Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Executive Secretary of the National Educational Research and Development Council, Prof. Salisu Shehu, has disclosed that only 30 per cent of school-age children in Northern Nigeria are currently attending school.

KANO FOCUS reports that Prof. Shehu made the revelation on Saturday while delivering a lecture at the 10th Ramadan Lecture organised by the Islamic Forum of Nigeria in Kano.

He said Nigeria presently has over 20 million out-of-school children, a figure he noted is rising due to armed banditry in the North-West and insurgency in the North-East. According to him, the closure of many schools in some states as a result of insecurity has further worsened the situation.

The educationist also expressed concern over the shortage of teachers in schools, despite increasing retirements, deaths, transfers and career changes among teaching staff. He lamented that examination malpractice, combined with weak oversight, has led to what he described as a collapse of the education system in Northern Nigeria.

“Products of examination malpractice are now becoming teachers and lecturers, thereby perpetuating the cycle,” he said.

Prof. Shehu warned that lack of access to education is contributing to thuggery and banditry in the region, stressing that education produces responsible citizens, while ignorance breeds irresponsibility.

He urged Northern governors to declare a state of emergency in the education sector and prioritise funding and reforms. He also advised citizens to establish education endowment funds, citing examples from Bangladesh and Malaysia where Muslim communities have addressed similar challenges through charitable initiatives.

The professor criticised what he described as misplaced priorities, questioning why some governors sponsor pilgrimages while many citizens lack access to basic education and quality healthcare.

Presenting a paper on the fate of Northern Nigeria in terms of security, Alhaji Ibrahim Ado Kurawa linked climate change and global warming to the worsening security challenges in the North-East. He identified the longstanding farmer-herder conflict as a root cause of banditry in the North-West.

Kurawa noted that insecurity has contributed to making the North-East and North-West the poorest regions in the country. He expressed dismay that Northern Nigeria has failed to effectively address the issues of almajiranci and out-of-school children since the First Republic.

He called for sincerity in governance, political reforms and greater collaboration among Northern groups such as the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), alongside the Islamic Forum of Nigeria.

On the economic outlook of the region, Prof. Kabiru Isa Dandago decried rising poverty, unemployment, overdependence and the high cost of living as major challenges confronting Northern Nigeria. He advocated for a strategic development plan and urged voters to elect credible leaders as a pathway to change.

In his address, the Chairman of the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, Gen. Ahmad Muhammad Daku, said the 2026 edition marked the 10th anniversary of the annual Ramadan lecture series. Represented by Alhaji M.T. Bello, he noted that the topics were carefully selected to address contemporary issues affecting Northern Nigeria.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Forum, Alhaji Dalhatu Gwarzo, appreciated the lead presenters, particularly Prof. Shehu, for their contributions. He announced that a team of rapporteurs had been constituted to compile the papers and comments for a post-Ramadan roundtable discussion with stakeholders.

Gwarzo also revealed plans to publish a compendium of the ten Ramadan lectures delivered over the past decade for the benefit of the Muslim community. He urged Muslims to pray for Northern Nigeria, the country and the world amid prevailing challenges.

He further appealed to political leaders to ensure proper implementation of the new Computer-Based Test (CBT) policy for candidates sitting for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) senior secondary school examinations.

Former Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Sule Yahaya Hamma, said 80 per cent of Northern Nigeria’s problems could be addressed by governors, urging them to take decisive action in their respective states.

Chairman of the Council of Ulama, Malam Ibrahim Khalil, emphasised patriotic leadership as a solution to current challenges, citing the example of Khalifa Umar bin Abdulaziz as a model of responsible governance.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Emir of Rano, Amb. Muhammad Isa Umaru, and the Madakin Zazzau, Alhaji Munir Jafaru.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Kano State Police Command has announced the suspension of the traditional Tashe performance usually held during the month of Ramadan, citing security concerns.

KANO FOCUS reports that in a public announcement issued on Saturday, the Command said the decision was taken in liaison with the Kano State Government to safeguard public safety and prevent criminal elements from exploiting the festivities.

The statement noted that the annual Tashe event has, in recent times, been used by some individuals to perpetrate crimes such as thuggery, handset snatching and drug abuse. According to the police, adequate security measures have been put in place to curb such activities and ensure a peaceful Ramadan period across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, urged parents, guardians and members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by cautioning their children and wards against engaging in activities that could disrupt law and order. He warned that anyone found violating the law would face the full consequences.

The Command, however, extended its best wishes to residents of Kano State for a successful and peaceful Ramadan fast.

For emergencies, the police advised residents to contact the Command through its designated helplines or use the “NPF Rescue Me” application available on the Google Play Store.

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.