Headlines
Year in Review: Major Kano education stories in 2019
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The outgoing year 2019 certainly recorded major events in the education sector of Kano state. Issues like sexual harassment in tertiary institutions, declaration of free and compulsory education by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje as well as abolition of the HND/Degree dichotomy in public service by the Kano state government dominated public discussions in the sector.
Below are some of the issues picked by Kano Focus:
Sexual harassment in tertiary institutions
A number of students in Kano tertiary institutions have experienced the pains of sexual harassment in the hands of staff, particularly academic ones, working in the affected institutions.
In August, a magistrate court remanded the Vice Principal of School of Health Technology Bebeji in prison for five days over allegations of sexually harassing a married student.
The suspect Mas’ud Abdullahi, who had completed his PhD and was about to join the staff of Federal University Dutse, allegedly demanded sex from the student in exchange for marks even though he was aware that she was married.
Mr Abdullahi was arraigned before Magistrate Aminu Fagge, who later granted him bail and released his ID card and vehicle which was confiscated as exhibits.
The court however refused the request to release the mobile phone of the suspect, saying it contained evidence of Mr Abdullahi’s romantic messages sent to the victim.
Another lecturer, Ali Shehu, working with the Kano School of Technology, was also arrested during a sting operation while he reportedly inserted his fingers in the private parts of his female student, whom he had pestered for sex.
Mr Shehu, 36, was arraigned at Kano Chief Magistrates Court and later remanded in prison custody after pleading guilty to the charges of breach of trust and sexual harassment, offenses that contradict sections 95 and 98 of the penal code.
However the Kano State Polytechnic disowned the suspect.
Reacting to the development, registrar of the Polytechnic, Ado Mohammadu expressed shock on the incidence and told journalists that the accused was not a staff of the institution.
The registrar clarified that thought, Shehu was posted from the office of the Head of Service, Kano state on a part-time job with the Polytechnic.
Kwankwaso offers foreign scholarship to 370 First Class graduates
The Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation, in Kano offered foreign scholarship to 370 postgraduate students to study in universities in India and Sudan.
Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso, the founder of the foundation and former governor of Kano state, made the disclosure at a send-off party for beneficiaries of the programme in Kano.
He said the foundation had paid all the fees ranging from tuition, accommodation and personal allowances for the beneficiaries as well as their return tickets.
Yusuf Maitama Sule University hold maiden convocation
At least 80 students graduated with first class degrees from Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (YUMSUK) when the university conducted its first, second and third combined convocation ceremony in Kano city.
During the event 755 students graduated with second class upper; 1, 309 got lower second class, while 312 graduated with third class degrees out of a total of 2, 456 students.
Also 527 students were graduates from 2015/2016 session, 693 were from the 2016/2017 academic session, while 1, 236 graduated from 2017/2018 session.
Kano medical students stranded in India over N22m school fees
In February, 14 medical students from Kano State studying in India on the state government’s scholarship with deportation following the failure of the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration to offset their school fees of about N22 million ($59,200).
The stranded students were among several others placed on foreign scholarships by the administration of former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The 14 students who were studying medicine in India’s SS Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre (SSIMS and RC), Davanagere, ran into trouble when the state government reportedly declined to clear their outstanding school fees.
Kano University beats UNN, Yaba Tech in national essay competition
The Kano State Univervisity of Science and Technology (KUST) Wudil emerged winner in the National Engineering, Science and Technology Essay Competition (NESTEC) beating University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and Yaba College of Technology to the 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
Ganduje declares free, compulsory education
In May 2019 the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, declared free primary and secondary education for school-age children in the state.
Governor Ganduje made the declaration in his acceptance speech, shortly after being sworn in as Kano State Governor for a second term in.
He promised free and compulsory basic education for all school-age children in Kano.
According to him, tertiary education for Kano indigenes will also be subsidized.
Kano abolishes Degree HND dichotomy
Another development to remember in 2019 is the abolition of the dichotomy between the Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelors’ degree holders in the state.
Ganduje made this known during the workers day celebrations at Sani Abacha Stadium.
According to Ganduje, his administration will continue to give priority to the welfare of civil servants and all residents of the state.
The Kano branch National Labour Congress (NLC) chairman Kabiru Ado Minjibir, appealed to the state government to implement payment of allowances for workers of state tertiary institution as applicable to their colleagues in the Federal civil service.
Ganduje pays N2bn debt for Kano students in Sudan University
Kano State Government settled over N2 billion outstanding fees of its students in El-Razi University in Sudan.
The state government said the debt was incurred by the administration of ex-governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Ganduje said he inherited the students from the previous administration with a lot of money to be paid.
The governor added that the administration also paid over N300 million to Cyprus University to enable students sponsored by the state to complete their programmes.
Kano School of Nursing upgraded to degree awarding institution
The Kano State House of Assembly amended the law establishing the state College of Nursing and Midwifery to enable it commence award of Degree, Diploma and Higher National Diploma (HND).
The House Majority Leader, Alhaji Labaran Abdul-Madari said the college which has been awarding only certificates will now be upgraded to award degrees and other certificates.
According to him, the law will also give the college the opportunity to admit students with five credits, including Mathematics, English and Biology especially those at the rural areas for one year training on nursing and midwifery.
He explained that this will give students from rural areas opportunities to gain knowledge on nursing, so they can help reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has sworn in six newly appointed commissioners, three advisers and 19 permanent secretaries as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the ceremony followed the confirmation of the six commissioner nominees by the Kano State House of Assembly on October 26, 2026, after completing the legislative screening process.
