Kano Government Bans Land Transactions on Schools, Hospitals, Reclaims Public Properties Statewide
The Kano State Government has announced a statewide ban on all land transactions involving schools, hospitals and other government-owned properties, reaffirming its commitment to protecting public assets and restoring order in land administration.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Hon. Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, during an inspection of Government Girls College Kano (formerly Women Teachers College), following reports of large-scale encroachment on the institution’s land.
According to the Commissioner, the inspection was carried out on the directive of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after reports indicated that individuals had illegally entered the school premises and commenced the demarcation of plots for private residential development.
He disclosed that the Governor immediately ordered the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to suspend all activities on the site and investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged allocation of the plots.
Hon. Abduljabbar revealed that preliminary investigations showed that nearly 100 plots had already been carved out within the school’s premises for the construction of private residential buildings.
Describing the development as a grave threat to the state’s education sector, the Commissioner stressed that the government would not tolerate any attempt to illegally convert public property designated for educational and other public purposes into private developments.
He warned that any individual or developer who defies the government’s directive would face appropriate legal sanctions, adding that the ministry would strictly enforce all relevant laws to deter future violations.
The Commissioner further announced that, with effect from August 3, 2026, all lands belonging to schools, hospitals and other government institutions across Kano State have officially reverted to the control and management of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning on behalf of the Kano State Government.
He explained that the government has consequently placed a total ban on the subdivision, allocation, sale, transfer or conversion of lands belonging to schools, hospitals and other state-owned institutions anywhere in Kano State.
Hon. Abduljabbar also appealed to residents across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas to support the government’s efforts by reporting cases of illegal encroachment, land grabbing or unauthorized developments through appropriate government authorities and media channels.
Speaking during the inspection, the Principal of Government Girls Secondary School, Goron Dutse, Uwani Ahmad Balarabe, commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Commissioner for their swift intervention in addressing the encroachment.
She described the situation as unfortunate and unprecedented, recalling that throughout her more than three decades of service at the institution, the school had enjoyed a peaceful and conducive learning environment.
The Principal lamented that illegal encroachment had gradually consumed a significant portion of the school’s land, threatening its future expansion and development.
She expressed confidence that the state government would take the necessary measures to recover the institution’s land and safeguard its educational legacy for future generations.
