Headlines
Government is Boosting Education to Transform Nigeria – Dr Suwaiba Said
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revitalizing the education sector as part of efforts to transform the country for greatness.
Speaking today at the opening ceremony of the 7th Education for Sustainable Development Conference organized by the Bayero University’s Centre for Gender Studies at the Convocation Arena, the Minister emphasized the crucial role education plays in national growth and development, and reassured Nigerians that the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is genuine and not just a political gimmick.
The Minister’s speech has rekindled hope among Nigerians that the government is committed to transforming the education sector and improving the lives of citizens
Dr Suwaiba explained that the federal government’s commitment to revitalizing tertiary institutions aimed at not only to serve as centers of learning but as well as hubs of innovation and change. “Education goes beyond acquiring knowledge; it is about shaping minds to create a sustainable future.”
The ESD Program at CGS she said, had amplifies government’s commitment to this vision. She noted that by integrating sustainability into educational curricula, “we are preparing our students to tackle the pressing challenges of our time, including climate change, poverty, and inequality among others”.
The minister disclosed that Youth are central to this administration. Aligned with President Bola Ahmad Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, government therefore welcome and prioritize such initiatives. “As the Minister of state for Education, I am committed to supporting the ESD Program and ensuring that our educational institutions are not just centers of learning but also hubs of innovation and change. This means investing in infrastructure, providing quality teaching materials, and fostering an environment where students can thrive,” she assured.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas in a welcome address he commended the centre for organising the conference describing it as timely and apt.
He said university has established the centre as part of the deliberate effort to promote societal growth and development and thank them for keeping to the mission and vision. Professor Abbas said the Management is always ready to support the activities of the Centre.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Salisu Shehu who is the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council said poor leadership is the bane of the country’s development. He charged leaders to be honest and transparent in all their undertakings
In his address, the Chairman of BUK Governing Council, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna reaffirmed the need for leaders to ensure probity and accountability. He said Nigeria is a blessed country with potentiality to prosper if its resources could be judiciously utilized.
Earlier, the Director of the Centre for Gender Studies Ambassador Dr Safiya Nuhu Ahmed revealed that since 2017, Bayero University Kano has been organizing the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) program, in collaboration with various stakeholders and partners. The ESD program has empowered more than 270 students from more than 20 tertiary institutions.
She said the program’s vision is to equip students with knowledge and skills around the SDGs, to advance the actualization of sustainable development. ESD Ambassadors thus become the bridges through which sustainable development prospects could be achieved. Commendably, BUK has been the pioneer University in Nigeria to train students annually on ‘ESD’, and to institute a mentorship program for the ambassadors’ progressive growth.
“The project essentially targets reducing inequalities between sexes, and age groups by giving skills that equip youth to feel powerful and confident to execute project that alleviate poverty, enhance food security and lead to sustained growth and development.” she declared.
Dr Safiya also hinted that the Project centers the participants’ activities within their environment, which is increasingly threatened by climate change, and integrates climate response into students learning and experience base (SDGs 1,2,10,13 and 17). The project integrates innovative techniques in grooming youth to understand the opportunities presented under the SDGs, and work towards eradicating poverty, ensuring food security and integrating women’s concerns in every development space. It presumes that if youth are trained to be passionate about the wide range of SDGs including SDG 5, gender mainstreaming will be a natural part of their decisions and policies, thus doing away with the need to lobby policy makers and leaders on integrate women’s issues and concerns and give them spaces to have a role in governance, development and other spheres.
Headlines
NAHCON Secures ₦19 Billion Cost Reduction for 2026 Hajj, Pilgrims to Save Over ₦200,000 Each
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a ₦19 billion cost reduction for the 2026 Hajj, following a successful negotiation with Saudi service providers and Nigeria’s State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on the outcome of his recent official visit to Saudi Arabia. He explained that the deal translates to a direct saving of more than ₦200,000 per pilgrim. Nigeria has been allocated 66,910 Hajj slots for the 2026 pilgrimage.
During the visit, NAHCON signed key service contracts with Mashariq Dhahabiyya for Masha’ir operations and Daleel Al-Ma’aleem for transportation. It also secured better accommodation and feeding arrangements in the Markaziyya area of Madinah at competitive rates.
Professor Sale further announced the official fares for the 2026 Hajj as follows:
Maiduguri/Yola: ₦8.12 million
Other northern states: ₦8.24 million
Southern states: ₦8.56 million
He stressed that State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards must remit 50 percent of the fares by October 8, 2025, while full payments from intending pilgrims are due by December 31, 2025.