The newly sworn-in commissioners are Air Commodore Salisu Yusha’u (retd.), assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services; Ibrahim Namadi Dala, Investment; Prof. Sani Lawan Manunfashi, Higher Education; Muktar Ishaq Yakasai, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Science and Technology; and Idris Garba Mustapha, Special Duties.
In a related development, the governor announced a minor cabinet reshuffle involving the redeployment of two commissioners to different ministries.
Under the new arrangement, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who previously served as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, has been moved to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
Similarly, Hamza Kachaco has been redeployed to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle leaves the Ministries of Information and Internal Affairs, as well as Solid Minerals and Mineral Resources, vacant pending further decisions by the state government.
According to a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the appointments and redeployments are aimed at strengthening government institutions, improving administrative efficiency and repositioning key ministries for effective service delivery.
The governor urged the new appointees to demonstrate dedication, integrity and commitment to their responsibilities, stressing the need to prioritise public interest and contribute to the development of the state.
He also charged them to work collaboratively in advancing his administration’s development agenda and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Gov Yusuf congratulated the appointees and wished them success in their respective assignments.
Ibrahim Khalil
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has redeployed the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, to the Ministry of Youths and Sports as part of a cabinet reshuffle involving eight ministries.
KANO FOCUS reports that under the new arrangement, Waiya moves from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Youths and Sports, while Hon. Hamza Safyanu Kachako has been transferred from the Ministry of Mineral Resources to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle also assigns new commissioners to several ministries.
Hon. Yushau Soja has been assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security, while Hon. Idris Garba Mustapha will oversee the Ministry of Special Duties.
Similarly, Hon. Muntari Ishaq Yakasai has been assigned to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Hon. Ibrahim Namadi Dala will head the Ministry of Commerce.
Other appointments include Hon. Ibrahim Tsanyawa as Commissioner for Science and Technology and Prof. Sani Lawal as Commissioner for Higher Education.
The reshuffle affects eight ministries, with the changes involving both new portfolio assignments and the redeployment of serving commissioners.
Headlines
Albasu APC ieaders accuse council chairman, state assembly member of anti-party activities
They accuse council chairman, state lawmaker of supporting opposition senatorial candidate
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Albasu Local Government Area of Kano State have petitioned Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the party’s State Working Committee over alleged anti-party activities involving the council chairman, Garba Aliyu Hungu, and the member representing Albasu Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Musa Tahir Hungu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the petitioners accused the two officials of maintaining political relationships with Kasim Ibrahim Bataiya, the New Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Kano South, and allegedly working against the interests of the APC and its candidate, Senator Kawu Sumaila.
The petition, reportedly signed by more than 300 party officials and stakeholders across the wards and local government area, urged the governor and the party leadership to investigate the allegations and determine whether the conduct of the two officials violated the APC constitution.
According to the petitioners, the relationship between the officials and Bataiya predated their emergence as APC candidates, alleging that the NDC candidate had played a role in securing their previous political tickets.
They claimed that the relationship had continued despite their current political affiliations, raising concerns about their loyalty to the APC.
The petitioners further alleged that some elected councillors, political appointees and local government party officials had participated in activities organised by Bataiya, including attending his campaign rallies and mobilising support for his senatorial ambition.
One of the allegations was that the local government chairman provided the council’s town hall for political meetings and the launch of Bataiya’s senatorial campaign.
The stakeholders also accused the chairman and the lawmaker of frustrating efforts by party elders to investigate the alleged involvement of some APC councillors and executive committee members in the opposition candidate’s campaign activities.
They said a fact-finding committee was constituted under the leadership of Dr Yunusa Adamu Dangwani to examine the allegations but claimed that the two officials prevented it from carrying out its assignment.
The petitioners also alleged that the local government leadership failed to organise meetings with members of the APC legacy group despite what they described as directives from the governor and the party leadership.
They said one meeting was eventually held through the intervention of the member representing Albasu, Gaya and Ajingi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, but subsequent attempts to convene further meetings allegedly failed due to the chairman’s lack of commitment.
On the distribution of government empowerment programmes, the petitioners alleged that benefits intended for APC members and supporters were often diverted to individuals considered loyal to the NDC senatorial candidate.
They expressed concern that genuine APC members in the area were being marginalised and called for greater accountability in the distribution of government interventions.
The petition also cited the mobilisation of party members for the presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna, alleging that while other local governments provided at least 30 buses for the exercise, Albasu provided only 17.
Another issue raised was the continued participation of the serving Amirul Hajj in NDC activities. The petitioners alleged that the individual had retired from public service about two years ago but had yet to be replaced by the local government leadership.
They argued that the alleged activities could undermine party discipline, unity and the APC’s electoral prospects in Albasu and the wider Kano South Senatorial District.
The stakeholders consequently urged Governor Yusuf, whom they described as the party leader in Kano State, and the State Working Committee to examine the allegations under Article 21 of the APC constitution and determine whether the conduct of the two officials amounts to punishable anti-party activities.
However, they called for a fair and impartial process, urging the party leadership to invite the accused officials to respond to the allegations before taking any disciplinary action.
The petitioners maintained that their action was intended to protect the party’s interests, promote accountability and strengthen its unity at the grassroots, rather than malign any individual or prejudge the outcome of an investigation.
The petition was signed by Hon. Adamu Abdu Fanda, Caucus Chairman; Hon. Wada Ibrahim Daho, Caucus Secretary; former Kano State House of Assembly member, Hon. Sunusi Usman Bataiya; Isyaka Danyaya, Albasu APC Deputy Chairman; and other local government and ward officials.
Efforts to contact Garba Aliyu Hungu and Musa Tahir Hungu for their reactions to the allegations were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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