The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, Prof Yahaya Isa Bunkure, has appealed to the Kaduna State Government to allocate additional land to the University to accommodate its expanding academic programmes and growing infrastructural needs.
A statement signed by Sani Lawal Maqarphy media aide to the VC said Prof Bunkure made the appeal at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Primary Education (PED) Week, organised by the Department of Primary Education under the theme, “National Development: The Role of Primary School Teachers” where the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Her Excellency Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, served as the chairperson of the occasion.
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He explained that the University’s campus was already heavily built-up, leaving limited space for further development. He recalled that the institution was formerly a Federal College of Education before its conversion to a university, noting that the transition had made additional land necessary to accommodate its expanded mandate and future growth.
Speaking further, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the existing affiliation programmes with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, were being phased out as the institution began to run its independent degree programmes. He disclosed that the University already runs a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programme in Primary Education among its independent degree offerings.
Prof Bunkure further reaffirmed the University’s commitment to developing the Department of Primary Education, disclosing that the 2027 nominal roll submission to the Federal Ministry of Education and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation would include a request for additional academic staff to strengthen the department’s manpower.
Emphasising the importance of primary education to national development, Prof Bunkure described it as the foundation of the entire education system, noting that effective learning at the foundational level was essential for students to excel in higher institutions.
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“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.
The Vice-Chancellor also announced his planned participation in a National Universities Commission (NUC) delegation to the United Kingdom, led by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, for academic engagements with leading institutions, including the University of Oxford and the University of Bristol.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Kaduna State Government, including Hon. Mukhtar Zubairu, Special Assistant on NGOs, who represented the Deputy Governor; the guest speaker, Dr (Mrs.) Owojaiye Abosede Ayobola (née Igunnu), a former Deputy Provost of the institution; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof K. H. Danja; and the Registrar, Mal Shehu Iya Sa’idu.
Other attendees included representatives of the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), emirate council, Deans, HODs, academic staff from various faculties and other institutions and students.
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Prof Bunkure commended the Department of Primary Education, headed by Dr (Mrs.) Lamido Mary Buba, for organising the event and urged academic staff to sustain their commitment to excellence in teacher preparation.
