The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, has expressed satisfaction with the pace of work at the Bilingual School in Ungogo, Kano State, saying the project is about 90 per cent complete and on course for delivery by 31 August 2026.
A statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, said the inspection formed part of a tour of education projects under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in Kano State.
During the visit, Alausa directed that preparations for teacher recruitment and other operational requirements begin immediately to ensure the school admits its first set of pupils when it opens in September.
He also disclosed that academic activities would begin at a third bilingual school at the start of the 2026 academic session, while a fourth school is expected to become operational by June 2027.
Describing the bilingual school initiative as a key intervention in tackling Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, the minister said the schools are designed to integrate Almajiri and other vulnerable children into formal education while equipping them with relevant knowledge and skills.
According to him, the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative has returned more than one million out-of-school children to classrooms over the past 24 months. He added that the government’s focus is not only on enrolment but also on ensuring children remain in school through improved teaching, better learning environments and sustained support.
At the Japan International Cooperation Agency (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 (WASH) facilities. He said the junior secondary school would relocate to the new structures on completion, while the existing buildings would be converted into a primary school with additional Federal Government support.
At Federal Government College, Kano, Alausa commissioned a renovated digital e-library equipped with solar power, air conditioning and about 80 computer workstations. He said the facility reflects the government’s commitment to preparing students for a digital future.
The minister noted that the current administration inherited 36 abandoned e-library projects across Unity Colleges, adding that 16 have now been rehabilitated through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) land swap initiative, saying it would generate resources for improved classrooms, hostels and other critical infrastructure.
The inspection also took him to the National Mass Education Commission (NMEC) office in Kano and Tarda Smart School, where he assessed programmes aimed at expanding access to education and promoting digital innovation.
A major highlight of the visit was an Artificial Intelligence-powered school application developed by a student to improve teaching, communication between schools and parents, attendance monitoring and access to learning materials. Alausa directed UBEC officials to engage with the student and explore ways of supporting the innovation.
Earlier, Kano State Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna, commended the Federal Government’s sustained interventions in the state’s education sector, describing its partnership with the state government as vital to improving access, infrastructure and learning outcomes.
He added that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s declaration of a state of emergency in education demonstrates the state’s commitment to transforming the sector.
