By Abubakar Sadiq Mohd, Zaria The Federal University of Education, Zaria, has asked the Kaduna State Government for additional land as it mo...
By Abubakar Sadiq Mohd, Zaria
The Federal University of Education, Zaria, has asked the Kaduna State Government for additional land as it moves to expand into a full-fledged university and introduce new academic programmes to meet Nigeria’s growing demand for qualified teachers.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, said the institution’s transition from a federal college of education to a university had expanded its academic responsibilities, necessitating additional space for new programmes, facilities and other infrastructure.
He made the appeal at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Primary Education (PED) Week, organised by the Department of Primary Education at the university in Zaria, with the theme, “National Development: The Role of Primary School Teachers.”
Prof. Bunkure explained that the existing campus was already heavily built-up, leaving limited space for further development as the university expanded its academic offerings and infrastructure.
He said the institution was repositioning itself to fulfil its mandate as a university of education, particularly in producing competent teachers capable of strengthening Nigeria’s education system and contributing to national development.
The vice-chancellor disclosed that the university was moving away from affiliation-based degree programmes run in partnership with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, towards independently administered degree programmes.
According to him, the university has already commenced its independent Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programme in Primary Education, while further expansion of its academic offerings would require adequate land, facilities and personnel.
He said the transition presented an opportunity for the institution to broaden access to teacher education and improve the preparation of teachers for schools across the country.
Prof. Bunkure reaffirmed the university’s commitment to strengthening the Department of Primary Education through improved staffing and academic delivery.
He disclosed that the institution would request additional academic staff in its 2027 nominal roll submission to the Federal Ministry of Education and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The vice-chancellor emphasised that primary education remained the bedrock of Nigeria’s education system, warning that weaknesses at the foundational level could undermine pupils’ performance throughout their academic journey.
“Primary education is the foundation of all forms of education. Without a good start and a sound background at the primary level, you wouldn't get students who can excel in our tertiary institutions,” he said.
He stressed that investment in primary education and the training of competent teachers was essential to improving learning outcomes and addressing the country’s broader educational challenges.
Prof. Bunkure said strengthening teacher education institutions was therefore critical to developing the human capital required for Nigeria’s social and economic advancement.
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