The Sokoto State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has suspended six school principals for alleged acts of insubordination and unauthorised collection of fees related to Junior Secondary School examination results.
The suspension, which took immediate effect on Monday, was approved by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, as part of ongoing efforts to enforce discipline and accountability in the state’s education system.
The affected principals include those from Nana Girls Secondary School, Sokoto; Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Gagi; GDSS Mana; Giginya Memorial College; Mana Basic Secondary School, Sokoto; and GDSS Silame. While the first five were sanctioned over illegal levies, the principal of GDSS Silame was suspended specifically for insubordination.
To properly investigate the violations, the commissioner inaugurated a five-member committee chaired by Professor Mustapha Namakka Tukur. Other members include the Executive Secretary of the AIEB, the Director of Quality Assurance, the Director of Planning from the Teachers Service Board, and another Director of Quality Assurance who will serve as secretary.
The suspended principals have been directed to hand over all administrative responsibilities to their Vice Principals (Administration) without delay, ensuring continuity in school operations while the investigations proceed.
In a statement signed by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Mohammad Iya, on behalf of the commissioner, the government reaffirmed its determination to uphold transparency and discipline in all public schools across the state.
“No principal or school administrator will be allowed to act outside the law or exploit students and parents. Our schools must be governed by accountability, not personal interests,” Professor Ala warned, stressing that the state government would not hesitate to sanction erring officials.
The commissioner explained that the measures were necessary to protect parents and students from exploitation, noting that illegal levies discourage school enrolment and undermine the principle of universal access to education.
The Nigeria Education News recalls that in 2024, the Federal Ministry of Education had warned state governments to ensure strict compliance with directives aimed at eliminating unauthorised fees in public schools. The ministry cautioned that such practices contradict Nigeria’s commitment to universal basic education.
Education stakeholders in Sokoto have welcomed the move, saying it reflects the state’s renewed determination to reposition the sector. Some parents also expressed relief that the government is finally addressing the long-standing issue of hidden levies in schools.
Analysts believe that the decision to suspend the principals sends a strong message that the era of unchecked practices in public schools is coming to an end. They note that the outcome of the investigation will set an important precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
By enforcing discipline and accountability, the Sokoto State government has signalled its commitment to restoring trust in the education sector, ensuring that schools operate in line with the law and in the best interest of students and parents.
