The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly criticized the recent establishment of four new federal institutions in Zaria, Kaduna State, calling it an unfair distribution of educational resources.
The forum, which represents communities in the Middle Belt region, expressed its concerns over the marginalisation of other parts of the state, particularly Southern Kaduna.
Criticism Over Zaria’s Overconcentration of Federal Institutions
In a statement issued by its chairman, Luka Binniyat, the MBF questioned the reasoning behind locating these new institutions in Zaria, a city already home to over 15 federal educational establishments. The new institutions, which include a Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, a Federal College of Education, a Federal Open University, and a Federal College of Legal Studies, were announced by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, in a groundbreaking ceremony on December 15, 2024.
The forum criticized the development, arguing that the allocation of such large educational projects to Zaria, which already has ample federal schools, deepens the educational divide in Kaduna State. The group pointed out that Southern Kaduna, which consists of 12 local government areas, has only one federal institution: the Federal School of Statistics in Manchok.
Lack of Transparency and Southern Kaduna’s Educational Needs
The MBF voiced its concern over the decision-making process behind the new schools, claiming that the public was not adequately consulted. “We have not seen any bills or hearings related to these schools in either the National Assembly or the Senate,” the statement said. This lack of transparency contrasts with the public hearings held for a proposed University of Applied Sciences in Southern Kaduna.
The group also accused Speaker Abbas, who represents Zaria in the National Assembly, of prioritising his constituency’s interests over the wider needs of Kaduna State. According to the MBF, the Speaker’s actions reflect an ongoing pattern of favouritism that ignores the majority of the state’s population.
The MBF urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to reconsider the distribution of federal institutions in Kaduna. They called for an equitable distribution of educational resources, emphasizing that Southern Kaduna deserves better representation and more access to educational opportunities.
In conclusion, the MBF reminded Speaker Abbas that his role as Speaker goes beyond Zaria and requires him to advocate for the whole of Kaduna State. They warned that unless Southern Kaduna addresses its political fragmentation, it would continue to suffer from underrepresentation and neglect in future governmental decisions.
