The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna State chapter, has expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to establish four new federal institutions of learning in Zaria, citing concerns about marginalization of other parts of Kaduna State, particularly Southern Kaduna.
The MBF attributed the development to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, in a statement issued on Sunday by its chairman, Mr. Luka Binniyat.
“While this is a positive development, it falls short of earning our commendation as it is insensitive and disregards other zones, especially the Middle Belt Area of Kaduna State (Southern Kaduna),” the statement read.
According to the MBF, the groundbreaking ceremony took place on Sunday, December 15, 2024, in Zaria. At the event, Speaker Abbas announced that N80 billion has been allocated for constructing the institutions, which are expected to be completed within 18 months. The new institutions include the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Federal College of Education, Federal Open University, and Federal College of Legal Studies.
The Forum raised concerns that these additions would bring the total number of federal educational institutions in Zaria to about 15.
“In Zone 2, centered around Kaduna town, there are no fewer than 10 federal institutions of learning. Meanwhile, Southern Kaduna, comprising 12 LGAs spread across parts of Zone 2 and all of Zone 3—an area known for producing most of the state’s educated and skilled workforce—has only one federal institution: the Federal School of Statistics, Manchok,” the statement added.
The MBF further noted that military training schools in Kachia, such as the Army and Naval Training Schools, are primarily for combatants and do not serve the same purpose as civilian educational institutions.
The Forum called on Nigerians, the National Assembly, and President Bola Tinubu to address what it termed “excessive favoritism” toward a small section of Kaduna State, urging fair treatment for Southern Kaduna.
The group questioned the process behind the establishment of the new institutions, stating, “We have not seen evidence of these bills being presented at plenary sessions in either the red or green chambers, nor have we seen invitations for Public Hearings on them. This is unlike the bill for the University of Applied Sciences, Manchok, Kaura LGA, sponsored by Sen. Sunday Marshall Katung, which has undergone public scrutiny at the National Assembly with a Public Hearing.”
The MBF expressed shock over the concentration of federal institutions in a single city, stating that it was surprising that no one is challenging the development.
“Speaker Abbas should be reminded that as Speaker of the House of Representatives, his constituency extends beyond Zaria to include the entire country, especially Kaduna State, where he hails from,” the Forum said.
The MBF also used the opportunity to address Southern Kaduna’s political strategy, urging its people to leverage their numerical strength to push for greater representation and power in the state.
“As long as we continue to play second fiddle during general elections by dividing our votes against ourselves, we will remain at the mercy of those in power,” the statement concluded.
