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Kano Schools closure: Students conduct peaceful protest
Nasiru Yusuf
Students of tertiary institutions in Kano state have conducted a peaceful protest against the closure of their schools.
The protest was conducted at Kano state polytechnic, Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education and Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies.
Kano Focus gathered that the students have came to their respective schools on Wednesday for classes, but denied entry by security officials.
This reporter sighted many students at schools’ gate lamenting against government’s decision of closure and singing solidarity songs before it metamorphosis to protest.
A student of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies Mubarak Muhammad told this reporter that he was shocked when he heard that Kano state government has ordered the closure of schools again.
“COVID-19 lock down had seriously affected my studies. We are about to commence examination.
“Education is not receiving deserved attention in this country. If things continue to happen this way, I will leave my studies,” he said.
Another student met in same college Aisha Sani Abdulkadir said she learned the school’s closure when the security denied her access.
She said although, they were denied access to the school, the authorities have also directed police to send them away an act she described as harassment.
“You see now our years of studies have increased. A two year programme has became three years. Likewise a three year’s will now take student four years,” she said.
She noted that students are in serious dilemma, and staying at home is not helping matters.
On her part Salma Muhammad said the government’s directive has interrupted their ongoing examination.
She said they were expecting to round off their examinations on Friday.
Another student at the college, Abubakar Tahir said he heard that the schools were closed due to abduction of boarding school students at Kankara local government area, Katsina state.
He said the peaceful protest was conducted to express their anger against government’s decision.
He said Katsina students were abducted due to insincerity of Nigeria’s leaders who failed to provide adequate security to schools.
A student of Kano state Polytechnic Abubakar Muhammad said they came to school for normal classes, but security send them away.
“Some our are new students, many others are writing their examinations after long COVID-19 vacation.
“Nobody tell us the reason behind the closure. No one tell us when we should come back. We were just ask to leave school’s premises.
“We have no option than to embark on peaceful protest. We were really hurt. I don’t really know my graduation date. And I want get married,” he said.
Kano Focus reports that governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has extended school closure order to tertiary Institutions in the state.
Mr Ganduje gave the order through the state’s Commissioner of higher education Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure and her counterpart of Health, Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa in a press statement issued in the late hours of Tuesday night.
The Governor who didn’t state any reason for the closure of the schools, said affected institutions are all Public and Private Health Training institutions including Schools of basic/postbasic nursing and midwifery, Schools of Health Technology, school of Hygiene, Sa’adatu Rimi college of Education, Kano state Polytechnic, Audu Bako College of Agriculture and Aminu Kano college of Islamic and legal studies.
Part of the statement reads, “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, has approved the closure of all Tertiary Institutions in the State with immediate effect.
“With this approval, all students are advised to vacate the Campuses from tomorrow 16/12/2020. They’re also advised to continue revising their lessons while at home.
“All inconveniences are highly regretted,” the statement however reads.
The Governor had initially through his Commissioner of Education, Muhammad Kiru, ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
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