History of Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, TalataMafara
The present day Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, TalataMafara has a long standing history. Its origin dates back to the emergence of The Staff Training Centre, Sokoto in 1956, which was eventually renamed Staff Development Centre, Sokoto in 1972. It is the staff development centre that was later amalgamated with community development institute, BirninKebbi and Home economics Centre, Gusau, to constitute an arm called College of Administration Sokoto which formed part of the then polytechnic of Sokoto State, BirninKebbi in 1980.
The geographical division in the country in 1991 saw the creation of Kebbi State from the former Sokoto State. The former Sokoto State leadership of Col. Bashir Salihi Magashi thought it is desirable then to establish its own polytechnic at Talata Mafara, to take advantage of the existing structure meant for a technical college already there. Still the college of administration Farfaru remained an integral part of the proposed polytechnic and served as the temporary site.
The laudable proposal eventually became a reality in 1992, when His Excellency, the then Governor of Sokoto State Mallam Yahaya Abdulkarim signed the Bill establishing the polytechnic. In Feb 1995, the Government of Sokoto State renamed the institution to Abdu Gusau Polytechnic after the Late Engr. Abdu Gusau who died in November 1994. This renaming was done in order to recognize the contribution of the Late Engineer who was the first engineer from the former Sokoto State. In Oct. 1996 the Federal Government created Zamfara State out of the then Sokoto State, a situation which necessitated the hurried relocation of the institution to its partially completed permanent site in TalataMafara as it was not possible legally for Zamfara State to continue to sustain an institution belonging to it but located in Sokoto State. By the end of 1996, the institution had completed its relocation paving way for the commencement of the new session (1996/1997) by Feb. 1997. While being grateful to Allah Almighty for making the movement possible, the management and the State Government also appreciate the understanding and co-operation exhibited by the staff, students, TalataMafara Local Government and the host Community at that crucial moment. It is on record that the staff and students lived and worked under extreme hardship at that time, while efforts were being, made to gradually ameliorate the situation.
Abdu Gusau Polytechnic is now a fully developed institution offering programmes in all fields of human endeavour. This can be testified to when its numerous alumni from all parts of the country are considered. It is now set to meet up with the challenges of the universal technological advancements.
Source: agpmafara.edu.ng
