RELOCATION COMMENDED, BUT KURMAWA MUSEUM PLAN MISGUIDED: RETURN TO GIRLS’ EDUCATION VISION NEEDED

 RELOCATION COMMENDED, BUT KURMAWA MUSEUM PLAN MISGUIDED: RETURN TO GIRLS’ EDUCATION VISION NEEDED

BY Tijjani Sarki

Good Governance Advocate and  Public Policy ananlyst 

The recent announcement by the Kano State Government to convert the historic Kurmawa Maximum Security Prison into a museum has stirred a mixture of emotion and concern in the hearts of many. As a proud indigene of Kano and a concerned citizen, I feel compelled to speak out not in opposition to preserving our history, but in questioning the wisdom of this particular move.

Kurmawa Prison, built in 1910 by the British colonial government within the revered grounds of the Kano Emir’s Palace, is undeniably a significant colonial relic. For over a century, it has stood not just as a correctional facility but as a symbol of the imposition of foreign rule on our people,a painful but important reminder of our past. However, transforming this space into a museum at this moment raises serious concerns about our priorities as a state.

We all welcomed the relocation of the prison to the newly constructed correctional facility at Janguza, a project initiated by former Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso during his second tenure (2011–2015). Though delayed due to administrative bureaucracy and federal approval processes, the project was eventually completed under President Muhammadu Buhari. That move was long overdue. It brought a sense of relief and progress, offering a safer, more modern space for correctional services, and providing an opportunity to reimagine the future of the old Kurmawa site.

It was heartening to hear that the initial plan by Kwankwaso’s administration was that the Kurmawa grounds would be repurposed for a Mega Girls Secondary School a vision that promised to uplift generations of young women through education. That vision resonated deeply with many of us who believe in empowering our daughters and granddaughters. But years passed, and that noble plan remained stalled, reportedly awaiting the Ministry of Interior’s green light and protocols. Now, the state government has shifted focus from education to tourism from investing in future leaders to curating the past.

Let it be known, I wholeheartedly commend Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration for modernizing our correctional infrastructure and decongesting the antiquated prison. That was bold, necessary, and worthy of praise. But I say this with patriotic urgency our historical preservation must not begin and end within the city walls of Kurmawa.

Have we forgotten Dala Hill, the cradle of Kano civilization? Have we truly looked at the current state of Dutsen Bompai,the site of the first Friday mosque said to be in Juma Quarters within the ancient town? The ancient wells like Hangan Baki, Babban Baki, and Kasuwar Kurmi sites that predate colonialism and hold deep indigenous historical value? Or the centuries-old city walls that once defined Kano’s resilience and power? These are not just relics they are the living soul of our people’s journey.

To be fair, I recognize and sincerely appreciate the governor’s recent efforts in reviving and renovating Gidan Dan Hausa and other cultural assets within the old city. These actions show promise and dedication. But we must go further. We must look beyond Kurmawa. The state’s ancient heartbeat lies scattered across its landscape outside the palace walls, across forgotten paths, and buried beneath neglect.

In light of this, I urge the Kano State Government to reconsider the museum plan and reallocate resources where they are most needed. First, revisit the visionary plan to build a Mega Girls Secondary School on the Kurmawa site a powerful investment in the intellectual and moral backbone of our future. This project will also help decongest the already overstretched and ill-equipped Kurmawa Girls Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, which are currently situated at the old site of the state's pioneering public library, directly behind the Kurmawa Prison.

Second, consider converting the site into an extension of the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, which is currently overwhelmed by the demands of our ever-growing population. While I commend the government’s initiative in acquiring a building at Zango Quarters as an extension, it is clear that far more capacity is urgently needed.

Yes, a museum can attract tourists and display relics. But we already have Gidan Makama Museum, a historic facility that, if properly upgraded and equipped with indigenous artifacts found throughout Kano’s ancient territories and beyond, could serve that very purpose.

This is not a rejection of history,it is a call to embrace it more fully, more authentically, and more strategically. A call to shift our focus from symbolic projects to life-changing legacies. To remember that patriotism is not just about preserving the past,it is about building a future worthy of it.

Let us not allow the grandeur of our ancestors to be buried beneath the weight of misplaced priorities. Let us honour their memory by empowering our girls, healing our sick, and safeguarding every stone, hill, and wall that tells our real story.

Sarki write from Zawaciki 

August 11, 2025