Sokoto Government Suspends Six School Principals Over Misconduct

The Sokoto State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has suspended six secondary school principals for alleged misconduct, including insubordination and the unauthorized collection of fees for Junior Secondary School examination results. 

The suspension was approved by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala, and took effect on Monday. Affected Schools: 

Nana Girls Secondary School, Sokoto 

Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) 

Gagi GDSS Mana 

Giginya Memorial College 

Mana Basic Secondary School

GDSS Silame 

According to the ministry, the principals were suspended mainly for violating state policies on fee collection and failing to comply with administrative directives. To investigate the allegations, the commissioner has set up a five-member committee led by Professor Mustapha Namakka Tukur. Other members include: 

The Executive Secretary of AIEB 

The Director of Quality Assurance

The Director of Planning (Teachers’ Service Board) 

Another Director of Quality Assurance, who will serve as the committee secretary 

All suspended principals have been instructed to hand over administrative responsibilities to their Vice Principals (Administration) without delay. 

In a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Mohammad Iya, Professor Ala emphasized the state’s commitment to transparency and discipline in public schools: “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.” This action aligns with a 2024 Federal Government directive that urged states to eliminate illegal levies in public schools—practices that undermine Nigeria’s commitment to free and universal basic education. 

The suspension signals the Sokoto government’s firm stance on upholding integrity and enforcing accountability in the education sector.