Muhammad Baba Ibrahim, the chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), was fired by Mohammed Umaru Bago, the governor of Niger State.
According to reports, Abubakar Usman, the State Government Secretary, made the announcement in a statement on Friday.
According to Usman, Bago also fired every permanent member, including Dr. Aminu Aliyu Wushishi, the board secretary, Hajiya Kaka Ibrahim Wabi (Permanent Member I), Haruna Arafat Abubakar Magaji (Permanent Member II), Barr. Maryam Kolo (Permanent Member III), and Abdul Razak Mu’azu Jikantoro (Permanent Member IV).
He said that the choice was a component of Bago’s administration’s continuous attempts to develop and reposition the education system for increased effectiveness, accountability, and better service delivery.
He said that all Board members, including the Secretary, were directed to give the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education all of the Board’s official records, assets, and duties.
According to the SSG, the Governor wished the departing Board members and the Secretary well in their future endeavors and expressed gratitude for their service and efforts to the expansion and advancement of basic education in the State.
Bago, meantime, recently caused a stir among religious authorities when he said that priests had to submit sermons for assessment and receive licenses within two months.
“Everyone going to sermon on Friday should bring his scriptures for review,” the governor reportedly said in a TVC interview.
The declaration has sparked discussions throughout the state, with some applauding it as a daring move toward peace and others worrying that it may violate people’s right to freedom of religion.
The Director-General of Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, defended the governor by clarifying that the new policy is actually a resuscitation of a 1985 decree.
“In Niger State, we have a legislation… It is not a new policy because an edict law has been in place since 1985. In order to maintain peaceful conditions and prevent conflicts, we are currently attempting to revitalize the law to make it helpful,” he stated.
