Dr. Tijjani Sarki

 CALL FOR URGENT HOUSEKEEPING IN OUR EDUCATION SECTOR By Tijjani Sarki In the spirit of patriotism and deep commitment to our children’s future, I find it necessary to echo  and amplify  the crucial points raised by Comrade Malam Aminu Mohammed Yahaya in his well-articulated piece, “The Efforts of Kano State Government on the Declaration of a State of Emergency on Education Can Never Be Sabotaged.” His words are timely, yet the realities on the ground demand even greater urgency and collective vigilance. Indeed, the Declaration of a State of Emergency on Education by His Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, stands as a historic and patriotic intervention, a visionary move to revive a system long battered by years of neglect, corruption, and administrative decay. As someone who has consistently championed reforms and accountability in education, I must sound a note of caution, if we do not urgently address the underlying issues of poor governance, favoritism, and administra...

 REKINDLING THE SPRIT OF NORTHER REFORM: A Response to Engr. Bello Gwarzo Abdullahi’s “The Reformers Who Redeemed Tradition” By Tijjani Sarki Good Governance Advocate and Public Policy Analyst I read with deep admiration and reflection the article by Engr. Bello Gwarzo Abdullahi, “The Reformers Who Redeemed Tradition.” His piece beautifully captures the essence of Northern Nigeria’s great reformers, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mallam Aminu Kano, and Alhaji Abubakar Imam, three men who stood tall in their time and redefined what leadership meant for an emerging nation. Engr. Abdullahi’s tribute, is not just history retold it is a timeless reminder that leadership once meant integrity, courage, and moral conviction. His portrayal of Balewa’s patient persuasion, Aminu Kano’s revolutionary zeal, and Imam’s intellectual awakening took me back to an era when leadership was about service, not self, about justice, not privilege. The trio’s ideals gave Northern Nigeria its moral foundation ...

 MANDATORY MILITARY SERVICE FOR NIGERIAN YOUTHS: A NEW DAWN OR ANOTHER PIPE DREAM? By Tijjani Sarki   Good Governance Advocate and Public Policy Analyst 17th October ,2025 As Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, youth unemployment, and a widening national identity crisis, the call for mandatory military service for Nigerian youths feels both timely and necessary. I believe this initiative, if well-structured and transparently managed, could mark a pivotal shift in our national development narrative. Beyond the military aspect, this proposal presents a unique opportunity to reshape the mindset of our young population to instill discipline, promote civic consciousness, and provide practical skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive, fast-evolving world. Reimagining National Service for Impact. Unlike the current National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) which many would agree has outlived its original purpose this new model would not involve sending youths to vario...

 WHERE ARE KANO'S INDEPENDENT VOICES? – A RESPONSE By Tijjani Sarki October 18, 2025 Dear Raji Bello, Thank you for your well-articulated and courageous piece. Your reflections are not only timely but necessary, especially at a time when Kano, one of Nigeria’s oldest and most influential cities is being pulled in multiple directions. Your concern as a non-indigene is deeply appreciated and understood, given Kano’s far-reaching influence on political, religious, intellectual and cultural affairs across the northern region. I completely agree with your central thesis: the absence of neutral, independent voices in Kano’s public discourse is alarming. And while this silence may be partly due to fear, fatigue, or disillusionment, it is also a byproduct of the city’s evolution into a cosmopolitan state,  a reality that comes with both opportunities and complications. COSMOPOLITAN CITIES AND THEIR CHALLENGES Kano today resembles other great urban centres throughout history places lik...

 KYPC Spotlight Series: PROFESSOR NAZIFI ABDULLAHI DARMA: AN INSPIRATION AND BEACON OF HOPE FOR YOUTH AND PARENTS ALIKE From the vibrant heart of Darma Quarters in Kano Municipal Council, Nigeria, emerged a visionary whose relentless pursuit of knowledge and excellence has shaped not only his life but also the future of many. Born on May 16, 1967, Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma’s early years were marked by a deep thirst for learning nurtured in humble classrooms from Yolawa Community Islamic School to Tudun Madatai Primary School and enriched by the spiritual guidance of Late Malam Muhammadu Dan Mainna at Quranic School. What began as a simple quest for education soon blossomed into a remarkable journey of academic brilliance and dedicated service, proving that with determination and passion, humble origins are only the starting point for greatness. This foundation propelled Professor Darma to Aminu Kano Commercial College and later to Bayero University Kano, where he earned his ...

 NIGERIA IS LOSING A GENERATION: HOW ASUU STRIKES AND CERTIFICATE FRAUD ARE DESTROYING OUR FUTURE By Tijjani Sarki Good Governance Advocate & Public Policy Analyst October 14, 2025 Every time the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declares a strike, it's not just a halt in academic activities, it's another nail in the coffin of Nigeria’s already fragile education system. It is another blow to the dreams of millions of young Nigerians and a signal to the world that we are not serious about our future. For too long, we have tolerated the tragic normalisation of university strikes as though they are routine academic holidays. They are not. They are a national emergency. They are a betrayal of students, of parents, and of the very promise of Nigeria as a nation. A SYSTEM DESIGNED TO FAIL ITS YOUTH. Since 1999, Nigeria has seen more than 20 ASUU strikes, some lasting months, others over a year. The most recent major strike in 2022 lasted eight grueling months. This cons...

 REJOINDER TO THE OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU BY HON. IBRAHIM RABIU: A MISGUIDED PETITION THAT MISREPRESENTS HAUSAWA By Tijjani Sarki Good Governance Advocate and Public Policy Analyst In response to the recent open letter titled “Hausawa of Nigeria Officially Request the Separation of Hausa and Fulani” authored by Hon. Ibrahim Rabiu, it has become necessary to address the dangerous undertones and factual misrepresentations contained therein. The letter, which claims to speak on behalf of all Hausawa, calls for a formal ethnic separation between Hausa and Fulani people in federal and state matters. 1. Who is Speaking for the Hausawa? At the very onset, it must be asked. In what capacity does Mr. Ibrahim Rabiu claim to represent the entire Hausa ethnic group of Nigeria? While every citizen has a right to express their views, it is deeply inappropriate and misleading for an individual to use an official title such as “Former Senior Special Reporter on Transportation to...