Addressing Rural-Urban Migration:The Al-Istiqama Initiative 

By Abdullahi Yusuf

From time immemorial,human beings have been known to be moving from one place to another for various reasons that affect human existence.Some would move from their places of residence to another for economic concerns;some for political considerations;some in search of knowledge; while some move to escape crisis such as war,hunger and/or communal disputes.

Such movements which involve people drifting from one town to another, from one state to another in a federation, and from one country to another,are usually called Migration.In some respects, Migration is referred to as a movement of people, animals or data from one place to another.

Migration, especially Rural-Urban Migration, has, however, been giving some causes for concern, especially to governments,institutions, and individuals,over time, as they bring about consequences,some of which are not desirable, including absence of youths to assist their parents in farming,trades and other facets of human endeavour.

Rural-Urban Migration has also been discovered to create distinct economic and social challenges for both the rural origins from which the migrants move away,and the urban destinations where they reach and settle.

Against this background, therefore, a Rural University of International Standard was established at Sumaila, headquarters of Sumaila Local Government,Kano State.It is called Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila.

The institution, according to its Founder and Proprietor, Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, was established to curtail rural-urban migration of people in search of higher education and other opportunities.

Senator Kawu Sumaila, who stated this at the 2nd and 3rd Combined Convocation ceremony of the university held at Sumaila recently, said the institution was also founded to bridge the educational gap between rural dwellers and their urban counterparts.

Kawu Sumaila,who is the Senator representing Kano South in the National Assembly, explained that:”By bringing a university of international standard directly to this rural area, we are reversing that trend, and we are proving that higher education, economic opportunities, and urban development abound, not just in rural communities, but right here in our local communities.

“We are empowering local youth, boosting the rural economy, and creating a sustainable ecosystem where knowledge is strong at home.

“This dream could not have been realized without the extraordinary leadership of our principal officers, as well as generousity, guidance, and dedication of selfless leaders, reliable elders, institutions and the government.

“We began as a mission to expand access to quality, value-binding higher education in our nation, and today it has matured into a vibrant institution of academic excellence and character development,” the lawmaker said.

He commended the former Chairman of the university, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Jamiru Abdulkarim, whose leadership  and personal guidance he said, had tremendously contributed to the growth and development of the institution.

Gracing the occasion,Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed delight at the idea of establishing the university, saying that the decision aligned with his educational mission, hence his decision to tremendously support the growth of the institution.

Governor Yusuf disclosed that his government had paid for the continuation of studies of 85 medical and engineering students at the university.

He recalled that when he assumed office in 2023,education was in a near comatose, thus he declared a State of Emergency on the education sector in the state, adding,”today we are three years down the line celebrating our success in that direction.”

A total of 1,104 students graduated at the Convocation whom were conferred with various degrees which they earned during the 2023,2024 and 2025 academic sessions of the university.

The graduands obtained their degrees from the faculties of Arts, Social and Management Sciences, Health Sciences,and Science and Computing.

At the well-attended Convocation, the graduating students were also inducted into the university’s Alumni Association.

Similarly,prizes were awarded to the Best Graduating students who studied in the various faculties.

Part of the Convocation was also the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on three distinguished Nigerians namely, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Maishanu(A.Y.Shafa),and late Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata whose degree was conferred posthumously.

Dignitaries from all over Nigeria and the Niger Republic attended the Convocation, including academics from sister universities and other institutions of higher learning, traditional rulers, business moguls, well wishers, as well as parents and relatives of the graduands.

A highly elated Senator Kawu Sumaila thanked all the dignitaries, especially Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf,for their support and for identifying with the Vision and Mission of the university.

He prayed Allah to reward them abundantly and wished them journey mercies back to their various destinations.

The colourful 2nd and 3rd Combined Convocation ceremony of the Al-Istiqama University, Sumaila,will,for a long time,linger in the memories of all the invited guests,its Founder and Proprietor, the undergraduates, the graduands, as well as the management and staff of the institution.