Kano Govt Reclaims School, Hospital Lands, Bans Transactions on Public Properties

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has reclaimed all lands belonging to schools, hospitals and other public institutions across the state, announcing an immediate ban on the subdivision, allocation and conversion of such properties for private use in a move aimed at curbing illegal encroachment and restoring order to land administration.

The Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, announced the decision during an inspection of Government Girls Secondary School, Goron Dutse, formerly known as Women Teachers College (WTC), following reports that a large portion of the institution’s land had been encroached upon.

The commissioner said the inspection was carried out on the directive of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after reports indicated that some individuals had illegally entered the school premises and begun demarcating plots for private residential development.

He said the governor immediately directed the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to halt all activities on the site and investigate how the alleged occupants acquired the plots.

According to him, preliminary findings revealed that nearly 100 plots had already been carved out within the school’s premises with the intention of developing private residential houses.

Describing the development as a serious threat to the education sector, Muhammad Umar said the government would not tolerate any attempt to appropriate public property designated for educational and other public purposes.

He warned that individuals or developers who disregard government directives would face legal sanctions, adding that the ministry would strictly enforce all relevant laws to deter further encroachment.

The commissioner announced that, with effect from August 3, 2026, all lands belonging to schools, hospitals and other government institutions across Kano State had reverted to the control and management of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning on behalf of the state government.

He said the government had consequently placed a total ban on the subdivision, allocation or conversion of lands belonging to schools, hospitals and other state-owned properties anywhere in Kano State.

Muhammad Umar called on residents across the state’s 44 local government areas to support the government’s efforts by reporting cases of illegal encroachment, land grabbing or unauthorized development through the appropriate government authorities and media channels.

Speaking during the inspection, the Principal of Government Girls Secondary School, Goron Dutse, Uwani Ahmad Balarabe, commended Governor Yusuf and the commissioner for their swift intervention.

She described the encroachment as painful and unprecedented, recalling that throughout her more than three decades of service at the college, the institution had always enjoyed a peaceful and conducive learning environment.

Balarabe lamented that illegal encroachment had gradually consumed a significant portion of the school’s land, threatening its future expansion and development.

She expressed confidence that the state government would take all necessary measures to recover the institution’s original land and preserve its educational heritage for future generations.

The latest action forms part of the Kano State Government’s broader efforts to protect public institutions, recover government assets and restore transparency and accountability in land administration across the state.