By Muhammad Abubakar

The Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) held a Literacy Awareness Campaign on Monday at Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Kalgo Local Government, Kebbi State, to mark the 2025 International Literacy Day. Tagged “FUBK Literacy Awareness Campaign,” the programme was part of the University’s corporate social responsibility to the host community.

The event showcased a colourful joint rally by staff and students from FUBK and GDSS, holding banners with literacy messages in English and Hausa to promote reading, writing, and digital inclusion. They marched through Kalgo town from Kalgo Junction to the Local Government Secretariat and GDSS, where a lecture on “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era” was given.

In his address, Vice Chancellor FUBK, Prof. Muhammad Zaiyan Umar, represented by his Deputy, Prof. Aliyu Abdullahi Turaki, said, “The campaign is part of the University’s commitment to promoting literacy and empowering the host community, especially young people, to thrive in the digital era.”

“This School has a proximity advantage of being the closest school to the University. We are committed to identifying areas of intervention for the benefit of our host community,” he revealed 

“We have seasoned academics in the Faculty of Education and other departments. We have been holding seminars and workshops for the capacity building of staff. I advise the school administrators and teachers to tap into these opportunities by identifying areas of need where we could key in,” he added

In his remarks, Registrar of FUBK Abdulkadir Abubakar, noted that “the fundamental objectives of establishing a university are teaching, research and community service. The University, in its modest effort, came up with this initiative with a view to giving back to society,” he said 

Meanwhile, the guest speaker, Prof. Bello Bala Usman of the Department of Nigerian Languages at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, highlighted that literacy is not just about reading and writing in today’s world. He said, “Literacy is also about acquiring digital skills that open doors to opportunities. FUBK is proud to champion this cause.”

“Digital literacy is now a survival skill. We must encourage our students to see technology not as a distraction, but as a tool for learning, creativity and problem-solving,” he added.

In a goodwill message, the District Head of Kalgo, represented by Dangaladiman Sarkin Gobir Mal. Abubakar Arzika Kalgo commended and urged the University to sustain the momentum.

The University also donated 12 collections of 120 literary books to GDSS Kalgo, which were handed over to the Principal.

By Ukasha  Kofarnassarawa 

Basic education in public schools in Kano State is approaching its graveyard, where it will be laid to rest sooner than expected. This is why a larger portion of the population manages to enrol their children in private schools. Only those who are economically gasping for breath can barely afford to send their kids to the rotten public school system. 

It has reached a stage where teachers and principals of public schools also send their children to private schools. Just as medical doctors who own private hospitals, many academics who earn a salary from the Ministry of Education also own private schools. The recent whistleblowing, led by Dan Bello, to expose the dysfunction of our public schools, is not surprising to those who have invested heavily in the state of our public schools. 

However, Dan Bello is only addressing one aspect of the problem, which is infrastructural decay. There are many other problems, including incompetent teachers, a lack of proper supervision, and the anti-intellectual behaviour of teachers who attend school at their convenience. You will hear a school teacher who is supposed to be in school from 7:30 am to 2 pm every working day say that he only comes to school twice a week. 

Whatever Dan Bello’s intention is in exposing the situation, I believe it’s for the betterment of the state, especially since the governor has started responding to the problem. 

We acknowledge how the previous administration abandoned public schools, sold their land to develop houses and build corner shops, and shut down many. However, this is not the time for blame games; it’s time to revive the state of our education. And that’s one of the reasons why the state indigenes voted them out and gave this administration the chance to govern.

As I extracted this from the Facebook page of the Director-General of the Kano Bureau of Statistics, he wrote: “The attached chart presents estimated statistics on the total number of public primary and secondary schools in Kano, excluding new ones currently under construction. There are approximately 9,136 public primary and secondary schools across the state. 

Based on assessments, if 70 per cent of these schools are dilapidated and require renovation, that would mean about 6,395 schools need repair. At a rate of 100 schools renovated per month, it would take approximately 64 months, or 5 years and 4 months, to fully address the problem. So, it is unrealistic to expect that all dilapidated schools can be fixed within such a short timeframe of two years.”

