responsibilities.
Lecturers and other employees also deserve a working environment that supports productivity, professional development and respectful engagement.
Where leadership uncertainty persists, the relevant authorities should assess whether it is affecting academic planning, administrative decisions, staff morale or the delivery of essential services. Any identified problems should be addressed promptly.
The public should not be left to rely on rumours or competing accounts to determine whether an institution is functioning effectively. Official communication, transparent administrative procedures and credible channels for complaints can help establish the facts and restore confidence.
The interests of students and staff must remain central to every decision.
The Kano Government Must Exercise Its Responsibility
The Kano State Government has an important responsibility to ensure that public institutions under its authority are managed in accordance with the law and their respective mandates.
That responsibility does not necessarily mean intervening in every administrative disagreement. It means ensuring that credible concerns are referred to the appropriate bodies, relevant rules are enforced and institutional performance is not compromised by unresolved problems.
The government should work with the polytechnic’s governing authorities to establish whether the current leadership arrangements are adequate, whether formal complaints have been submitted and whether any investigation is required.
Where concerns about the Rector’s capacity to perform his duties have a legitimate administrative basis, they should be handled through lawful procedures that respect medical privacy and due process.
Where allegations of misconduct are substantiated, appropriate action should follow. Where allegations cannot be established, the findings should be communicated fairly enough to prevent unsubstantiated claims from continuing to damage reputations.
If a leadership change becomes necessary, the relevant authorities should follow the prescribed process and ensure an orderly transition.
The objective should not be to remove an individual simply because questions have been raised. It should be to ensure that the institution has effective leadership, sound administration and a clear direction.
KANOPOLY Deserves a Clear Direction
Kano State Polytechnic has a long history of providing technical and vocational education. Its contribution to developing skilled manpower remains important to the state’s economy and its wider development ambitions.
Protecting that legacy requires more than defending the institution’s reputation. It requires strong administration, transparent decision-making, professional relationships and a willingness to address legitimate concerns.
The reported presence of experienced academics and qualified personnel provides an opportunity to strengthen institutional capacity, but that potential can only be realised within a system that values competence, accountability and continuity.
The government and the institution’s governing authorities should not allow unresolved questions to linger when established procedures can be used to determine the facts and identify an appropriate response.
They should also ensure that any public statement about the Rector’s health or performance is supported by legitimate information and does not violate his privacy or presume conclusions that have not been established.
OUR POSITION
Global Tracker believes that the future of Kano State Polytechnic must take precedence over personal disagreements and institutional uncertainty.
The Rector deserves dignity and fair treatment. Staff members deserve a professional environment in which genuine complaints can be raised without fear.
Journalists deserve respectful engagement when seeking information in the public interest. Above all, students deserve an institution whose leadership and administration remain focused on their education.
We therefore urge the Kano State Government and the relevant governing authorities to examine the concerns surrounding the polytechnic through a fair, transparent and lawful process.
They should establish whether the current leadership arrangements adequately support the institution’s operations, investigate any properly documented allegations of misconduct and take appropriate action based on the findings.
If the Rector is able to perform his duties, the institution should continue under the applicable rules, Because information available to GLOBAL TRACKER which was also confirmed by this newspaper is the Rector is Paralyzed for nearly 3 years, the development which triggers significant gap in the leadership of the Institution.
If the evidence establishes that a change in administrative arrangement is necessary, the authorities should act in accordance with the law.
The measure of responsible governance is not whether difficult questions can be avoided, but whether they are addressed fairly, transparently and in the public interest.
KANOPOLY has served Kano State for decades. Its students, staff and future generations deserve leadership arrangements that protect its educational mission and sustain public confidence.
THE INSTITUTION MUST COME FIRST….