The Federal Government, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), have commissioned a Bilingual Education Boarding School in Kiru Local Government Area of Kano State, as part of efforts to expand access to inclusive and quality basic education across Nigeria.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the project as a major investment in human capital development, social inclusion and regional stability. She said the school reflects the strong collaboration between the Federal Government, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the IsDB in addressing the educational needs of vulnerable and out-of-school children.

According to her, the bilingual education model integrates English and Arabic literacy with modern pedagogy, technical and vocational education, ICT-driven learning and safe boarding facilities. “Bilingual education strengthens communication, preserves cultural identity and enhances global competitiveness, while ensuring that religious knowledge is not pursued at the expense of modern education,” she said.

Professor Ahmad added that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s education transformation agenda, which prioritises access, equity, skills development and strategic planning, while also supporting efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children nationwide.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, said the commissioning of the school marked the opening of new opportunities for learning and national development. He said the state government had declared a state of emergency in the education sector and embarked on wide-ranging reforms to improve access, infrastructure and learning outcomes.

The governor noted that his administration had recruited more teachers, supplied thousands of textbooks, and invested heavily in infrastructure, including the construction of over 1,700 new classrooms and rehabilitation of existing ones across the state. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making education a top priority and ensuring that children from poor and vulnerable backgrounds have access to quality education.

In her address, the Executive Secretary of UBEC said the Kiru school is one of 30 bilingual model schools being constructed across nine states, including Kano, Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna and Niger. She disclosed that Kano hosts four of the schools, with others located in Doguwa, Ganduje and Ungoggo.

She explained that each model school has the capacity to accommodate over 1,000 students and is equipped with academic and administrative blocks, hostels, staff quarters, vocational centres, a mosque, water facilities and perimeter fencing.

The UBEC boss commended the Kano State Government for its support, particularly in land provision, security and coordination, and also praised the IsDB for its sustained commitment to education development in Nigeria.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The education ministry under the leadership of Dr. Tunji Alausa has announced plans to abolish the long-standing Higher National Diploma (HND) dichotomy by empowering polytechnics to award degrees.

The minister disclosed this in Abuja yesterday while addressing a high-level retreat of council chairmen, commissioners of education, rectors, registrars and bursars.

The minister said the move is a landmark policy shift that would end decades of discrimination against polytechnic graduates and elevate polytechnics into centres of excellence within Nigeria’s higher education system.

According to him, the reform would place polytechnic education on a stronger footing while preserving its core strength in hands-on, industry-focused training.

He noted that Nigeria’s future competitiveness depends on a workforce equipped to create, build and solve real-world problems.

The minister explained that the policy aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, industrial growth and human capital development.

Alausa assured stakeholders that the transition would be guided by clear standards, strong regulation and quality assurance mechanisms to ensure global competitiveness.

Speaking on the theme “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development”, the minister said polytechnics are critical to building a skills-driven economy.

He charged participants to return to their institutions as agents of change, the minister said, “The future of our youth, our economy and our nation depends on the transformation we ignite here today.”

He stressed that the ministry has prioritised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to ensure graduates are industry-ready, innovative and capable of driving economic growth.

He urged polytechnic leaders to entrench innovation through entrepreneurship centres, research hubs and robust industry partnerships, identifying renewable energy, agri-technology, digital manufacturing and climate-resilient solutions as priority areas.

On governance, Dr. Alausa warned that transparency, accountability and ethical leadership must define the new era in polytechnic administration. He called for fiscal discipline, timely audits, prudent resource management and zero tolerance for corruption.

The minister also emphasised sustainability, encouraging institutions to increase internally generated revenue through production and services, develop eco-friendly campuses and build resilient infrastructure.

He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to supporting polytechnics through policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades and partnerships.

He further announced a special TETFund intervention this year to upgrade polytechnic engineering schools with state-of-the-art equipment, following a similar intervention for 12 medical colleges last year.

The APC in Kano State has appointed Baffa Babba Dan Agundi and Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi as the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the E-Registration Membership Committee.

Inaugurating the 14-member committee headed by Engineer Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi, the Kano State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, said other members of the committee include Abdul Adamu Fagge and Musa Ali Kachako.

The others are Shafi’u Abdullahi Darma, Ahmad Aruwa, Sanusi Sa’idu Kiru Majidadi, Khalid Ishaq Diso, Auwalu Ubale Minjibir, Fa’iz Alfindiki, Binta Rabi’u Spikin, Umar Muhd ​​Rabiu, Muhd ​​Tudun Wada Tweeter and Aminu Umar Dawakin Kudu as the Secretary.

Alhaji Abbas explained how the committee would function and urged the members of the committee to work hard to ensure the success of the project. He said the project would cover all the wards in the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.