Kano State Bolsters School Safety with Recruitment of 17,600 Security Guards

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved the recruitment and deployment of 17,600 security personnel to public schools across the state’s 44 local government areas, with 400 guards assigned to each area. The initiative, announced on Monday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, aims to address growing concerns over insecurity in school environments, which the government views as a significant threat to educational development.

Governor Yusuf emphasized the state’s commitment to safeguarding students and teachers, stating, “We have taken this step because we bear the responsibility of protecting the lives of our children and their teachers. We will not allow fear or insecurity to deny them the right to education.” The decision aligns with the administration’s broader education reform agenda, which includes distributing N2.8 billion worth of instructional materials, solarizing 200 schools, and recruiting 4,000 BESDA staff.

The newly recruited security guards will undergo training before deployment to ensure they are equipped to handle their responsibilities. Their duties will include monitoring school entry and exit points, watching for suspicious activities, and collaborating with conventional security agencies when necessary. This proactive measure follows the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, which highlights the devastating impact of violent attacks on education, including the loss of over 600 teachers and the displacement of 19,000 between 2012 and 2016.

The initiative has been widely praised on social media platforms, with posts on X commending Governor Yusuf’s focus on school safety. Stakeholders, including parents and educators, view the deployment as a critical step toward creating a secure learning environment, boosting school attendance, and supporting Kano’s educational revival.

As part of his transformative vision, Governor Yusuf continues to prioritize education, earning accolades such as the 2024 Governor of the Year award from Leadership Newspaper for his efforts to reduce out-of-school children and allocate 30% of the state’s budget to education. The recruitment of these security guards marks another milestone in ensuring that Kano’s children can learn without fear.