The Kano State Bureau of Statistics has announced plans to carry out a comprehensive census of all tertiary educational institutions across the state, as part of efforts to improve data-driven policy formulation and long-term planning in the education sector.

The exercise, which will run from January 14 to January 23, 2026, was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Statistician-General of the state, Dr Suraj Sulaiman. He explained that the 10-working-day census is designed to generate accurate, current, and reliable data on the state’s tertiary education landscape.

According to Sulaiman, the census will capture detailed information on the number and categories of tertiary institutions operating in Kano State, including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other specialised institutions. Data will also be collected on student enrolment figures, academic programmes being offered, staffing levels and qualifications, as well as the availability and condition of key infrastructure such as lecture halls, laboratories, libraries, and hostels.

He said the initiative is aimed at addressing long-standing gaps in education data that have often limited effective planning, resource allocation, and policy implementation. By providing a clearer and more comprehensive picture of the tertiary education sector, the census is expected to support government efforts to improve the quality, access, and relevance of higher education in the state.

“The census will provide policymakers, education managers, and other stakeholders with credible information that will guide decision-making, ensure better use of resources, and ultimately improve educational outcomes in Kano State,” Sulaiman said.

He stressed that the success of the exercise would depend largely on the cooperation of all tertiary institutions, noting that trained enumerators and supervisors would be deployed across the state to carry out the data collection. He urged institutional heads and administrators to make relevant records available and ensure timely and accurate responses.

“The cooperation of all tertiary institutions is critical to shaping the future of education in Kano State. The data gathered will play a key role in evidence-based decision-making and sustainable development of the sector,” he added.

Sulaiman further noted that the planned census would be one of the most extensive data-gathering efforts in Kano’s tertiary education sector in recent years. He said it would help identify existing strengths, gaps, and challenges within the system, while also providing a foundation for future reforms and investments aimed at enhancing teaching, learning, and research across the state’s higher institutions.

The bureau expressed optimism that the exercise would mark a significant step toward building a robust education database capable of supporting strategic planning and improving the overall performance of tertiary education in Kano State.