By Uzair Adam
The Federal Ministry of Education on Monday launched an N8.5 billion public-private partnership (PPP) project aimed at transforming Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, into a National Centre of Excellence.
The project involves the development of 18 critical infrastructure and assets as well as the renovation of 15 additional facilities at the unity college.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held at the school premises, is part of the federal government’s efforts to address infrastructure deficits in public schools through collaboration with the private sector.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and represents a strategic effort to improve learning environments across federal institutions.
She said the project, valued at over N8 billion, would significantly improve the physical and academic landscape of the college.
According to her, the intervention will include the construction of facilities such as a skill acquisition and entrepreneurship centre, modern hostels, staff quarters, a health centre and other essential infrastructure, alongside the renovation of several academic and support facilities.
“The initiative is not just about infrastructure alone; it is about impact,” she said.
Professor Ahmad noted that the growing demand for quality education has placed pressure on existing facilities, making it necessary for the ministry to adopt innovative financing models such as PPP to bridge infrastructural gaps.
She added that the federal government oversees nearly 120 unity colleges across the country and cannot solely fund large-scale infrastructure projects in all of them.
“This PPP land-swap model demonstrates the federal government’s resolve to leverage private sector efficiency, ensure optimal use of public assets and deliver value for money,” she said.
The minister explained that the land designated for the project had remained undeveloped since the establishment of the college but would now be utilised to improve educational infrastructure.
She added that the transformation of FGC Kano was deliberate, noting that the institution plays a key role in promoting national unity, excellence and inclusivity.
Professor Ahmad also assured stakeholders that the ministry had put in place mechanisms to ensure transparency, accountability and proper oversight in the implementation of the project.
Representing the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, expressed the state government’s support for the initiative.
He said the project would help optimise land assets that had remained unused for years while also creating value for the government and surrounding communities.
“We are delighted that for the first time the landed asset that has been lying fallow for years will be optimised in a way that properly captures the value of land in Kano State,” he said.
Umar also urged the project promoters to ensure effective stakeholder engagement in order to clearly communicate the benefits of the initiative.
“We call on the project promoter to provide quality infrastructure in a way that the project will serve as a reference point for other PPP projects across Nigeria,” he added.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Pluck Global Nigeria Limited, the private partner in the project, Musa Diktali, said the development reflects efforts to bridge infrastructure gaps in public institutions through collaboration between government and private investors.
He said the project, valued at over N8.5 billion, is expected to be completed within 18 months.
According to him, the PPP arrangement allows private investors to finance infrastructure projects while the government provides land as part of the partnership agreement.
“As you know, the government alone cannot fund infrastructure, so private investors need to come in and support the development of critical infrastructure,” he said.
He added that the project would benefit students of the college and other stakeholders in the education sector.
The event was attended by officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, representatives of the Kano State Government, school management, alumni members, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
