…..Says No Going Back On FGC Kano land swap project
…..Inspects Bilingual School Aimed At Reducing Out of School Children
Minister reaffirms commitment to FGC Kano Land Swap initiative, says innovative partnerships will drive better infrastructure and improved learning outcomes.
Inspection of key education projects highlights Federal Government's drive to strengthen digital learning, expand access and deepen collaboration with Kano State.
The Federal Government has advanced the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda for Education in Kano State with the commissioning of an upgraded digital e-library at Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, accelerated the expansion of bilingual schools to tackle the challenge of out-of-school children, and reaffirmed its commitment to innovative partnerships that will strengthen learning infrastructure and improve educational outcomes across the country.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, made the announcements during a strategic inspection of major Federal Government education projects and institutions across Kano State. Accompanied by the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa'id Ahmad, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Kano State Commissioner for Education, the Minister inspected the Bilingual School in Ungogo, the JICA-supported Junior Secondary School in Lenge, Tofa Local Government Area, Federal Government College, Kano, the National Commission for Mass Education (NMEC) Kano Office and Tarda Smart School.
The inspection commenced at the Bilingual School in Ungogo, where the Minister expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, noting that the project has reached about 90 percent completion and is on course for delivery on or before 31 August 2026. He directed that preparations for teacher recruitment and other operational requirements begin immediately to ensure that the school receives its first set of learners when it opens in September.
Dr. Alausa disclosed that preparations are equally underway to commence academic activities in a third bilingual school at the beginning of the 2026 academic session, while a fourth is expected to become operational by June 2027. He described the bilingual school initiative as one of the Federal Government's most impactful responses to the out-of-school children challenge, explaining that the schools are designed to integrate Almajiri and other vulnerable children into formal education while equipping them with the knowledge, skills and values required to thrive.
According to the Minister, the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative has continued to deliver encouraging results, with more than one million out-of-school children returned to classrooms within the last 24 months. Beyond bringing children back to school, he said, the administration is focused on ensuring they remain in school through improved teaching, better learning environments and sustained support that will translate into stronger learning outcomes.
At the JICA-supported Junior Secondary School in Lenge, Tofa Local Government Area, the Minister inspected ongoing construction of classrooms, perimeter fencing and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilities. He announced that upon completion, the junior secondary school would relocate to the new structures, while the existing buildings would be converted into a primary school. The Federal Government will also support the furnishing of the primary school and undertake additional renovation works to create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.
At Federal Government College, Kano, Dr. Alausa commissioned the newly renovated digital e-library, describing it as another significant milestone in the Federal Government's drive to prepare Nigerian students for a digital future. The modern facility, equipped with solar power, air conditioning, quality lighting and nearly 80 digital computer workstations, provides students with a world-class environment to develop essential digital literacy skills.
He disclosed that the present administration inherited 36 abandoned and poorly executed e-library projects across Unity Colleges. Through the intervention of UBEC, 16 of the facilities have now been fully rehabilitated, reflecting the Federal Government's determination to modernise public schools and provide Nigerian children with education that meets global standards.
The Minister also interacted with students of Federal Government College, Kano, expressing satisfaction with their confidence, communication skills and academic outlook. He described the students as a strong reflection of the human capital development vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and commended the school management and teachers for nurturing learners who are prepared to compete in an increasingly knowledge-driven world.
Addressing the proposed Public Private Partnership Land Swap initiative at the college, Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to the policy, explaining that responsibly leveraging underutilised land will generate resources needed to provide better classrooms, hostels and other critical infrastructure for students. He stressed that every decision of the Ministry is guided by one overriding consideration: what best serves the interests of Nigerian children.
"Our responsibility is to ensure that every policy translates into better opportunities for our students. We have no interest other than providing quality education and improved infrastructure for Nigerian children," the Minister said.
He added that the Federal Government remains open to engaging the college's old students and other stakeholders who are willing to support the development of the institution through similar partnerships.
The inspection also took the Minister to the National Commission for Mass Education, Kano Office, and Tarda Smart School, where he assessed programmes aimed at strengthening foundational learning, expanding access to education, promoting digital innovation and supporting lifelong learning.
Earlier, Kano State Education Commissional for Education, Ali Haruna, commended the Federal Government for its sustained interventions in the state's education sector and described the partnership between the Federal and Kano State Governments as instrumental to ongoing improvements in access, infrastructure and learning outcomes. He noted that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's declaration of a state of emergency in education and sustained budgetary allocations demonstrate the state's commitment to transforming the sector.
Haruna added that Kano State's education reforms align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, expressing confidence that the collaboration between both governments will continue to deliver better opportunities and improved educational outcomes for children across the state.
One of the highlights of the inspection was an interaction with a student innovator who presented an Artificial Intelligence-powered school application designed to enhance teaching and learning, improve communication between schools and parents, monitor attendance and assignments, and provide students with access to learning materials from home. Commending the creativity and practical value of the innovation, Dr. Alausa directed the UBEC Director of Digital Platforms and Analytics to engage with the student and explore avenues for supporting the development of the application.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Education will continue to implement practical reforms that translate into better schools, better teachers and better opportunities for every Nigerian child. He assured Nigerians that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministry will remain focused on expanding access to quality education, strengthening digital learning, modernising infrastructure and building a future-ready education system that empowers every learner to realise his or her full potential and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria's development.
Adedeji Tolulope
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