Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has called for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on Security aimed at safeguarding students and ensuring a conducive learning environment across educational institutions.
The Vice Chancellor of BUK, Professor Haruna Musa, made the call while declaring open the Kano State Safe School Summit, organized by the Department of Continuing Education, BUK, in collaboration with the Kano State Government (KNSG),Save the children international SCI, PLAN International and DRDI-DAG.
Professor Musa, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor Amina Mustapha, explained that the proposed centre would focus on addressing security challenges in schools.
The centre, he said, would draw expertise from departments within the Faculties of Education and Social Sciences, such as Sociology and Criminology.
He described the summit as timely, noting that as a security fellow, he recognizes that insecurity in schools remains a major challenge that requires urgent and coordinated attention.
The Head of the Department of Continuing Education, Dr. Auwal Halilu, stated that the objective of the summit is to support community development partners in ensuring that learners remain safe.
According to him, the strategy goes beyond addressing current security gaps, as it seeks to build long-term, community-led solutions that enhance vigilance, rapid response, and collaboration between schools and their surrounding communities.
In his keynote address, the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Technical Adviser on Education Reform, Malam Haladu Muhammad, emphasized that the state government is adopting multiple strategies to ensure the safety of both teachers and learners.
He explained that safety in schools encompasses both physical and social security, adding that the government is currently implementing broad educational reforms, including subsidized registration fees and scholarship programmes to improve access to quality education.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda, represented by the Executive Secretary, State Agency for Mass Education, Dr. Binta Abubakar, reaffirmed Kano State’s commitment to providing a safe learning environment in order to achieve its educational development goals.
The summit marking the International Day to Protect Education from Attack drew a large gathering of education stakeholders.