The Kaduna State house of assembly has moved to initiate legislation to reverse the merger of three campuses of the Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery, following concerns over administrative inefficiency, funding challenges and inadequate infrastructure.
The proposed amendment seeks to grant the campuses greater autonomy to manage their affairs, access operational funds and address their individual developmental needs.
The move followed deliberations on a motion sponsored by the member representing Jama’a constituency, Hon. Ali Kalat, who argued that the merger, introduced by a previous administration to improve the performance of the institutions, had instead created challenges affecting their operations and the quality of nursing and midwifery education.
Kalat explained that the current administrative structure places the provost at the Tudun Wada campus, while the campuses in Kafanchan and Pambegua operate under deputy provosts, a system he said had created communication and coordination gaps.
According to him, the centralised arrangement has made the day-to-day administration of the campuses difficult, particularly in the management and distribution of funds for operational activities.
He noted that delays or difficulties in accessing the required funds had affected the campuses’ ability to provide adequate facilities and maintain effective training for students.
The lawmaker maintained that the campuses performed better before the merger, arguing that restoring their independence would allow each institution to make decisions based on its specific administrative, financial and infrastructural needs.
He said the proposed legislation would provide a legal framework for the campuses to operate independently, manage their resources more effectively and improve accountability in the administration of nursing and midwifery education.
Other lawmakers who contributed to the debate supported the proposal, stressing that greater autonomy could improve resource allocation, strengthen institutional management and create opportunities for the campuses to attract development support.
They also expressed concern over inadequate learning facilities and other infrastructural deficiencies, warning that a shortage of essential resources could undermine the quality of professional training offered to students.
The lawmakers emphasised the need to provide conducive learning environments for students and teaching facilities for instructors, noting that strengthening nursing and midwifery education was critical to developing the state’s healthcare workforce.
They further argued that independent management structures would enable each campus to identify its priorities, respond more quickly to operational challenges and ensure that available resources were directed towards pressing needs.
However, in his ruling, the speaker of the house who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Henry Danjuma, said the proposal should be pursued through a bill to amend the existing law governing the college rather than through a motion alone.
The house subsequently voted in favour of the proposal and directed Kalat to prepare the necessary memorandum and present the existing legislation to facilitate the proposed amendment.
Kalat disclosed that he intended to introduce a bill to repeal the merger arrangement and establish a new legal framework that would allow the three campuses to function independently.
He added that the relevant committees of the assembly would examine the existing law and the proposed amendments before the bill proceeds through the legislative process.
The proposed de-merger, if enacted into law, is expected to reshape the administration of the Kaduna State College of Nursing and Midwifery by giving the campuses greater control over their operational activities, finances and development priorities.
The initiative is also aimed at addressing longstanding administrative concerns, improving the delivery of professional training and strengthening the state’s capacity to produce qualified nursing and midwifery personnel.
