A former Kano State Commissioner for Education, Muhammad Sanusi S. Kiru, has accused the state government of selling plots of land belonging to the demolished Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS), Maikwatashi, for as much as N100 million per plot, describing the action as “misguided and poorly thought out.”
Kiru, in an open letter addressed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, faulted the relocation of the school to Kaura Goje, saying the process was “woefully inadequate” and had brought “hardship and unnecessary disruptions” to students, teachers, and the host community.
“As a former Commissioner of Education, I have handled similar relocation projects, and I must say that the approach adopted in the case of Maikwatashi was poorly executed,” Kiru wrote.
He said the decision to demolish the old school before the completion of the new one was insensitive, noting that the students and staff were left stranded and distressed.
“A more prudent approach would have been to ensure that the new site was fully ready before transferring the students,” he said.
Citing his experience as Commissioner, Kiru recalled how he oversaw the relocation of Jido Primary School without disrupting academic activities. “We ensured that the new school was constructed, equipped, and furnished before relocating the pupils. That minimized disruption and anxiety,” he stated.
The ex-commissioner also condemned the justification given for the relocation, which he said unfairly portrayed residents of Sabon Gari as criminals.
“The blanket condemnation of the community as a haven for miscreants is uncalled for,” he said. “These are people who have made immense contributions to Kano and gave your administration overwhelming support during the 2023 elections.”
Kiru expressed dismay over reports that the demolished school land had been sold at “a staggering N100 million per plot,” questioning the rationale behind the decision.
“Instead of selling the land, the government could have converted it into public use such as sports or community development projects,” he suggested.
He also criticized comments made by the governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Sunusi Surajo Kwankwaso, in a viral video, describing them as “reckless and unhelpful.” Kiru urged Governor Yusuf to caution aides who “lack understanding of education matters” from making public remarks that could worsen tensions.
While commending the current Commissioner for Education for distancing the ministry from the controversy, Kiru appealed to the governor to intervene and correct what he termed “a grave error.”
“He now has the opportunity to right the wrongs committed by the mishandlers of this project,” Kiru said.
The former commissioner advised the government to learn from the experience and adopt a “more inclusive and sustainable approach” to handling educational projects.
“It is imperative that those responsible for the Maikwatashi relocation take responsibility and admit their mistakes,” he added. “If the government had waited for the completion of the new site before demolishing the old school, all these disruptions and public outrage would have been avoided.”