This chilled my blood and set me thinking about the quickest and most realistic way to revive our education. I arrived at the following conclusions:

Since it will take us approximately 5 years to address the infrastructural decay alone, how many years would it take us to address the human capital problem? To improve the situation, I propose the following:

1. The government should establish six mega schools (3 secondary schools and three primary schools) that are fully equipped. This can be developed within a one-year calendar (the NWU senate building was built in less than a year, so it’s feasible). Each school should accommodate at least 1,000 students and make it the standard, as Day Science, Dawakin Tofa, and Dawakin Kudu used to be. These schools have produced some of the best medical doctors, engineers, and teachers, who have made us proud, even on the international stage.

2. Employ well-trained teachers and develop a system that can measure their performance. Why do public school teachers who earn at least ₦70,000 (considering the minimum wage) fail to teach their students effectively, while those in private schools who earn ₦30,000 or less perform far better? It’s a supervisory issue. In private schools, teachers are monitored and appraised. Let’s inculcate this culture in the newly established schools.

3. There’s no such thing as free education in those schools! Let parents/guardians pay. At least the school can earn an income for maintenance. 

If this idea is fully implemented, by 2031, when we expect to have addressed the infrastructural decay as stated above, the state would have produced at least 5,000 high-quality graduates who can compete with their private counterparts.

Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi

Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. May Allah have mercy on Professor Hafizu Miko Yakasai. He was such a wonderful man that he never held any grudges against anyone. 

I met Prof. Hafizu as far back as 2003/2004, and by 2007/2008, he had supervised my B.A. project on Hausa translation. While writing the project, Malam pushed me so hard that it later transformed my life for the better.

Malam was hardworking, friendly, calm and always gentle. You can even say that Malam was the nicest of them all. Malam was always smiling, and he spoke to us as if he were talking to his friends or even his bosses. Malam always looked down when he spoke to you. So kind and loving. We will genuinely miss his charming smile, especially when he wants to make a point or respond to an interesting topic.

To have known Malam was to have known a rare and gentle light in this world. The always smiling gentleman. Today, that light feels dimmed, the smiles have left us, and our hearts are heavy with a grief that words can scarcely hold. Yet, even in this time of mourning, we are compelled to celebrate the extraordinary person he was —a teacher, a mentor, and one of the kindest souls to have graced our lives at Bayero University, Kano.

Prof. Hafizu was a teacher in the truest sense of the word. His classrooms were not just a place of learning, but a sanctuary of encouragement and support. He didn’t just teach Semantics; he taught us how to think, how to wonder and how to believe in ourselves even when we doubted our own capabilities.

The professor saw potential in the quietest student and brilliance in the most struggling mind. His greatest lessons were not found only in the textbooks, but in his unwavering patience, smiles and profound belief that every one of us had something unique and valuable to offer the world.

When Malam became the President of Nigeria’s Institute of Translators and Interpreters, he called me and asked me to participate in a high-level process of evaluating new intakes. I felt as if Malam was elevating me to a position for which I wasn’t qualified, but Malam sat by my side while I put the records in order and smoothed out the process, and together, we made it a success.

Wallahi Malam was a very great gentleman to the core. A peace-loving fellow. A man of charisma and calibre. I never saw him become angry. Perhaps he has a unique way of swallowing all the anger and reveals only soothing smiles.

There was a time when Malam invited us to a project that he had obtained from his good friend, Barrister Dasin. It was a project of translation. We really enjoyed ourselves and have our pockets filled up.

One day, we sat at the Centre for Research in Nigerian Languages, Translation & Folklore. All of a sudden, Malam asked Muhammad, ‘How can we translate…’ He then mentioned a particular word. I was amazed that this was my teacher, who had taught me for years, now asking me for something. This is to show you how simple and easy-going Malam was.

