News
FG bars graduation ceremonies for pre-primary to primary five pupils, orders reuse of textbooks
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Federal Government has barred graduation ceremonies for pupils below Primary Six and directed schools to adopt reusable, high-quality textbooks as part of sweeping reforms aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents and improving learning outcomes nationwide.
KANO FOCUS reports that the new policy framework was announced on Friday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Sai’d, as part of ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s education sector.
Under the policy, graduation ceremonies will now be restricted to pupils and students completing Primary Six, Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School Three (SSS3). The ministers said the decision was taken to curb excessive and costly ceremonies that place unnecessary pressure on families.
They also unveiled measures to standardise the use of durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years, while prohibiting the practice of bundling disposable workbooks with textbooks.
According to the ministers, the new approach will allow learning materials to be reused across multiple academic sessions, enable siblings to share textbooks, significantly reduce recurrent education costs for parents, and minimise waste within the school system.
“This initiative prioritises affordability, sustainability, and improved learning outcomes,” the ministers said, adding that parents have long complained about being forced to buy new textbooks annually without meaningful improvements in content.
As part of the reforms, the Federal Government has also introduced a uniform academic calendar to ensure consistency in teaching, learning and school planning across the country.
The policy further strengthens the assessment, quality assurance, selection and use of textbooks and instructional materials nationwide. It introduces structured and meaningful revision cycles, stipulating that any textbook review must reflect substantial improvements in content rather than cosmetic changes such as layout or pagination.
“This will extend the lifespan of approved textbooks and ensure better value for money,” the ministers explained.
In line with international best practices observed in countries such as Japan, Kenya and Tanzania, the policy also limits the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level. This, according to the government, will enhance quality, reduce market saturation and simplify textbook selection for schools and education authorities.
The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to play a central role in evaluating and approving instructional materials to ensure alignment with the national curriculum, working closely with other relevant agencies.
The ministry commended the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), NERDC and other technical partners for their contributions to the new framework.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to education reform, the ministers said the Federal Government remains determined to safeguard educational standards, promote equity, reduce costs for parents and ensure that learners across Nigeria have access to quality instructional materials that support effective teaching and learning.
Suspect returned to Kano to face investigation, prosecution
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested a suspected gang leader and sponsor, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 27-year-old suspect, from Yelwa in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, is accused of sponsoring violent gang clashes that have claimed lives and heightened insecurity in parts of the state.
The task force disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspect was arrested following intelligence-led operations after allegedly fleeing Kano as security operations against gang violence intensified.
According to the statement, operatives tracked him to Port Harcourt and arrested him in an operation led by the task force’s Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe. He has since been returned to Kano.
The task force alleged that Malam Keya played a leading role in orchestrating and financing hoodlums involved in violent attacks in Dala and other affected communities.
The areas reportedly affected by the gang violence include Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama, Kukar Bulukiya, Dala, Shatsari and Dandalin Turawa.
Confirming the arrest, the task force chairman, Barr Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the operation demonstrated the agency’s determination to pursue suspected sponsors of violence beyond Kano State.
“Let me assure you that those who bankroll violence should know that no distance, and no hiding place, will protect them. This arrest is only the beginning. We will not rest until peace is fully restored,” he said.
The task force said the suspect remained in custody for further investigation and would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.
It added that its operations would continue in accordance with the law, with all suspects entitled to due process.
The agency also pledged to sustain efforts to dismantle criminal gangs, identify their alleged sponsors and disrupt drug supply networks linked to criminal activities.
It urged residents, community and religious leaders, parents and youths to support security efforts by reporting suspicious persons and activities, monitoring their neighbourhoods and discouraging young people from being recruited into criminal gangs.
The task force described public cooperation as essential to restoring peace and security across the state.
It also acknowledged the support of the Kano and Rivers state police commands and other law enforcement agencies in the operation.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KASSTOWA) has strengthened security at Joda Waterworks to prevent vandalism, theft and unauthorised access to the facility.
KANO FOCUS reports that the agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, following an assessment visit to the waterworks by its interim managing director to evaluate the security situation.
According to the statement, additional security personnel have been deployed to protect the facility and ensure uninterrupted water supply.
The agency said the measure was part of efforts to safeguard critical water infrastructure and protect public assets from potential threats.
It added that the intervention aligned with the commitment of the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to protecting government facilities and ensuring the delivery of essential services, in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Water Resources.
KASSTOWA also emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in strengthening infrastructure protection.
The agency called on community leaders, traditional institutions, youth organisations and residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities and cooperate with security personnel deployed to the facility.
It stressed that protecting water infrastructure was a shared responsibility requiring the cooperation of government agencies and host communities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Police Command has foiled an alleged kidnapping plot in Gezawa Local Government Area and arrested two 20-year-old suspects over threats to abduct a village head.
KANO FOCUS reports that the suspects, identified as Aliyu Naziru Garba and Bashir Alhasan, were arrested following intelligence-led operations by police operatives attached to the Gezawa Divisional Police Headquarters.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.
According to the statement, the incident was reported on October 26, 2026, at about 1:30 a.m. by the village head of Bangare, Mallam Idris, who told the police that he had received a threatening phone call from an unidentified person on October 24 at about 9:33 p.m.
The caller allegedly threatened to kidnap him.
Following the report, police operatives launched a follow-up operation, which led to the arrest of the two suspects.
“The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime,” the statement said, adding that investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon completion.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended officers of the Gezawa Division for their swift and professional response.
Bakori reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance on criminal activities and said the operation aligned with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which prioritises intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, professionalism and proactive crime prevention.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police station.
The command also provided the following emergency contact numbers for reporting security concerns: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.
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