By: Umar Umar

The Gombe State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed Prof (Hon) Aishatu Umaru Maigari as a substantive commissioner following her nomination by the executive governor of Gombe State Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya as part of efforts to restructure the state’s Executive Council.

Her confirmation followed the governor’s submission of her name alongside those of other nominees to the House of Assembly for screening in accordance with constitutional provisions.

The confirmation marks another chapter in Maigari’s public service career under the administration of Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, having previously served in key positions in the state cabinet.

Maigari was first appointed Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation in 2019, a position she held until 2022.

Following a cabinet reshuffle by Governor Inuwa Yahaya in 2022, she was redeployed to the Ministry of Education, where she served as Commissioner for Education until 2023.

After the governor secured a second term in office, she was reappointed and continued to head the Ministry of Education from 2023 until 2026, when the governor dissolved the State Executive Council as part of plans to reconstitute the cabinet.

Her latest screening and confirmation by the House of Assembly clears the way for her return to the cabinet following her reappointment by Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

Over the years, Prof. Maigari has earned recognition for her contributions to public service, particularly in the Education and Science sectors.

During her tenure, she participated in the implementation of government policies aimed at improving education delivery, promoting innovation and strengthening institutional development in Gombe State.

Beyond her official responsibilities, Maigari is widely regarded by supporters and political associates as a grassroots politician who has maintained close contact with her constituents through various empowerment initiatives and community engagement programmes.

Supporters say she has consistently demonstrated commitment to improving the welfare of ordinary citizens through interventions targeted at women, youths and vulnerable groups across communities.

She has also been described by colleagues, associates and supporters as a leader who maintains cordial working relationships with employees at all levels. Those who have worked with her say she is approachable, encourages teamwork and promotes cooperation among both junior and senior staff in the various ministries where she has served.

Political observers believe her reappointment reflects Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s confidence in her experience and administrative capacity as the administration seeks to strengthen governance and accelerate the implementation of its development agenda.

The reconstitution of the State Executive Council is expected to inject fresh momentum into the government’s programmes and policies, with the newly confirmed commissioners expected to contribute their experience toward improving service delivery and socio-economic development across Gombe State.

The management of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN) has clarified that Dr. Nasa’i Gwadabe, a lecturer from North West University, Kano, is no longer affiliated with the institution, following the expiration of his one-year appointment as a Visiting Lecturer in May 2026. The university said the clarification became necessary in response to reports circulating on social media linking him to the institution.

In a statement issued by the university management, MAAUN explained that Dr. Gwadabe’s appointment ended in May 2026 and was not renewed. According to the statement, he is therefore no longer a member of the university’s academic staff and should not be described as such in media reports or public discussions.

The university stated that Visiting Lecturers are employed on one-year contracts, with renewal dependent on satisfactory performance, institutional requirements, and management approval. It added that Dr. Gwadabe’s contract was not renewed at the end of its tenure, noting that the same decision applied to a number of other Visiting Lecturers whose appointments also expired.

Reaffirming its stance on misconduct, the management said MAAUN maintains a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment, abuse, and exploitation. According to the statement, the policy is regularly communicated to members of the university community as part of efforts to promote a safe learning environment.

The university further disclosed that its Founder has introduced a ₦5 million reward for any female student who reports and provides credible evidence of sexual harassment or sexual assault involving any lecturer or staff member through the university’s established reporting channels. The management said the initiative demonstrates the institution’s commitment to addressing allegations of misconduct and protecting students.

MAAUN also rejected what it described as inaccurate claims circulating in connection with the matter. According to the management, reports alleging that a student was delayed for two years are false, noting that the university only recently graduated its first set of students.

The institution also dismissed claims that a postgraduate student was among the alleged victims. The management explained that MAAUN has not yet commenced postgraduate programmes, making such assertions factually incorrect.

The university urged members of the public and media organisations to verify information before publication and to refrain from referring to Dr. Nasa’i Gwadabe as a current member of staff, stressing that his association with the institution ended when his appointment expired in May 2026.

The management reiterated that MAAUN remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, accountability, and academic excellence while continuing to enforce policies aimed at ensuring the welfare and safety of students and staff.

A coalition of civil society organisations has expressed deep concern over the revocation of the operating licences of 46 Microfinance Banks (MFBs) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), warning that the decision could worsen financial exclusion, weaken grassroots economic activities and inflict hardship on millions of Nigerians, particularly in Kano State.

The concern was contained in a joint statement signed by Comrade Bashir Shehu, Executive Director of the African Centre for Civil Rights, Social Justice and Good Governance (Convener), and Hajiya Lami Adamu Garba, Executive Director of the Centre for Women Development Initiative, Katsina (Co-Convener), on behalf of a coalition of eight civil society organisations.

The coalition noted that Kano State was among the worst affected by the licence revocation, with 13 of the affected microfinance banks located in the state out of the 46 licences withdrawn nationwide.

According to the statement, Kano previously had about 40 licensed microfinance banks, meaning that nearly one-third of the state’s microfinance institutions have now lost their operating licences.

The organisations observed that the affected banks play a critical role in providing financial services to low-income earners, petty traders, small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), women, farmers and rural communities that are often excluded from conventional banking services.

They warned that the closures could lead to increased financial exclusion, disruption of small businesses, loss of public confidence in the microfinance sector, reduced access to credit and savings facilities, and broader socio-economic challenges in communities that rely heavily on microfinance institutions.

While acknowledging the CBN’s statutory responsibility to regulate the financial sector and ensure compliance with banking standards, the coalition stressed that regulatory actions should be implemented in a manner that also protects depositors, preserves public confidence and promotes financial inclusion.

The groups urged the CBN to review the decision where possible and work with relevant stakeholders to minimise the impact on affected communities. They also called on the Kano State Government, members of the National Assembly and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to ensure that depositors’ funds are protected and that viable microfinance institutions receive the necessary support to strengthen their operations.

The coalition further advocated improved financial literacy programmes, enhanced regulatory guidance and capacity-building initiatives for microfinance banks, arguing that preventive reforms and institutional support would yield better long-term outcomes than actions capable of widening the country’s financial inclusion gap.

The organisations maintained that protecting access to community-based financial services remains essential to economic growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development, urging all relevant authorities to take immediate steps to safeguard the interests of affected Nigerians.