By Maikudi Muhammad Marafa
The Kano State Government has inaugurated the Kano Intellectuals Forum to harness the expertise of academics and professionals in addressing the state’s socioeconomic challenges through research, innovation and evidence-based policy recommendations.
In a statement signed by Sani Abba Yola Director, Special Duties Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs disclosed that, The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, PhD, inaugurated the Forum at the Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, urging members to deploy their knowledge, research and professional experience in supporting the state’s development agenda.
Waiya said the role of tertiary institutions extends beyond producing graduates, stressing that they have a responsibility to generate knowledge and practical solutions to societal challenges. He noted that academics possess the research capacity and technical expertise needed to provide evidence-based advice and innovative solutions for sustainable development.
He described the Forum as a strategic platform for strengthening collaboration between government and the academic community in critical sectors, including education, economic development, social welfare, innovation and human capital development. According to him, the initiative will complement the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Kano First Agenda by providing practical and implementable policy recommendations that will improve the wellbeing of residents.
The Commissioner called on members of the Forum to contribute meaningfully to governance by offering research-based policy advice and technical support capable of driving sustainable socioeconomic and political development across the state.
Earlier, the Provost of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Dr. Kabiru Gwarzo, said the Forum was designed to ensure broad and inclusive representation from tertiary institutions across Kano State. He explained that each institution would nominate four representatives drawn from academic staff, non-academic staff, students and women to guarantee diverse perspectives and expertise.
Also speaking, the Acting Provost of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, Dr. Ali Tamasi, said Kano’s tertiary institutions are home to highly skilled professionals whose knowledge and experience should be harnessed to address local development challenges. He noted that the Forum would provide a structured platform for intellectuals to support government in policy formulation, research, education and socioeconomic development.
Dr. Tamasi added that the Forum w 
ould also promote the dissemination of government achievements within tertiary institutions, enabling students, staff and the wider public to appreciate the scale of investments being made in the education sector.
The inauguration marks another step by the Kano State Government to strengthen collaboration with the academic community in pursuit of sustainable development through research-driven governance.
