When I got the Kano State Foreign Scholarship to study for my master’s degree at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in India in 2012, my first challenge came from the then-deputy vice chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
The DVC, Prof. Yahuza Bello, understandably questioned the university's name, among other inquiries, and asked me to meet with Prof. Sa'id Babura and Dr. AB Baffa about this issue.Dr. Baffa and I examined the university's accreditation status and ranking, among other things. We confirmed that it was not only fully accredited but also ranked as the best private university in India at that time. Convinced, BUK released me on a fellowship.
BUK later employed some of my friends with whom I studied at LPU. Many of us have PhDs from other universities today, while others are gainfully employed in Nigeria and abroad. Our degree certificates still bear LPU's name. These facts say much about the university's status.
While I wish LPU had a more "serious" name—something I even audaciously suggested to the university management—I realize there is little significance in a school's name. Several universities worldwide have funny or wordy names. What truly matters is the quality of education received at the university.
I have no problem with the name Northwest University, Kano. Likewise, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano. However, if given the choice, I would prefer the latter because of the person the university was named after. YUMSUK, as it is shortened, is pretty cool and catchy.
The Kano State Government's decision to rename YUMSUK back to its original name, Northwest University, is politically motivated. This action also sets a problematic precedent. Future admins may reverse this renaming, creating an endless cycle.
Although another school was named after the statesman, why not this university? He deserves more than that. The late Yusuf Maitama Sule (Dan Masanin Kano) remains a towering figure in the history of not only Kano but Nigeria in general. We should remember this.
From my quick observation, many people prefer Northwest University. As I mentioned earlier, it doesn't matter in the end, but I congratulate those pleased with the name change. I hope the university's standards will improve as well.
This is it!
ReplyDeleteAs a former student of Northwest University, Kano, graduated 2019 we are neither convocated nor original certificate was given to us, what’s your thoughts on those whom their statement of result is bearing YUMSUK?
ReplyDeleteThank you and God bless you.
The renaming is purely political, as you stated, and I agree with you that the university's name should remain unchanged, given the contribution the person named after has made not only to the state but to the country as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know if it is okay for two universities in Nigeria to share the same name, as I am aware that another private university in Sokoto state also goes by the name Northwest.
Northwest University Sokoto and for Kano, Northwest University Kano. One is a private University and the other is a state owned University. Another examples are Federal University Dutse, Gusau, Kebbi and many more. Isn't that enough difference?
DeleteThe name doesn't matter but the motive which is politically motivated, these people are taking us back instead of looking forward to improving the University in terms of laboratories, reaching materials and anything that'll pave a way to better and soun education.
ReplyDeleteIt is a misplacement of priorities. Plus if we don't celebrate our own, who will?
ReplyDelete