“The deadlines are critical to enable early bookings and smooth operations,” he said, reaffirming NAHCON’s commitment to delivering a hitch-free Hajj exercise in 2026.
The NAHCON boss also appealed to the media for sustained support in sensitizing the public, noting that effective collaboration will ensure that the commission achieves its goals for Nigerians
… As Gov. Yusuf Condemns CP Bakori’s Partisan Conduct
… Demands His Immediate Removal for Sabotage, Unethical Behaviour
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has condemned in the strongest terms the unprofessional and partisan conduct of the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, describing his actions as deliberate sabotage against the people of Kano and the Nigerian state.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor expressed outrage over the sudden withdrawal of police participation from the 2025 Independence Day celebration in Kano — an order CP Bakori issued just hours before the commencement of the event.
Governor Yusuf said the action was a clear demonstration of bias, insubordination, and betrayal of the Nigeria Police Force’s constitutional duty.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Kano State, we cannot tolerate sabotage to the peace, security, and wellbeing of our citizens. It is disgraceful that a Commissioner of Police would descend so low into partisan politics by boycotting a national event that symbolizes unity, patriotism, and democracy,” Governor Yusuf stated.
The governor accused CP Bakori of consistently aligning with political interests opposed to the will of the people of Kano, thereby eroding public trust in the police command. He described the CP as a “political police officer” who has abandoned professionalism and is actively undermining democracy.
“The police must never be seen as tools of politicians. They are expected to protect all Nigerians, regardless of political leanings. Unfortunately, CP Bakori has turned himself into a willing instrument of division and insecurity in Kano State,” the statement added.
Governor Yusuf therefore led the voices of Kano stakeholders who were present at the 2025 Independence Day Celebration at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, in calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Inspector General of Police to immediately remove CP Bakori from office and replace him with a competent and non-partisan officer who will restore confidence, fairness, and neutrality in policing Kano State.
The stakeholders who joined their voices with that of the Governor included traditional and religious leaders, NNPP members of the state and national assemblies, the business community, youth groups, and labour organizations.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and properties of the people, stressing that no act of sabotage from compromised security officials will succeed in destabilizing Kano under his watch.
He also commended the efforts of other security agencies in the state — with the exception of the police.
Governor Yusuf appreciated the leadership of the state commands of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, and the State Directorate of Security Services, all of whom participated in the 2025 Independence Parade.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Dr. Musa Mohammed Bello, State Focal Person for the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), announced significant progress in a Gavi-funded immunization project implemented in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) across Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, and Borno states since September 2023.
KANO FOCUS reports that the project has recorded notable reductions in the number of zero-dose children those who have not received any vaccines particularly in Kano, where 15 local governments were identified as high-burden areas.
During a recent review meeting focusing on Kano State, stakeholders assessed successes and challenges related to immunization budget allocation, vaccine supply chain disruptions, cold chain management, and access to immunization services by parents and caregivers.
Dr. Bello commended the Kano State government for consistently allocating above 15% of the budget to health surpassing the Abuja Declaration recommendation but pointed out issues with approval and release of funds that hinder smooth project implementation.
He also stressed the need for Kano State to reduce its heavy reliance on donor funding from partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by strengthening local counterpart contributions. Isyaku Lawan Dawakin from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
Dr. Bello further highlighted the strengthening of advocacy and government relationships through the 2023-2024 Accountability Scorecard initiative, which has enabled better communication and cooperation with key government committees on health and appropriation. Evidence-based advocacy built on decentralized immunization monitoring assessments by AFENET has helped identify specific challenges at the local government and health facility levels, informing targeted interventions.
He presented recent data from September 2025 showing high reporting rates from primary health care facilities on routine immunization services via SMS across the targeted local governments, reflecting increased monitoring and responsiveness. The project has fostered deeper understanding of the budgetary process among civil society and health stakeholders, contributing to increased awareness and coordinated action to address zero-dose children.
Crucially, Dr. Bello revealed that Kano State has seen a tremendous decrease in zero-dose children—from over 539,000 in 2020 to around 120,000 by December 2024—attributed to collaborative government and partner efforts.
This achievement underscores the positive impact of strengthened immunization systems, accountability frameworks, and partner coordination in improving child health outcomes across the region.
”This initiative forms part of a broader push to improve immunization coverage and accountability in West Africa, aiming to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated and vulnerable to preventable diseases,” he said.
Isyaku Lawan Dawakin Tofa from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
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