A Jigawa State community has taken decisive action against an Islamic cleric who preached against Western education, according to a state lawmaker.
The cleric, whose name was not disclosed, was expelled from the area after consultations with traditional leaders.
Ado Yakubu, representing Gwaram constituency in the Jigawa State House of Assembly, revealed this development during a recent education event in Dutse.
The gathering, organized by the Jigawa State Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and UNICEF, aimed to boost school enrollment.
“We engaged the cleric in discussions with traditional leaders,” Yakubu said.
He added, “His perspective on Western education was found to be discouraging and misleading. Since he wasn’t an indigene of the town or a partner in progress, we decided to expel him.”
The lawmaker highlighted broader challenges facing education in the region.
“We’ve identified 43 villages with high numbers of out-of-school children in Gwaram LGA alone,” he stated. “Issues range from inter-community rivalries to protests over school locations and even personal grudges against village heads.”
Yakubu emphasized the need for grassroots solutions.
“We’re addressing water scarcity by providing boreholes and engaging long-neglected nomadic communities to enroll their children,” he said.
SUBEB chairperson Professor Haruna Musa outlined additional state initiatives.
He said, “We’re involving mothers’ associations to monitor learning outcomes, Governor Umar Namadi has shown commitment by hiring over 3,000 permanent teachers, with plans to engage 5,000 more by 2025.”
UNICEF education specialist Muntaka Mohammed praised the government’s efforts.
“Jigawa ranks eighth nationally for out-of-school children,” he noted.
“However, the state is investing significant resources to ensure children’s right to education,” he added.
