The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has criticized the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, over plans to locate four new federal institutions of higher learning in Zaria, urging for equitable distribution of such schools across other parts of Kaduna State.

According to the forum, Zaria, located in Zone 1 of the state, is already over-concentrated with federal institutions, leaving Zones 2 and 3, including Southern Kaduna, significantly underdeveloped in terms of federal educational facilities.

In a statement on Sunday, Luka Binniyat, Chairman of the Kaduna chapter of MBF, acknowledged the facilitation of the four new institutions by Speaker Abbas but described the development as “insensitive and inconsiderate” to other zones, particularly Southern Kaduna.

Binniyat revealed that the Speaker recently announced an allocation of ₦80 billion for the construction of the four schools, which are expected to be completed within 18 months.

The proposed institutions include the Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, the Federal College of Education, the Federal Open University, and the Federal College of Legal Studies.

He highlighted that Zaria already hosts numerous federal institutions such as Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), among others, bringing the total to 15 federal institutions in the town.

Binniyat lamented the stark disparity in educational development, noting that Southern Kaduna, which occupies 57% of Kaduna State’s landmass and accounts for 52.1% of its population, has only one federal institution, the Federal School of Statistics, Manchok.

He called on Nigerians, the National Assembly, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address what he described as “prohibitive favoritism” toward one section of the state.

Binniyat also questioned the process through which the Speaker secured approval for the four new institutions, noting a lack of transparency or public hearings on the matter.

He urged the Speaker to recognize his expanded constituency as the leader of the House of Representatives and to ensure equitable development across Kaduna State.

Binniyat concluded by calling on the people of Southern Kaduna to leverage their numerical strength and push for political power to address longstanding disparities in the state.