Northern Nigeria underwent significant expansion in tertiary education following independence in 1960, aiming to train professionals for administration, teaching, and technical roles. Two institutions are often discussed in this context, the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAST), Zaria, and the Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology, which later became Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic (HUK Polytechnic).
There is occasional confusion regarding a “Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology, Zaria” existing in 1980. Verified historical records show this is inaccurate. NCAST Zaria had been absorbed into Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in 1962, and the Katsina College, sometimes referred to as KCAST, was a distinct institution in Katsina State, transformed into HUK Polytechnic in 1983.
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NCAST Zaria and Its Integration into ABU
The Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, established in the mid-1950s in Samaru, Zaria, provided tertiary education in arts, sciences, and technical disciplines, preparing students for professional and administrative careers in Northern Nigeria.
Following the Ashby Commission of 1959, which recommended expanding higher education across Nigeria, the Northern Regional Government created Ahmadu Bello University, launched on 4 October 1962, consolidating NCAST Zaria and other institutions.
NCAST’s facilities, academic programmes, and staff were integrated into the new university. Engineering courses in Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering, as well as arts and science programmes, continued under ABU’s faculties.
After this integration, NCAST ceased to exist as an independent institution. Therefore, references to a functioning NCAST or “KCAST” in Zaria in 1980 are not supported by archival or legislative records.
HUK Polytechnic in Katsina
Separately, a Katsina-based institution, sometimes referred to as the Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology, existed in the 1970s and early 1980s. This college was classified as defunct prior to its formal transformation into Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic in 1983 through state legislation.
HUK Polytechnic provides National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes across technical, business, science, and humanities disciplines. It remains a significant contributor to technical education and workforce development in Katsina State.
The polytechnic’s establishment demonstrates Northern Nigeria’s strategic focus on technical education, distinct from the historical trajectory of ABU and NCAST Zaria.
Clarifying Misattributions
Photographs and personal accounts claiming to show “KCAST, Zaria” students in 1980, sometimes listing names of individuals, cannot be verified against institutional archives or legislation. There is no evidence that a Zaria-based “KCAST” existed after 1962, and NCAST had already merged with ABU.
Oral histories and private collections can provide insight into personal experiences, but they must be validated with archival records to be accepted as historical evidence. Misattributions can lead to misunderstandings about the origins, evolution, and impact of Northern Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Northern Nigeria’s Post-Independence Educational Context
Following independence, Northern Nigeria faced a shortage of tertiary institutions due to limited colonial-era schooling. The establishment of ABU in 1962 addressed this gap, consolidating NCAST Zaria and other colleges.
Later, polytechnics and vocational institutions emerged to meet the increasing demand for technical skills. HUK Polytechnic, evolving from the defunct Katsina College, is one example, providing practical education to support workforce development in the region.
The dual trajectory, ABU absorbing NCAST Zaria and HUK Polytechnic emerging in Katsina, illustrates Northern Nigeria’s deliberate expansion of higher and technical education in different institutional forms.
Historical records show that NCAST Zaria was absorbed into ABU in 1962, and HUK Polytechnic was established in Katsina State in 1983 from a defunct Katsina-based KCAST. There is no credible evidence for a “KCAST, Zaria” in 1980.
Understanding these distinctions preserves accurate institutional history and recognises the distinct contributions of ABU and HUK Polytechnic to Northern Nigeria’s educational development.
Author’s Note
This article clarifies Northern Nigeria’s tertiary education history, distinguishing NCAST Zaria and HUK Polytechnic. It highlights the importance of validating oral accounts and private photographs against archival records, ensuring the accurate preservation of institutional legacy and recognition of their contributions to education, workforce development, and regional growth.
References:
- “History – Ahmadu Bello University.” ABU.edu.ng,
- Ladan, Suleiman Iguda and Yusuf, Abdulazeez Kankia. “An Appraisal of the Role of Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic Towards Industrial Development of Katsina State, Nigeria.” International Journal of Economic and Development Issues, 2011,