Besides teaching us, Malam took us as his own children, always drawing us nearer. He never acted like a boss; he was a guide who walked beside us, and with us, not ahead of us. He offered counsel without judgment, wisdom without arrogance, and a listening ear that made even our most minor problems feel important. He shaped not only our intellect but our character, leading always by the quiet example of his own integrity, compassion, and grace.

And yet, what we will carry with us most indelibly, what is etched into our memory with the warmth of a permanent sun, is his utmost kindness and smile. That ever-present, genuine, and kind smile. It was a beacon of welcome in the morning, a signal of understanding during a difficult lesson, and a silent celebration of our successes. In a world that can often be too serious and too harsh, his smiles were a constant reminder that joy is a choice, and kindness is a language everyone understands. It was the purest reflection of his beautiful spirit.

Thank you for everything. Your syllabus for a life well-lived is complete, and you earned an A+ in humanity, wisdom, dedication and kindness. We will miss you more than words can say, but we will never forget your lessons and your magnificent smiles.

Malam was an HOD many years ago; he was a Dean, a Professor, and a pioneer Provost of the College of Arts, and he died in active service. He came and worked in the university even in the last days of his life. Above all, he was a very kind gentleman, a devout servant of Allah.

The best part of Malam’s life was that not many people knew he was an A-grade student and teacher of the Qur’an. Coincidentally, the last events he attended in his academic life were on the glorious Qur’an. The Centre organised the last for Qur’anic Studies under the leadership of Sheikh Prof. Ahmad Murtala. May the almighty Allah raise you among the Qur’anic reciters on the Day of Judgement, amen.

Prof. Hafizu has done his part and left. It is now time to reflect on his life and build on the good legacies he left. I extend my condolences to his family, friends, students, Bayero University, Kano, and the entire academic community.

May Allah forgive your shortcomings, Malam. May Allah make Jannatul Firdaus your final home. You have done wonderfully, Malam, with endless gratitude and love. Insha’Allah, you will continue to smile in Jannah, sir. Ameen!

By Uzair Adam 

Two siblings from Rimin Gado Local Government Area of Kano have achieved an exceptional milestone after graduating with first-class degrees in Computer Science from different universities in the same year.

Sulaiman and Maryam Salisu, younger brothers and sisters of a prominent BBC journalist, Aisha Salisu Babangida, both achieved identical Cumulative Grade Point Averages (CGPA) of 4.51 in 2025. 

While Sulaiman studied at Al-Istiqama University in Sumaila, Kano, Maryam attended the Federal University of Dutsin-Ma in Katsina State.

Speaking with The Daily Reality on Wednesday, Sulaiman said his achievement was not just personal but a fulfilment of his late father’s dream.

He stated, “When I saw my final result, I was surprised. I was thrilled because I had fulfilled my father’s dream. He always told me I could do it and reminded me how important it was.”

He explained that his first semester result placed him in the first-class category, which brought joy to his father. But when his performance later dropped, his father sat him down and encouraged him to refocus. “That conversation changed everything,” he recalled.

Sulaiman also spoke about the sacrifices his parents made during his studies, narrating how his mother once sold her goat to send him money for food after he ran out of supplies.

“I only discovered what happened when I returned home during the semester break. I felt like crying when I realised the sacrifice. It motivated me to work harder because I knew my parents were giving their all for me,” he said.

As a member of the pioneer graduating set at Al-Istiqama University, Sulaiman said having no seniors to look up to pushed him to put in his best and even guide his peers.

Similarly, his sister, Maryam, graduated with the same CGPA of 4.51 from the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma. She described her success as a dream she had nurtured for years.

She stated, “I cannot describe the joy I feel. Completing my studies with such a result is something I had prayed and worked for. This achievement is not mine alone; it belongs to my family and to Nigeria as a whole.”

Maryam recalled that she nearly lost focus after the death of their father while she was about to begin her final year, but the support she received from her family, teachers, and friends helped her persevere.

She said her ambition is to pursue advanced studies in Computer Science, with a focus on software development and Artificial Intelligence. 

She stated, “I want to use the knowledge I have gained to bring positive change to society, especially in Nigeria and Africa. 

