Why Jigawa State Government Took Over Khadija University

The Jigawa State Government has taken over Khadija University in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area, converting it from the state’s pioneer private university into a public, government-owned institution.

There are many reasons given for the state government’s actions, which may appear to undermine private investment, but in the actual context, they do not.

The State Executive Council deliberated extensively and conducted consultations before approving the purchase of the school.

Khadijah University, which has been offering various courses with a special focus on medical programs, was acquired from the school’s proprietor for N11 billion.

Hundreds of students graduated from the university before its recent change of ownership, which inspired greater hope for the school’s sustainable development.

In 2025, after full payment for the university purchase, the state governor, Malam Umar Namadi, established a committee comprising the State Commissioner for Higher Education and the Commissioner for Basic Education. The committee was tasked with developing the process for taking over the newly acquired university and the modalities for continuing to run it without jeopardising the fate of the admitted students.

In early 2026, the state government announced its plan to recruit 300 lecturers and other staff for eight higher education institutions in the state, with over 50 per cent expected to be posted to Khadijah University.

A bill was passed by the State House of Assembly, creating a legal framework for the university’s funding and governance.

By acquiring Khadijah University and completing its formal handover, the state government now has two state-owned universities.

The state government pointed out that the university was purchased to rescue it from collapse and put it on the track of sustainable growth for the benefit of humanity.

“People talk about why we took over a private university. Yes, we couldn’t sit idly by while someone invested their resources in the state out of dedication, only for the university to fail.”

“We purchased the university also to expand more opportunities for higher education to our children, in line with our policy of ensuring every child in the state has access to quality education from primary to tertiary institutions.”

“We are ready to spend all necessary available resources to ensure that our children are trained and groomed to be potential assets for achieving sustainable growth in the state and realising our broader agenda of making Jigawa great,” Governor Namadi stated while responding to critics.

According to the state government, the university will undergo a strategic restructuring to begin offering professional courses, in line with the present administration’s broader goal of educational investment.

Under state management, the university will focus on professional programs to attract more students and offer Jigawa citizens specialised educational opportunities.

The government has already commenced contacts with other universities within and outside the country for strategic partnerships. Such universities include the Federal University of Technology, Babura, and Alrazi Medical University, originally established in Sudan, which has now opened a branch in Kano State.

In his speech during the formal handover, His Excellency Governor Malam Umar Namadi stated that the state government would provide all legislative and funding backing to ensure the smooth, continued operation of the university and its sustainable growth.

Governor Namadi maintained that a competent and experienced management team would be appointed to oversee the university’s affairs, and that all necessary facilities and equipment would be provided.

The provision of teaching and non-teaching staff will be adequately addressed. Furthermore, all necessary steps will be taken to ensure an enabling environment for teaching and learning at the university.

“Beyond the state, we will expand our contacts and explore all available opportunities around the world. We will partner with any institution of learning, public and private organisations, as well as individuals that have indicated interest in supporting us to build a promising and first-class university in terms of academic excellence in Nigeria and beyond.”

“We are hoping that this university will soon become a hub for producing quality and professional manpower required in building a prosperous and great Jigawa State and Nigeria,” Governor Namadi stated.

In his inaugural speech, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Mahmoud U. Sani, vowed to work in collaboration with the state government, management, and all key stakeholders to pursue the university’s short- and long-term plans.

He added that he and other members of the university’s management team would draw on their vast experience to accelerate the university’s advancement in accordance with the vision and mission of its co-founders.

Khadijah University, which is now owned by Jigawa State and renamed Jigawa State University of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Majiya, has the general public watching to see the kind of transformation that will take place in the school, particularly in terms of infrastructure, adequate teachers, and other required facilities that will put it on a strong foundation for sustainability.

Like its sister state university, Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa, the state government is also expected to create reliable and sustainable funding mechanisms for the university.

Beyond the change of name and ownership, what the Jigawa people and the general public are waiting to see from Khadijah University in the near future is more opportunities and access to quality, advanced education for their children.