KANOPOLY: Three years after acting appointment, where is the Rector’s confirmation?

By Sadiya Abdullahi Yususf, Kano

Nearly three years after Dr Abubakar Umar Faruk was appointed Acting Rector of Kano State Polytechnic by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, questions have emerged over whether his appointment has been formally confirmed or extended.

A letter dated December 4, 2023, issued by the Kano State Ministry for Higher Education and signed by the then Commissioner, Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, conveyed the governor’s approval of Faruk’s appointment as Acting Rector, effective from the same date.

The letter, titled Notification of Appointment as Acting Rector, stated that the appointment was based on his professional experience, administrative record and perceived capacity to improve the institution’s managerial and academic operations.

Kano State Government’s December 4, 2023 letter appointing Dr Abubakar Umar Faruk as Acting Rector of Kano State Polytechnic, effective the same date.

Under the applicable arrangement, an acting appointment is for an initial period of one year, renewable once for another year, making the maximum period two years.

However, with Faruk approaching his third year in office, ‘The Historica Nigeria‘ has not obtained any subsequent official document confirming his appointment as substantive Rector or extending his acting appointment.

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This raises concerns about the administrative basis for his continued stay in office beyond the stipulated two-year period, particularly in the absence of any confirmation or renewal document available to the newspaper.

The unanswered question of confirmation

The December 2023 appointment letter clearly designated Faruk as Acting Rector, entrusting him with the leadership of the institution in an acting capacity.

Given the one-year renewable arrangement, the continuation of his tenure beyond the two-year period makes clarification from the relevant authorities necessary.

The Rector’s office carries significant responsibilities, including providing strategic direction, supervising academic and administrative activities, maintaining institutional discipline and ensuring compliance with the laws governing the polytechnic.

Consequently, clarity over the formal status of the institution’s chief executive is essential for institutional stability, accountability and effective administration.

The Kano State Government, particularly the Ministry for Higher Education and the institution’s Governing Council, needs to clarify whether Faruk’s appointment was subsequently confirmed, renewed or otherwise regularised.

Administrative concerns under his leadership

Beyond the question of appointment confirmation, concerns have also been raised over the administration of the polytechnic, particularly staff welfare, management relations, financial accountability and the handling of institutional challenges.

In an interview with ‘The Historica Nigeria’, the Registrar, Alhaji Mukhtar Ibrahim Bello, raised concerns about administrative disagreements, revenue collection and the prioritisation of the institution’s financial obligations.

Bello alleged that tensions sometimes arose when he insisted on compliance with institutional regulations and established administrative procedures. He also claimed that some individuals around the Rector influenced decisions by presenting information he considered misleading.

The Registrar’s claims remain allegations and have not been independently established. The Rector’s response is important in providing a fuller account of the issues raised.

Registrar’s tenure controversy

The controversy surrounding the Registrar’s tenure has further brought the polytechnic’s administrative processes into focus.

Bello claimed that the Governing Council approved a four-year renewal of his appointment in August 2026 before the state government announced Malam Magaji Rabi’u Garun-Danga as his replacement.

He alleged that misleading information supplied to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government contributed to the appointment announcement, which was subsequently reportedly reversed.

The Registrar’s account has not been independently confirmed through the council’s resolution or other official documents. Nevertheless, the developments have highlighted the importance of clear communication and proper coordination among the government, Governing Council and institutional management.

The need for government clarification

The December 2023 appointment letter conveyed the government’s confidence in Faruk and its expectation that he would strengthen the polytechnic’s managerial and academic operations.

Nearly three years later, the government needs to clarify the formal status of his appointment, particularly in view of the one-year renewable arrangement governing acting appointments.

The Governing Council should also make known any subsequent decisions concerning the Rector’s appointment, while Faruk should be given the opportunity to address questions surrounding his tenure and the administrative concerns raised by the Registrar.

Issues around

Kano State Polytechnic remains an important institution in the state’s technical and professional education system, with thousands of students and a workforce whose welfare and productivity depend on effective leadership.

Its progress requires more than appointments to key positions. It demands transparent governance, respect for institutional regulations, responsible financial management and sustained attention to staff and students’ welfare.

Ultimately, the issue goes beyond how long Faruk has occupied the office in an acting capacity. It concerns whether the applicable appointment procedure has been followed and whether the necessary administrative steps have been taken to establish the formal status of his leadership.

As the third anniversary of his appointment approaches, the Kano State Government owes the institution and the public a clear explanation of the Rector’s appointment status.