“I also hope to inspire women and young people to believe that with determination and faith, they can achieve their dreams,” she added.

Both Sulaiman and Maryam expressed gratitude to their family, teachers, and friends, praying for Allah’s reward for their late father and their mother, whose sacrifices they said played a vital role in their success.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA) has issued a sweeping set of regulations targeting costly practices and unruly behaviour in schools across the state.

In a public notice signed by its Director-General, Professor Usman Abubakar Zaria, the authority announced immediate bans on compulsory graduation fees for most classes, indecent “sign-out” celebrations by students, and the use of non-reusable textbooks, all in an effort to reduce the financial burden on parents and uphold educational standards.

The key directives from the KSSQAA are as follows:

1. Graduation Ceremonies Restricted Schools are now prohibited from organizing and charging for graduation ceremonies for any class except Basic 9(JSS 3) and Senior Secondary 3 (SS 3). For these two allowed ceremonies, payment cannot be compulsory. If a school insists on a compulsory fee, it must seek approval from the KSSQAA at least four weeks in advance and provide evidence of consent from the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA).

2. Ban on Unruly Sign-Outs The notice condemns the”growing trend of indecent, unruly, and unsafe conduct” by students celebrating the end of exams. This practice is now banned. Schools are instead directed to provide supervised alternative events like farewell assemblies, talent shows, or mentorship sessions to allow for safe and dignified celebrations.

3. Phasing Out Consumable Textbooks To combat waste and reduce costs,the KSSQAA has ordered publishers to stop producing textbooks with answer spaces written directly in them. From September 1, 2026, main textbooks must be reusable, with any exercises placed in separate, optional workbooks. Schools have been instructed to only procure reusable textbooks from that date.

4. Strict Controls on Fee Hikes The authority also reinforced that no school can increase its fees or upgrade its facilities without prior written approval.To get approval, schools must submit a formal application accompanied by PTA meeting minutes showing a quorum was present and agreement was reached, alongside enrolment data and current financial records.

The KSSQAA stated that these measures align with the global Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

“The KSSQAA remains committed to ensuring that quality education is accessible and affordable in Kaduna State,” the notice read, directing all schools to comply fully with the new guidelines.

By Fatima Badawi

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, popularly known as ASUU, has organized a massive peaceful protest to express its strong disapproval of the government’s insincere promises and failure to fulfill agreements made to university lecturers.

Members of the union from Bayero University branch came out early this morning, marching around sections of the school while holding placards with inscriptions calling the government’s attention to do the needful.

While a TDRHausa correspondent was speaking with a senior official of the union, the official explained that there are numerous issues the government has failed to address for university lecturers, and the lecturers have been patient, but it seems their patience has run out.

Among the issues highlighted by the official include;

1) Lack of attention to the plight of lecturers.
2) Withholding the salaries of university lecturers because they went on strike, even though the law allows university lecturers to do so.
3) Failure to fulfill hundreds of promises the government made to improve the condition of universities and carry out reforms.
4) Withholding earmarked funds (Earned Academic Allowances) that university lecturers have been demanding from the government for years, and the government made several promises but broke them.
5) There is also the major problem of university lecturers’ salaries, where some of the lecturers have become pitiable, because even a professor’s salary is not enough to solve basic life problems, not to talk about medical expenses and school fees for their children, let alone their worry about academic pursuits.

Hundreds of union members came out for this massive peaceful protest, men and women, and it was done calmly but with concerns on how the government has neglected the welfare of lecturers across the country and broke all promises made.

This kind of protest is being held across all Nigerian universities to express strong displeasure against this injustice from the government.

TDR

TDRHausa

By Ibrahim Lawal Ahmed

On September 9th, 2023, friends, colleagues and students of Malam Mu’azu Muhammad Yusif, more popularly called M.M. Yusif, gathered to honour and celebrate his long academic service at the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Kano, by remembering the old days and reflecting on the transformation the academia has been going through in Nigeria. Malam M.M. Yusif recently retired from the Department of Political Science, Bayero University, Kano, and the occasion was a kind of send-off party.

