Education

A former Commissioner of Education in Kano State, Hon. Muhammad Sanusi S. Kiru, has defended the 2021 closure of selected schools in the state, saying recent nationwide shutdowns of schools due to escalating insecurity have vindicated the precautionary measures taken during his tenure. In a statement released on Saturday, Kiru recalled that the Kano State Government ordered the temporary closure of schools in early 2021 after security intelligence indicated that armed groups were targeting institutions located on interstate highways, lacking perimeter fencing, or situated in remote areas with delayed access for emergency response. He explained that the decision was aimed strictly at safeguarding students and staff, noting that the affected schools met specific risk criteria. According to him, the closures were followed by intensified security operations that disrupted several kidnapping networks at the time. Read Also: Former Education Commissioner Criticizes Relocation of GGSS Maikwatashi, Calls It a Misguided Decision Kiru praised security agencies in Kano for what he described as a highly cooperative working relationship during his tenure, urging the current administration to strengthen collaboration with security formations rather than “condemning them through cheap blackmail.” His comments come days after the Federal Government ordered the immediate shutdown of 47 Federal Unity Colleges across the country due to rising security threats. Katsina State also closed all public boarding schools following recent abductions, while other states have taken similar measures in response to heightened attacks on educational institutions. Kiru stated that these actions closely mirror the risk-based approach adopted in Kano in 2021, describing the alignment between federal and state decisions as “a clear endorsement” of the method used by the previous administration. He argued that the consistency of these measures across different levels of government shows that the earlier closures in Kano were professional, evidence-based, and timely. The former commissioner criticised the NNPP-led Kano State Government for what he described as the politicisation of past security decisions, urging it to “never again play politics with issues of safety.” He said repeated attempts to portray the 2021 closures as insensitive were misleading and disrespectful to families whose children may have been protected by the move. Kiru called on the present administration to review the security reports that informed the 2021 closures, retract what he termed “unfounded allegations,” and publicly acknowledge that the previous government’s actions were appropriate and life-saving. The statement was signed by Hon. Muhammad Sanusi S. Kiru, FCIA, who served as Kano State Commissioner of Education during the period in question.

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to establishing a Polytechnic in Gaya Local Government Area as part of efforts to expand access to technical and vocational education in the state. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Wednesday, the governor disclosed this while flagging off the second batch of the 1,001 Foreign and Domestic Postgraduate Scholarship Programme at the Government House, Kano. Governor Yusuf said the planned Polytechnic is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education, noting the critical role of skills acquisition and innovation in job creation and economic growth. Read Also: Northwest University Kano Appoints Professor Aisha Garba Habib as Acting Vice Chancellor He stated that once operational, the institution will provide young people in Gaya and surrounding communities with the opportunity to acquire quality education and practical training that will prepare them for decent employment or entrepreneurship. The governor added that the Polytechnic will also serve as a training hub for artisans and craftsmen seeking to upgrade their skills and obtain formal qualifications, thereby contributing to the state’s socio-economic development. He reaffirmed that the State Government is working to ensure all necessary arrangements are finalised for the smooth take-off of the institution within the shortest possible time. Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that the establishment of the Gaya Polytechnic will significantly boost the local economy through job creation, increased business activities, reduced rural-urban migration, and enhanced inclusive development.

Comrade Ismail Hussaini of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Comrade Jamilu Abubakar of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have won the Congregation Representative to Council election at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil. The election, conducted on Wednesday during the 17th Congregation of the university, saw both candidates — backed by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) — emerge victorious with 338 and 287 votes respectively, out of 482 valid ballots. With the results, JAC — comprising SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) — secured both available seats, marking what observers described as a landslide and historic win for the coalition. The triumph is widely seen as a vote of confidence in JAC’s united front, credibility, and commitment to staff welfare and representation at ADUSTECH. Read Also: University of Abuja Governing Council Appoints New Vice-Chancellor Speaking shortly after the announcement, Comrade Hussaini, who also chairs JAC, expressed gratitude to staff for their overwhelming support. “Though our tickets came through JAC, the thumbprints that led to this victory truly came from the entire University community. To receive 338 votes out of 482 is a resounding testament to the trust placed in us. We are deeply humbled,” he said. Comrade Abubakar also thanked the university community, pledging to serve with humility, transparency, and inclusiveness. He assured that both representatives would work collaboratively with academic, technical, and administrative stakeholders to advance the institution’s development agenda. Hussaini added that the victory was not just personal but institutional — a win for fairness, unity, and progress. “We shall ensure that the voice of every staff member is heard at the Council table,” he stated. Observers described the election as one of the most peaceful and participatory in the university’s history, reflecting ADUSTECH’s growing democratic culture and institutional cohesion.