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Almajirai become financial operators, as Kayi Microfinance Bank drives financial inclusion in Northern Nigeria
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
KAYI Microfinance Bank has launched a pioneering digital financial inclusion programme designed specifically for Tsangaya Schools (often referred to as Almajiri schools) in Northern Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that this forward-looking scheme aims to bring underserved communities into the digital banking fold, thereby facilitating economic empowerment and social advancement.

By focusing on these informal learning centers, the bank addresses the financial needs of remote populations that have historically found it difficult to access banking services.
Northern Nigeria has long grappled with serious obstacles to widespread financial inclusion. Geography, weak banking infrastructure, and skepticism toward formal financial establishments often deter community members from engaging with traditional banks.

To tackle these hurdles, KAYI Microfinance Bank has rolled out a pilot project in four states—Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, and Jigawa—equipping Tsangaya schools with the training and resources needed to become local champions of digital financial access.
Each participating Tsangaya school receives a comprehensive support package valued at five million naira, which includes extensive training in business management and financial literacy, a POS device, and seed funding. By making it easier for rural residents to deposit, withdraw, and transfer funds right in their neighborhoods, the programme eliminates the need for long-distance travel.
This localized banking model not only increases community trust in formal financial services but also stimulates local economic activity by keeping more money in circulation within these areas.

A key element of the programme is its focus on education and capacity-building. Through collaboration with malams (teachers or overseers) and their students (almajirai), KAYI ensures that essential skills in financial literacy, business management, and customer service are developed at the grassroots. Rather than simply handing out technology, the bank prioritizes the knowledge and skills necessary to sustain and expand these new cash point businesses.
Over time, Tsangaya schools evolve into essential economic hubs in their communities, offering viable alternatives to street begging through entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
KAYI Microfinance Bank sets itself apart by weaving community development into formal financial systems. By integrating its training initiatives with the cultural and educational practices of Tsangaya schools, the bank nurtures a sense of ownership among local participants. Almajirai and malams, previously unfamiliar with modern banking structures, now serve as key financial intermediaries. Their schools become not just centers of Islamic education, but also launching pads for business ventures that uplift entire neighborhoods.
The overarching impact of this initiative will depend significantly on the involvement of policymakers and government agencies. By offering subsidies or other supportive measures through these grassroots-level programmes, government authorities can extend the reach of this successful model to more states in Northern Nigeria.

By blending technology, targeted education, and a deep respect for cultural values, KAYI Microfinance Bank provides a compelling framework for linking rural populations with broader financial systems. Rural dwellers who lacked access to formal banking services now have opportunities to save securely, receive funds quickly, and potentially invest in small enterprises. These transformative changes are expected to help reduce poverty, combat unemployment, and spark local entrepreneurship.
By spotlighting Tsangaya schools as operational examples, KAYI underscores the fact that even the most marginalized communities can adopt forward-thinking financial strategies when they align with local realities. The result marks a new era for Northern Nigeria, where financial inclusion is evolving from a distant goal into a realistic, tangible process—one that holds the promise of lasting prosperity and equity for countless individuals.
Headlines
“As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”: Imam Reminds Muslims of Divine Justice
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Imam Nura Garba Mato has urged Muslims to remain conscious of their actions, saying that divine reward and punishment often correspond to the nature of people’s deeds.
KANO FOCUS reports that the imam made the call while delivering a Friday sermon at Jami’u Ansar wal Muhajirun Jumaa Mosque, Cotton Ginnery Layout, Zawaciki, Kano State.
The sermon, titled “Al-Jazā’u Min Jinsil-‘Amal” (Recompense Is According to the Nature of Deeds), focused on the Islamic teaching that people’s actions have consequences and that good deeds attract divine reward.
Imam Mato said Allah had established enduring principles in human life that do not change, urging Muslims to understand these principles and allow them to guide their conduct.
He explained that one of these principles was that recompense corresponds to the nature of one’s actions, stressing the importance of living righteously and fulfilling one’s responsibilities to Allah and fellow human beings.
The imam called on Muslims to observe *taqwa* (consciousness of Allah), remain steadfast in their faith and follow the teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
He also highlighted the importance of helping people in difficulty, easing the burdens of others and showing compassion to fellow Muslims.
Quoting a prophetic tradition, the imam emphasised that whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship in this world will receive relief from Allah on the Day of Resurrection.
He further explained that whoever conceals the faults of a fellow Muslim would receive Allah’s concealment of their faults on the Day of Resurrection, while those who make things easier for people in difficulty would receive Allah’s assistance in this world and the Hereafter.
The sermon also underscored the importance of supporting others, noting that a Muslim’s relationship with Allah should be reflected in their treatment of fellow human beings.
Imam Mato urged Muslims to reflect on their deeds and recognise that their conduct carries consequences, encouraging them to embrace good actions, assist those in need and uphold the teachings of Islam in their daily lives.
He stressed that Muslims should make righteousness, compassion and service to others central to their lives in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure and success in the Hereafter.
Headlines
Kano Govt Orders Retired Civil Servants to Vacate Offices, Hand Over Government Property
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has directed all civil servants who have attained their statutory retirement age or completed the required length of service to immediately vacate their offices and hand over government property in their possession.
KANO FOCUS reports that the directive was contained in Circular issued on Tuesday by the Establishment Directorate, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Kano State.
The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Abba A. Danguguwa, on behalf of the Head of Civil Service, was titled: “Unauthorized Continuance in Service After Statutory Retirement by Civil Servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government – Call for Immediate Handing Over of Official Documents, Properties.”
The government said it had observed that some civil servants continued to remain in office and operate in official capacities after reaching their statutory retirement period.
According to the circular, such conduct was a “negation to the reputation of the Civil Service of Kano State,” noting that the service had a long-standing tradition of ensuring seamless transition by retiring civil servants.
It described the continued stay in service after retirement as a direct infraction and aberration of relevant provisions of the State Civil Service Rules and other applicable service regulations.
The government stressed that it was legally and administratively untenable for any officer to remain in service or perform official functions beyond the statutory limit.
Consequently, all civil servants who had retired either by age or length of service were directed to immediately exit and hand over all official documents, government property and duties to their immediate subordinates in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
The circular also directed all Accounting Officers, including Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives, as well as Directors of Administration and Personnel Management, to ensure strict and immediate compliance with the directive.
It warned that any officer found aiding, abetting or condoning the continued stay of a retired officer in service would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.
The directive takes immediate effect, the circular stated.
Headlines
Kano Settles N32bn Pension, Gratuity Liabilities, Says Gov Yusuf
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf says his administration has settled approximately N32 billion out of the N48 billion inherited backlog of gratuities and related liabilities owed to retirees in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Gov Yusuf disclosed this on Thursday while addressing residents at the 66th Independence Anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium in Kano.
The governor said the government had also sustained the regular payment of monthly pensions while increasing the minimum monthly pension from N5,000 to N20,000.
He said the welfare of workers and pensioners remained a priority of his administration, citing timely payment of salaries, improved remuneration and measures aimed at strengthening the public service.
According to him, the state has maintained the practice of paying workers’ salaries on or before the 25th of every month while implementing the N71,000 minimum wage for civil servants.
Gov Yusuf also said his administration was sponsoring public servants for professional training, including programmes at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), to strengthen their administrative and leadership capacity.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a professional and motivated workforce, while ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of serving workers and retirees were recognised and treated with dignity.