It was indeed a robust discussion that involved personalities such as Mal. Ibrahim Mu’azzam, Dr. Y.Z. Ya’u, Dr. Nasir Fagge, Prof. Ibrahim Bello-Kano (IBK), among others. As expected, the debate spiralled from eulogising the celebrant to discussion on the character of students and teachers in the universities in Nigeria, the current system of running the university, the struggles of and in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the neoliberal world order and its effects in Nigeria, particularly on the universities. 

In short, the discussion is a dialectical cross-examination of factors within the university and how their interrelationship is influencing the university education in Nigeria; the relationship between the university and the society (town and gown relationship); and the relationship between the university and the state. The relationship between the university and the state is at the centre of the ASUU issue.

University has been the life of Malam, and as one of the longest-serving chairmen of ASUU, BUK Chapter, ASUU is a union very close to Malam. Therefore, I can imagine his feelings as he witnesses and reflects on the last two battles between ASUU and the government (2020 and 2022) that almost destroyed the public universities in Nigeria. The fundamental issue of ASUU-FGN conflict, in my view, is not the non-payment of allowances but the reductionist approach to governance by the government, which entails decreasing concern for the institutions that provide welfare to the people and total neglect of the idea of ‘public good.’ The result is the systematic collapse of the social contract (and compact) and rising political cleavages, a pre-bendel form of primitive accumulation and rentierism (or sycophancy) which results in the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. 

Consequently, as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer in Nigeria, commodity fetishism becomes the defining feature of the social relations in Nigeria. In other words, money is now the moral compass in Nigeria. The needs and wants of the average Nigerian are reduced to his stomach – you have to eat for you to think, for when you speak to a hungry man, he answers you with his stomach – as such, ASUU is faced with an enormous challenge of mobilising the society to back its course on its battles with the state. 

Moreover, people are tired of the classical tactics of strikes always taken by ASUU, which, in the last two years, have hurt the university education system more than they have salvaged it. Thus, one key takeaway from the gathering is that ASUU needs to reinvent itself. While remaining steadfast to its goals that are of public interest, it has to change tactics.

Similarly, government at all levels has to pay more attention to the educational sector. To improve education, efforts should focus more on qualitative development rather than the current quantitative development, which prioritises establishing tertiary institutions in remote areas primarily due to trivial political reasons. This is not right. Situating schools and tertiary institutions has to take comprehensive cognisance of the environment. The questions such as how the town will support the gown at its embryonic stage and how the gown will support the city at maturity have to be asked. Answering these kinds of questions requires a comprehensive analysis of the infrastructure (both hard and soft), human and physical factors in the environment where the school or tertiary institution is to be situated. The late Sir Ahmadu Bello set a notable example in establishing Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. He could have stayed in Sokoto or Maiduguri. However, considering several factors, Zaria is strategically better suited to host the university. Such was a good leader who has vision that transcends personal and primordial interest.

Indeed, the issue of education in Nigeria cannot be left to the government alone. It is a social issue; therefore, it requires an All-of-Society-Approach – from parents, to community leaders, traditional rulers, commercial and industrial enterprises, all have to be involved, especially regarding financing the education. The policy of student loans will not work because the socioeconomic condition of Nigeria is not prosperous enough to favour such a policy. In fact, in some advanced countries, the policy is problematic and an obstacle to social mobility, thereby facing harsh criticisms. The students need grants, not loans. And the wealthy Nigerians have to be philanthropic towards our educational institutions, especially the tertiary institutions. There is no more rewarding investment than investment in education,though it takes time to ripen. There is no better way to empower the youth in Nigeria than through education. The proper education enhances the ability of citizens to think. And unless one can think and understand the complexity of the present world, one can not address one’s personal problems, let alone those of society.

