Headlines
Kano Govt begins review of 60 year old education law
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has begun reviewing its “Education Law 1964” as part of effort to overhaul education sector in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the FCDO PLANE programme in collaboration with Kano State Government and Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) organised a three day workshop to achieve this at Hotel Seventeen, Kaduna.
Yushau Hamza, Chairman House Committee on Education Sulaiman Mukhtar Madobi and member representing Gwarzo
The workshop brought together members of Kano state House of Assembly, seasoned educationists, academics, staff of ministries of education and justice as well as civil society organisations to contribute to the review.
Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, a commissioner of higher education said the review of the state’s education law which was enacted in 1964 were long overdue.
He said that the strategic move was aimed at enhancing the quality of education, fostering critical thinking, and equipping students with the necessary skills to thrive in a dynamic world.
Cross Section of Diginatries at the event
The commissioner emphasised the importance of a robust educational law, while highlighting that the current law required updates to meet contemporary educational demands and aspirations of the state.
“The world is changing rapidly and our education system must keep pace with the changes.
“We need education law that not only imparts knowledge but also develops the critical thinking and problem-solving skills of our young learners.
“This review will involve key stakeholders, including educators, academics, civil society organisations, and experts, to ensure a holistic approach to development,” he said.
A Cross section of participants
Kofar Mata said that the review process would encompass various aspects of the education, including basic, post basic and tertiary.
He said it would also integrate modern technology and innovative practices, to create an engaging and effective learning environment for students.
He reaffirmed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s and the Ministry’s commitment to prioritising education as the cornerstone of Kano’s development agenda.
In his remarks the chairman House Committee on Education and member representing Madobi constituency in the State House of Assembly Sulaiman Mukhtar Madobi called on the participants to look into the deficiency of English language among students of Arabic Secondary Schools.
Sulaiman Mukhtar Madobi
The legislator urged stakeholders to actively participate in the review process, noting that public hearing would be organised by the State Assembly to gather input and recommendations from diverse groups.
He said this would ensure that the revised law reflects the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian society.
“The state Assembly remains committed to improving the quality of education at all levels, and believes that this education review is a critical step towards achieving that goal.
A Cross section of the participants
He, therefore, expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their dedication and called for continued collaboration.
Also speaking, representative of commissioner of education, Director Planning, Research and Statistics in the state ministry of education Malam Munzali Mustapha announced that several attempts to review the law by previous administration failed due to non engagement of legal practitioners in the process.
Malam Munzali Mustapha
In his submission the representative of Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) Dr Abdussalam Kani pledged the commitment and contribution of the Forum towards a successful review of the law.
Dr Abdussalam Kani
The lead Consultant Prof. Usman Muhammad Zunnurain said sixty years is a very long period in the life of any given legislation that will necessitate a review.
He observed that, “a lot of developments took place within this period under review that require the coverage of the legal framework regulating the sector.
Prof. Usman Muhammad Zunnurain
“Key among these developments/issues include, establishment of new agencies; evolution of some new societal norms; yearning for all inclusive education to cover issues of indigence, gender, disability and other forms of vulnerabilities; need for security of schools in the face of challenging insurgency and banditry; aligning the law with the National and International standards and best practices; provision of functional education catering for skills acquisitions for self-reliance; taming the contemporary challenges of social media and other ICTs, etc.”
Earlier, the PLANE programme facilitator Hajiya Umma Rakana said “the purpose of the law review workshop is to critically examine the law, identify its weakness, inadequacies and deficiencies in achieving effective regulations of the issues/challenges by the contemporary development.
Hajiya Umma Rakana
“At the end, the workshop will suggest areas of amendment to align the law with the emerging issues/challenges.”
Participants in the group picture
Highlights of the event includes goodwill messages from the Solicitor General and permanent secretary ministry of justice Barrister Mustapha and member representing Gwarzo Constituency Yunusa Haruna Kayyu.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Civil society organisations, government officials and development partners have called for stronger financing, improved coordination and enhanced accountability to tackle malnutrition at the Local Government Area (LGA) level.
KANO FOCUS reports that the call was made at a high-level meeting convened by the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria in collaboration with the State Committee on Food and Nutrition. The meeting brought together representatives of LGAs, relevant ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, media actors and nutrition advocates to review the status of nutrition financing and governance at the grassroots.
Participants described the forum as a strategic platform for dialogue and collective commitment aimed at accelerating progress in addressing malnutrition through strengthened governance structures, sustainable financing and community-driven accountability systems.
Key Concerns Raised
Stakeholders expressed concern over the persistently high burden of malnutrition in several LGAs, noting alarming rates of stunting, wasting, micronutrient deficiencies and maternal malnutrition. They warned that these trends pose serious threats to child survival, cognitive development and long-term productivity.
