Education Minister Unveils Upgraded e-Library in FGC Kano, Insists Land Swap Project Will Proceed

The Federal Government has commissioned an upgraded digital e-library at the Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, while reaffirming its commitment to expanding digital learning infrastructure and implementing education reforms aimed at improving access to quality education across the country.

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, also declared that there would be no reversal of the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) land swap project at the college, saying the initiative would generate resources to provide better learning facilities for students.

Alausa spoke during an inspection tour of key Federal Government education projects and institutions in Kano State on Monday. Accompanied by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and the Kano State Government, the minister visited 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) office and Tarda Smart School.

At the Federal Government College, Alausa commissioned the renovated digital e-library, describing it as another milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to prepare Nigerian students for a technology-driven future.

The facility is powered by solar energy and equipped with air-conditioning, modern lighting and about 80 digital computer workstations to support digital literacy and learning.

The minister disclosed that the present administration inherited 36 abandoned e-library projects across Unity Colleges, adding that 16 of them had now been rehabilitated through the intervention of UBEC.

He said the development underscored the government’s determination to modernise public schools and equip learners with skills required in the digital age.

While addressing concerns over the proposed land swap initiative at FGC Kano, Alausa maintained that the policy would go ahead, stressing that it was designed to unlock the value of underutilised land for the benefit of students.

> “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,” he said.

He added that the Federal Government remained open to engaging the college’s old students’ association and other stakeholders interested in supporting the institution through similar partnerships.

Earlier during the inspection, the minister expressed satisfaction with the pace of work at the Bilingual School in Ungogo, saying the project had reached about 90 per cent completion and remained on course for delivery by the end of August.

He directed that recruitment of teachers and other operational preparations begin immediately to enable the school admit its first set of pupils in September.

Alausa also disclosed that academic activities would commence in a third bilingual school at the beginning of the 2026 academic session, while a fourth school is expected to open by June 2027.

He described the bilingual school initiative as one of the Federal Government’s key interventions to reduce the number of out-of-school children by integrating Almajiri and other vulnerable children into formal education.

According to him, more than one million out-of-school children have returned to classrooms in the last 24 months under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative.

Beyond enrolment, he said the government was focused on ensuring that children remained in school through improved teaching quality, better learning environments and enhanced educational 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 (WASH) facilities.

He announced that the junior secondary school would relocate to the new site after completion, while the existing structures would be converted into a primary school, with the Federal Government providing furniture and undertaking additional renovation works.

During his interaction with students of FGC Kano, Alausa commended their confidence and communication skills, describing them as evidence of the Federal Government’s investment in human capital development.

The inspection also featured a presentation by a student who developed an Artificial Intelligence-powered school application designed to improve teaching, monitor attendance and assignments, strengthen communication between schools and parents and provide remote access to learning materials.

Impressed by the innovation, the minister directed UBEC’s Director of Digital Platforms and Analytics to engage the student and explore ways of supporting further development of the application.

Speaking earlier, the Kano State Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna, commended the Federal Government for its sustained interventions in the state’s education sector.

He said the partnership between the Federal and Kano State governments had contributed to improvements in educational infrastructure, access and learning outcomes.

Haruna noted that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s declaration of a state of emergency in education and increased budgetary allocations complemented the Federal Government’s education reforms and aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Alausa reaffirmed that the Ministry of Education would continue implementing reforms aimed at expanding access to quality education, strengthening digital learning, modernising infrastructure and building a future-ready education system for Nigerian children.