Overview and History of Khalifa Isiyaku Rabiu University, Kano

 
Located in the vibrant city of Kano, Nigeria, Khalifa Isiyaku Rabiu University (commonly abbreviated as KHAIRUN) emerges as an ambitious and purpose-driven private university committed to providing a modern, values-based education that resonates with the demands of the 21st century. From its inception, the institution has sought not only to deliver academic programmes but also to foster character, critical thinking, moral grounding and practical competence — a combination that aims to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable, but also socially responsible, enterprising and capable of contributing meaningfully to their communities and beyond. What sets KHAIRUN apart is its blend of modern curricular offerings with a respect for tradition, rooted in the vision of its founder and aligned with global best practices. At a time when Nigeria’s higher education sector faces growing demands for relevance, innovation and scalability, KHAIRUN’s establishment is both timely and significant. The university’s focus on science, engineering, computing, allied health and other growth-oriented fields positions it to meet emerging workforce needs, while its commitment to student welfare, infrastructure, interactive teaching and research is evident in its early announcements of modern laboratories, smart classrooms and robust student services.

Being privately-owned, KHAIRUN offers the opportunity of an alternative to the more crowded public university system, potentially providing smaller class sizes, more responsive administration and a more flexible academic environment. For students in Kano State and the wider region, the institution represents a new pathway toward higher education, one that links local context with international standards. In the sections that follow, we will explore KHAIRUN’s official web presence, its motto, founding history and founder, leadership, accreditation status, academic structure and facilities, campus life and facilities, and (where available) its notable alumni.

##Official website
The official website of Khalifa Isiyaku Rabiu University is https://khairun.edu.ng/. On the website you can find information about admission procedures, faculties and programmes, news and events, the student handbook, library services and other institutional details. The site presents the university’s vision and mission, highlights its academic offerings, and provides a portal for prospective students, current students and staff. 

##Motto
The motto of KHAIRUN is “Functional Education is Light.” This motto reflects the institution’s belief that education should not be theoretical alone but must be functional — meaning that learning must translate into skills, practical competence, ethical behaviour and impactful engagement in society. The term “light” symbolises guidance, enlightenment, clarity and empowerment. Thus, the motto emphasises that through functional education, students and graduates are illuminated to better serve their communities and respond to real-world challenges.

##Founder
The university is named after and founded in honour of Sheikh Isyaku Rabiu (also spelled Isiyaku Rabiu). Sheikh Isyaku Rabiu was a revered Islamic scholar, business leader and philanthropist from Kano State, Nigeria. He was born in 1928 (or 1925) in Kano, studied Qur’anic and Arabic studies from an early age, and later became a prominent trader, industrialist and community leader. 

He was deeply committed to education, religious scholarship and community development — founding primary and secondary schools as well as investing in educational infrastructure. His legacy of service and education underpins KHAIRUN’s ethos, and the institution carries his name to honour his contributions and vision.

##History
KHAIRUN is a relatively young institution in the Nigerian university landscape. Its history reflects both the aspirations of the founder’s vision and the regulatory processes of higher education in Nigeria.

The journey began when the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Universities Commission (NUC), granted approval for the establishment of the university in April 2022. 
The institution was initially intended to build on Sheikh Isyaku Rabiu’s educational ambitions, including his long-standing commitment to providing schooling from kindergarten through to university level. 
The university’s founding documents show that although the founder had long desired to see the university established, the formal charter and licensing came later.

By May 2022 the NUC had granted the university a licence to operate. 
In April 2024 the university announced that it would start with sixteen undergraduate programmes across allied medical sciences, engineering and science/computing. 
Later, in August 2025, KHAIRUN reportedly secured its full operational licence from the NUC — marking a key milestone for its development. 

In addition to academic launching, KHAIRUN has been building infrastructure and student welfare provisions: modern laboratories, comfortable accommodations, uninterrupted power and water supply, female-students’ mosque, and other welfare facilities have been reported. 
The campus is located along BUK Road, opposite Gadon Kayan City Gate in Kano. 

Given that the institution is still in its early growth phase — initially focusing on science, computing and health allied programmes — it presents a modern model of private higher education whose ambition is to provide quality, functional education in a Nigerian context. Its history is thus not long but promising, and it builds upon the founder’s legacy and a clear institutional vision.

##Chancellor
The Chancellor of KHAIRUN is Alhaji Samaila Mohammed Mera CON. According to the Student Handbook, he is listed as Chancellor. 

Brief biography: Alhaji Samaila Mohammed Mera is a respected traditional ruler, public figure and recipient of the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). As the Emir of Argungu, he brings to the position of Chancellor a blend of leadership, tradition and national recognition. While detailed public biographical data specific to his tenure at KHAIRUN is limited, his appointment reflects the university’s desire to anchor its governance in respected Nigerian leadership, and to align institutional culture with values of integrity, community engagement and service.

##Accreditation and Recognition
Accreditation and recognition are critical for any university, especially a new private institution. KHAIRUN has made important strides in this regard:

The NUC formally approved the establishment of the university in 2022, granting the licence for the institution to operate. 

In August 2025, KHAIRUN received a full operational licence from the NUC, signalling that it meets the regulatory standards for private universities in Nigeria. 

According to the engineering accreditation body Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) list, KHAIRUN is classified as a “new higher education institution” for select engineering programmes (e.g., Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics). 

The university states that its courses are approved and that its programmes are accredited for the 2025/2026 session. 

These developments give confidence that KHAIRUN is compliant with Nigerian higher education regulatory frameworks and is positioning itself to deliver recognised degrees.


##Academic Structure and Facilities
KHAIRUN’s academic structure and facilities reflect a modern private university’s approach to infrastructure, student services and academic programmes. Below are key elements:

Academic Structure
Faculties & programmes: Initially, the university launched with three Faculties: 

Allied Medical Sciences 

Science & Computing 

Engineering 


##Campus Life and Facilities
Campus life at KHAIRUN is shaped by its modern infrastructure, student-welfare orientation and combination of academic, spiritual and social elements. Key features include:

A dedicated female-students’ mosque (Masjid) to support spiritual life and community among women students. 

Comfortable hostel accommodation, uninterrupted utilities (electricity, water) and interactive learning environments (smart classrooms, labs) are emphasised from the start. 

The library provides not only books and digital resources, but study rooms, research support and an environment conducive to scholarship. 

Student welfare appears to be a priority: the institution has made announcements regarding scholarships for top students, modern facilities and a campus environment described as “one of the cleanest” by visiting validation teams. 

The campus is located on BUK Road opposite Gadon Kayan City Gate in Kano — placing it within an accessible urban setting, allowing for student engagement with the broader city.