The courses taught by Malam M.M. Yusif aim to help students understand this complex world by interrogating the institutions that hold it up. To teach such courses requires a special personality. Therefore, as his recent student, the gathering was an opportunity for me to know more about my teacher. I listened attentively as his friends and colleagues kept mentioning his academic contribution to social issues that include gender studies, labour studies, and military studies, among many. But one standing quality and lasting legacy of Malam is mentorship. Malam put a lot of his energy into guiding his students. 

He utilised his resources to acquire high-quality materials and provide practical work for his students. He is a teacher who loves questioning and never penalises you for your inability to answer a question. For him, the most important thing is for the students to attempt to answer the question brilliantly. He always has time for his students. 

One day, I visited his office to discuss some concepts I didn’t understand. After explaining the concepts to him, I complained, “Sir, I am confused.” He responded, “Do not worry, Ibrahim. This means you are learning.” It was on that day that I learnt that learning is full of confusion. If you are finding learning easy, then you are probably not learning anything new.

It will take time to fill the gap that Malam M.M. Yusif is leaving in the academia, particularly in the Department of Political Science at Bayero University. I am glad and proud that he has had an accomplished academic career. We, his students, cherish the memory and are thankful for the way he has taught and mentored us. May it please Allah that Malam has a peaceful and happy retired life.

Muhammad Isah Zng

A former lecturer at Al-Qalam University, Malam Mubarak Ibrahim Lawan, stated that education is dead in Nigeria in a post he shared last week on his popular Facebook account.

“Our youth are no longer interested in education at all. They preferred to be celebrities rather than teachers or lecturers because it’s a quick way to be rich, not education.”

“The majority of Nigerian university students are after certificates; they are curious to graduate and leave their schools because the government gives more attention to celebrities than teachers and lecturers,” he said. 

“But there’s still hope for government, if it considers these: First, it should give full attention to the welfare of teachers and lecturers by paying them their allowances on time”, he added.

Malam Mubarak called on the government to make a concerted effort to renovate laboratories and libraries to alleviate the learning difficulties faced by students.

Finally, he advised that the government should also continue providing scholarships to lecturers and teachers to enhance their professional development.

Malam Mubarak resigned from his position at the university a few years ago. Since then, he has been involved in real estate businesses in Kano and beyond.

By Anwar Usman

The West African Examinations Council has announced the official release of the results for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination for school candidates.

This was revealed in a statement issued through X on Monday, August 4, 2025, the examination body confirmed that candidates who sat for the exam can now access their results online.

“The West African Examinations Council is pleased to inform candidates who sat WASSCE for School Candidates, 2025 that the result has officially been released today, Monday, August 4, 2025,” WAEC stated.

Candidates are advised to visit the Council’s result portal to check their performance.

“To access the result, log on to http://waecdirect.org,” the statement added.

Details later…

By Kasim Isa Muhammad‎‎

The Vice-Chancellor Federal University, Kashere, Prof. Umaru A. Pate has donated twenty laptop computers to the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, which was recently upgraded to the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.

‎‎The computers were donated last week during a one-day interactive session for mass communication students from the University of Maiduguri, Borno State University and Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri. ‎‎

The interactive session was organised by the Department of Mass Communication in collaboration with the Northeast Zone of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) and Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB),‎ ‎Prof. Pate handed over the Computers to the Department, through the Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, Prof. Mohammed Laminu Mele.

He promised to facilitate more supports to the newly established faculty so that it would globally compete by providing more quality journalism and communication knowledge and skills that are needed in the contemporary world. ‎

‎The event was graciously attended by the management of the University of Maiduguri that included the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele, Registrar and Bursar.

Professor Mele appreciated Professor Pate for his generosity, experiences and wisdom sharing as well as commitment to support communication professionals and students.

He said the University would provide all the necessary support for the growth of mass communication. ‎‎

The Head of Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Abdulmutallib A. Abubakar who is also the ACSPN’s Northeast Deputy President, appreciated Prof. Pate for empowering Department and students.

He promised to use the knowledge and computers for inculcating 21st skills and knowledge to students. ‎‎

The students also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to not only interact with one of the most respected professors in Nigeria but also to draw insight, wisdom and inspiration from his dispatch.