The Kano State Government has inaugurated the Kano Intellectuals Forum as part of efforts to mobilise the knowledge, research capacity and professional expertise of academics towards addressing the socioeconomic challenges facing the state.
The forum was inaugurated on Monday at the Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies (AKCILS) by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, PhD, who charged academics and intellectuals to deploy their expertise in support of sustainable development and evidence-based governance.
Speaking at the event, Comrade Waiya said tertiary institutions have responsibilities that go beyond producing graduates and issuing certificates, stressing that academic communities possess the technical knowledge and research capabilities needed to provide practical solutions to societal problems.
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He noted that the Forum would serve as a bridge between government and the academic community by facilitating research-based advice, policy recommendations and technical support in critical sectors such as education, economic development, social welfare, innovation and human capital development.
According to him, the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf remains committed to placing the welfare of the people at the centre of governance through the Kano First Agenda, adding that intellectuals have a vital role to play in helping government achieve its development objectives.
“The academic community should contribute its expertise towards achieving the goals of the Kano First Agenda by developing practical and implementable recommendations capable of producing sustainable socioeconomic and political development,” Waiya said.
He explained that the Forum would complement government efforts by generating evidence-based solutions to challenges affecting the state and strengthening collaboration between policymakers and scholars.
The Commissioner also disclosed that one of the Forum’s key areas of focus would be the dissemination of government achievements within tertiary institutions to enhance public understanding of investments and reforms in the education sector.
Earlier, the Provost of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Dr. Kabiru Gwarzo, said the Forum was designed to ensure broad and inclusive representation from tertiary institutions across the state.
He explained that each institution would nominate four representatives drawn from academic staff, non-academic staff, students and women to ensure diversity of perspectives and expertise.
Dr. Gwarzo said the inclusive structure would enable the Forum to benefit from a wide range of experiences and ideas in addressing issues affecting Kano’s development.
In his remarks, the Acting Provost of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, Dr. Ali Tamasi, observed that Kano’s tertiary institutions are home to highly skilled professionals who have provided consultancy services to organisations within and outside Nigeria.
He stressed the need to create structured opportunities for such experts to apply their knowledge and experience to local developmental challenges.
Dr. Tamasi said the establishment of the Forum would strengthen the relationship between government and tertiary institutions and encourage greater utilisation of academic research in policy formulation and programme implementation.
He added that the Forum would support government in areas including education, socioeconomic development, research and policy formulation, with the ultimate goal of improving the living standards of the people of Kano State.
The inauguration of the Kano Intellectuals Forum marks a new effort by the state government to harness the expertise of scholars and professionals in shaping policies and promoting sustainable development across the state.