The meeting also highlighted inadequate and inconsistent budgetary allocations for nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions across federal, state and LGA levels. In many cases, participants observed, funds are either insufficient or released irregularly, undermining effective implementation and sustainability of nutrition programmes.
Other challenges identified included weak multi-sectoral coordination among critical sectors such as health, agriculture, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and social protection; limited community engagement and accountability systems; and technical capacity gaps at the LGA level affecting planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting.
Resolutions and Commitments
In response to the identified gaps, stakeholders resolved to prioritise investment in preventive, high-impact, low-cost nutrition interventions while strengthening curative measures at the grassroots. They emphasised that LGA budget allocations should focus more on preventive strategies to reduce long-term costs and save more lives.
Participants also pledged support for scaling up the local production of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) as both a preventive and therapeutic measure against acute malnutrition, while strengthening local economic value chains.
The meeting further resolved to improve budgetary releases for nutrition interventions, reactivate and strengthen Local Government Committees on Food and Nutrition (LGCFN), and revitalise coordination mechanisms at state and LGA levels to ensure integrated, evidence-based programming.
Stakeholders committed to facilitating continuous capacity building for LGA nutrition focal persons, civil society organisations and community structures. They also agreed to institutionalise community-led monitoring and social accountability mechanisms to track budget releases and service delivery performance.
In addition, participants called for intensified behaviour change communication campaigns promoting optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), dietary diversity, micronutrient supplementation and maternal nutrition. Traditional, religious and community leaders, as well as women’s groups, are to be engaged as nutrition champions.
Call to Action
The meeting urged state governments to prioritise nutrition in annual budgets, ensure timely release and efficient utilisation of funds, and institutionalise performance tracking mechanisms.
Local Government Authorities were called upon to mainstream nutrition into development plans, strengthen primary healthcare delivery systems, ensure functional Ward Development Committees and reactivate LGCFN platforms.
Development partners were encouraged to sustain and expand technical and financial support in alignment with national and subnational priorities.
Communities and caregivers were advised to adopt improved nutrition practices for children, adolescents, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
The media and civil society organisations were also tasked with institutionalising quarterly budget performance review sessions across the 44 LGAs, publicly recognising high-performing LGAs while constructively engaging those performing below expectations.
Commitment to Action
In their concluding remarks, stakeholders reaffirmed that improving nutrition at the LGA level is urgent and foundational to Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation. They stressed that ending malnutrition requires coordinated action, strong political will, transparent financing, empowered communities and sustained investment.
The communiqué was endorsed by Tijjani M., Mustapha Uba and Aminu Musa Saji of the Ministry for Local Government, as well as Sheriff Abubakar of CS-SUN Kano State.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Police Command has arrested six suspected members of a car theft syndicate and recovered three stolen vehicles in a major breakthrough against vehicle-related crimes in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the arrest followed intelligence-led operations by the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS), acting on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to intensify technology-driven crime-fighting strategies.
According to a statement issued on February 22, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the operation was carried out under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
The statement said the prime suspect, Aliyu Mamman, 35, was arrested on February 13, 2026, at Hotoro Ring Road in Kano. The suspect, a resident of Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, allegedly confessed to stealing vehicles in Kano, Kaduna and Katsina states.
During interrogation, Mamman reportedly implicated other members of the syndicate identified as Abdulhamid Usman, Saliha Abdulhamid, Auwal Shuaibu, Sani Bala and Ahmad Mannir. All six suspects are currently in police custody.
Police said the suspects’ confessions led to the recovery of three stolen vehicles: a Golf Wagon, a Golf Opel and a Hijet (popularly known as Kurkura).
Commissioner of Police Bakori commended the Special Intervention Squad for their professionalism and dedication, noting that the Command remains committed to sustaining operations aimed at curbing criminal activities across the state.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring a safe and secure environment for all residents in line with the Inspector-General’s vision of community-oriented policing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the winners of Saturday’s bye-elections in Kano State, describing their victory as a sacred mandate from the people.
In a State House press release issued on February 22, 2026, and signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President lauded the outcome of the polls conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies.
President Tinubu urged the victorious candidates to serve with humility, patriotism and dedication, stressing that the mandate given to them by the electorate should be regarded as a sacred trust.
He also congratulated the national and Kano State leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as party members, on what he described as their success at the polls.
The President commended INEC, security agencies and voters for ensuring the peaceful and successful conduct of the elections, noting that the process reflected growing democratic maturity.
He further praised all contestants for their courage and discipline, stating that democracy thrives on vibrant participation and healthy competition.
President Tinubu affirmed that the smooth conduct of the elections strengthens Nigeria’s democratic culture and institutions, and called on INEC to continue improving its processes to deliver even more exemplary electoral outcomes in the future.
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