Management of Islamic Education Institutions in Kano State: Challenges and Strategies

This study examines the management challenges facing Islamic education institutions in Kano State, North West Nigeria, and proposes strategic frameworks for addressing them. Islamic education institutions in Kano, ranging from Quranic schools to integrated Islamic secondary schools, play a pivotal role in the state's educational landscape but operate under persistent administrative, financial, and curriculum management pressures. The study employs a mixed-methods design, using questionnaires administered to 80 school managers and 20 policy officials, supplemented by in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings identify key management challenges including inadequate funding, weak internal governance structures, limited management training among institution heads, and poor record-keeping practices. Schools with formally trained managers demonstrated noticeably better institutional performance across assessed indicators. The study recommends the introduction of mandatory management training programmes for heads of Islamic education institutions, government provision of management improvement grants, and the establishment of a Kano State Islamic Education Management Association to facilitate peer learning and institutional advocacy. These recommendations have direct relevance to school proprietors, state education ministries, and capacity-building organisations working in the northern Nigerian education sector. Keywords: institutional management, Islamic education, Kano State, school administration, governance.