The Kano State government has approved ₦397,665,367.01 for the general rehabilitation of Government Secondary School (GSS) Rimi, located in Sumaila Local Government Area.
This development comes barely seven weeks after our special report, tagged “Community Report,” exposed the school’s deplorable learning conditions, sparking public outcry and calls for urgent government intervention.
The approval was part of decisions reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Friday, October 3, 2025, by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The council said the move reflects the administration’s renewed commitment to reviving education at all levels, particularly in rural communities that have suffered years of neglect.
According to the statement released after the meeting, the project will cover the general rehabilitation of physical structures at the school, including classrooms, administrative blocks, staff offices, laboratories, and sanitation facilities.
The state government explained that the rehabilitation is aimed at restoring a safe and conducive learning environment for students and teachers.
From Neglect to Action
GSS Rimi, one of the oldest secondary schools in Sumaila, has for years battled severe infrastructural decay.
Broken walls, leaking roofs, and overcrowded classrooms became a daily reality for students, many of whom attended classes under unsafe conditions.
Teachers at the school also struggled with a lack of teaching materials and poor staff welfare, forcing some to relocate to other institutions.
In August, our weekly community report aired on Cool FM, Wazobia FM, and Arewa Radio bringing the school’s situation to public attention. The report featured interviews with students, teachers, and community members, all lamenting how the poor facilities had crippled learning outcomes.
The program’s coverage went viral on social media, drawing sympathy and concern from education stakeholders and alumni of the school.
Community, Alumni React
Reacting to the new development, Abba Munkaila Yahaya, an old student of the school, described the government’s approval as a timely and commendable intervention.
He said, “We are grateful that the government has finally listened to the voices of the people. The condition of our school had reached a breaking point, and this rehabilitation is coming at the right time.
It shows that when the media and citizens work together, positive change can happen.”
Abba also commended Cool FM, Wazobia FM, and Arewa Radio for consistently highlighting community issues and giving a voice to neglected areas.
“Without that report, this might have taken longer to happen,” he added.
However, he urged the contractor in charge of the project to ensure quality delivery and transparency throughout the process.
“We don’t just want patchwork or abandoned structures. The contractor must do the needful and ensure that what is promised is delivered for the sake of our children and generations to come,” he said.
Looking Ahead
The rehabilitation of GSS Rimi is expected to begin soon after the contract award process is completed.
Upon completion, the school is projected to have modern classrooms, improved sanitation facilities, better security fencing, and upgraded laboratory features expected to enhance learning outcomes and student enrollment.
Residents of Sumaila have expressed optimism that the government’s commitment will not stop at GSS Rimi but extend to other schools facing similar challenges.
As the state takes another step in its education revitalisation drive, GSS Rimi stands as a reminder that the partnership between the media, citizens, and government can turn advocacy into tangible development.
