School of Hygiene, Kano as one of the oldest Health Institution in the Country was established in 1932 by the Colonial Masters under the governing body known as the Royal Society of Health (RSH) London. The School was first opened by Dr. N.S. Turnbull (An English man), who was at that time the Medical Officer of Health, Kano. The training commenced at Government Health Office with candidates as (Native Authority) Sanitary Inspectors who attend 9 months course in vernacular (Hausa). The then Medical Officer of Health was the Principal and one Tutor.

In 1934, the School started recruitment of candidates with required educational standard for training as Government Health Inspectors. At the same time additional Health Superintendent was posted as tutor to the School and this saw the change in the system of teaching from Hausa to English.

The West African Health Examination Board of the Royal Society of Health decided that as from 1st January, 1959, only those candidates in possession of a West African School Certificate or a G.C.E., with passes in English and a science subject should be admitted for training as Government Health Inspectors. With creation of State in 1967, the School came under the Interim Common Services Agency. On 1st April, 1970 the School was transferred to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. Finally it was taken over by Kano State Government on 1st January, 1985. The School was primarily established to train middle health manpower for the Federation but more emphasis was given to the candidates from the Northern part of Nigeria. Government and Private organizations are responsible for sponsoring candidates into the School. Graduates of the School were among the health personnel who helped in the eradication of smallpox in 1970’s. They are still in the fore front in the control of any epidemic disease in the Country. They are employed largely within the scope of primary health care system.

The school considers it pertinent to partner with relevant institutions in its drive to meet the Public/Environmental Health demands of the contemporary world.