When Teachers Rise, Society Leads: Celebrating Kano’s New Permanent Secretaries
By Abdulkarim Ibrahim Abubakar
The recent appointment of seven Permanent Secretaries from the Kano State Senior Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSSMB) by the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, is far more than another round of civil service appointments. It is a bold affirmation that years of dedication in the classroom, discipline in school administration and commitment to public service remain worthy pathways to the highest levels of governance.
For the teaching profession, this development is historic. It has rekindled hope among thousands of teachers who have quietly devoted their lives to nurturing future generations, often with little expectation of occupying strategic policymaking positions.
By drawing from the wealth of experience within the education sector, Governor Yusuf has demonstrated confidence in a cadre of professionals whose leadership has been tested not merely in offices but in classrooms, staff rooms, school compounds and communities across Kano State.
The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries – Nura Abba Dandago, Hauwa Nuhu Wali, Uwani Ahmad Balarabe, Rabi Inuwa Hussain, Hannatu Ado Gwaram, Aliyu Tsoho, and Dr. Sani Gwarzo, collectively embodies decades of distinguished experience in educational administration, policy implementation, personnel management and institutional development. Their appointments are not only source of immense pride for the teaching community but also a powerful affirmation that merit, competence, integrity and years of dedicated public service remain worthy of recognition.
As one who had the privilege of serving alongside many of these distinguished officers as a teacher, principal, and Public Relations Officer of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), I celebrate this milestone with profound joy. Serving in the association afforded me the rare opportunity to observe, at close quarters, their commitment, humility, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to the advancement of education. Together, we worked tirelessly to promote the ideals of ANCOPSS, strengthen the welfare of members, and advance the professional development of school principals across Kano State.
More importantly, I wish to pay a special tribute to two remarkable women whose professional journeys I have closely witnessed over the years, Hajiya Uwani Ahmad Balarabe and Hajiya Hauwa Nuhu Wali.
Hajiya Uwani Ahmad Balarabe’s rise has been defined by consistency, humility and purposeful leadership. Beginning her teaching career in 1996, she steadily climbed the professional ladder through dedication and hard work, serving in various capacities as classroom teacher, Senior Mistress, Vice Principal, Principal and eventually Principal Director of Government Girls College Kano, formerly Women Teachers College.
Her career reflects nearly three decades of unwavering commitment to academic excellence, institutional discipline and the advancement of the girl-child through quality education.
Beyond her official responsibilities, she has become one of the most respected voices in educational leadership through ANCOPSS. As the current President of ANCOPSS, Kano State, she has championed continuous professional development for principals, strengthened institutional collaboration and represented Kano with distinction at national congresses, workshops and strategic education fora across Nigeria.
Under her leadership, Kano successfully hosted major Mandatory Continuing Professional Training (MCPT) programmes involving thousands of school administrators, further strengthening professional capacity within the education sector.
For those of us privileged to have worked with her in ANCOPSS, her leadership did not begin with the presidency. She first distinguished herself as the association’s Welfare Officer, where she demonstrated exceptional compassion, accessibility and unwavering commitment to the welfare and unity of members. I witnessed it firsthand, her calm disposition, selfless service and remarkable ability to build consensus among colleagues. She consistently placed the collective interest of the profession above personal considerations, earning the confidence and admiration of principals across the state.
Her emergence as President therefore came as no surprise. It was a natural progression built on years of faithful service, proven competence and exemplary character. Her appointment as Permanent Secretary is a fitting recognition of a distinguished career founded on integrity, professionalism and dedication to educational excellence.
Equally deserving of celebration is Hajiya Hauwa Nuhu Wali, whose remarkable career spans more than thirty-one years in Kano’s education sector. From her early years as a classroom teacher and Head of Department to becoming Principal, Deputy Director, Principal Director of Government Girls College (WTC) Kano and subsequently Government Girls College Dala, she has consistently demonstrated administrative excellence and unwavering commitment to educational advancement.
Within ANCOPSS, where I equally had the privilege of serving with her, Hajiya Hauwa served diligently as Ex-Officio. Though the office may not always attract public attention, she discharged its responsibilities with admirable dedication, maturity and loyalty.
She was never one to seek the limelight, yet her contributions to the growth and stability of the association were invaluable. Calm under pressure, meticulous in planning and deeply committed to collective progress, she became a dependable voice in decision-making and a trusted colleague whose counsel was always respected.
Her achievements extend beyond school administration. She introduced teacher development initiatives, strengthened school-community partnerships, improved student performance through targeted interventions, promoted transparency in financial management and mentored countless younger teachers and school leaders.
The numerous commendations and awards she has received from the Ministry of Education, SERVICOM, ANCOPSS, the British Council and other organisations stand as independent testimony to a career built on competence, integrity and excellence.
Their appointments also carry a broader message. For decades, teachers have been perceived primarily as classroom professionals. Yet those who have successfully managed large secondary schools understand the enormous complexity involved. Principals oversee budgets, supervise hundreds of employees, resolve conflicts, implement government policies, engage communities, coordinate infrastructure, manage scarce resources and inspire both staff and students under demanding circumstances. Such experiences naturally prepare them for higher administrative responsibilities.
The elevation of these educators therefore reinforces an important truth: teachers possess the flexibility, resilience, managerial competence and strategic thinking required to excel wherever they are entrusted with leadership responsibilities. It is now incumbent upon the seven newly appointed Permanent Secretaries to justify the enormous confidence reposed in them and further prove that the teaching profession remains one of the richest reservoirs of capable public administrators.
In celebrating this landmark achievement, I must also acknowledge my respected senior mentor and colleague in the pen profession, Alhaji Adamu Muhammad Nababa, a retired Director, prolific writer and master planner. His earlier article celebrating these appointments beautifully captured the significance of this moment for the education family. Reading his thoughtful reflections inspired me further. Yet, out of genuine enthusiasm and personal excitement over what many teachers once considered almost impossible, I felt compelled to lend my own voice to this historic celebration.
Indeed, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf deserves profound appreciation for recognising the enormous reservoir of competent manpower within the education sector. By selecting seasoned education administrators for strategic positions in government, he has demonstrated confidence in professionals whose careers have been defined by service, sacrifice and results. His decision has restored confidence among teachers that excellence, commitment and integrity still matter in public service.
To Nura Abba Dandago, Hauwa Nuhu Wali, Uwani Ahmad Balarabe, Rabi Inuwa Hussain, Hannatu Ado Gwaram, Aliyu Tsoho and Dr. Sani Gwarzo, I extend my warmest congratulations. Your appointments belong not only to you and your families but also to the entire teaching profession in Kano State. You now carry the hopes and aspirations of thousands of educators who believe that your performance will strengthen public confidence in the capacity of teachers to lead effectively at the highest levels of government.
May your tenure be distinguished by integrity, innovation, fairness and transformational leadership. May you justify the confidence reposed in you, inspire future generations of teachers, and leave behind enduring legacies of service to Kano State.
Above all, may history remember this moment as the day Kano State reaffirmed a timeless truth: when teachers rise to lead, the entire society stands to benefit.
Abubakar, is the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Kano State.
July 2, 2026
