The Kano State Government has dismissed claims circulating on social media that the historic Murtala Muhammed Library has been abandoned, clarifying that the facility is currently undergoing renovation and modernization.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, said the state government had already awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of the library as part of efforts to restore the institution and upgrade it to modern standards.
According to the commissioner, the viral video showing a congested section of the library was misleading and failed to capture the ongoing renovation work at the facility.
He explained that the contractor handling the project, Global Firm Limited, had removed furniture, bookshelves and other materials from the upper section of the library to pave the way for rehabilitation works in the reading halls.
The items, he said, were temporarily relocated downstairs, creating the appearance seen in the video circulating online.
“The Kano State Government wishes to categorically clarify that the library has not been abandoned. Rather, the facility is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation and modernization process aimed at restoring its lost glory and transforming it into a modern resource centre of learning, research and intellectual development,” the statement said.
However, the government expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work on the project, accusing the contractor of abandoning the site after initially commencing work.
Mr Waiya disclosed that the state government had begun moves to sanction the contractor in line with contractual agreements and due process.
He stressed that the administration of Governor Abba Yusuf would not tolerate negligence or unnecessary delays capable of undermining projects designed to improve educational infrastructure in the state.
According to the commissioner, the renovation project is expected to provide modern facilities, improved reading halls, digital research resources and a more conducive learning environment for students, researchers, academics and members of the public upon completion.
The government reiterated that education remains one of the top priorities of the present administration.
The statement highlighted some of the achievements recorded by the government in the education sector since assuming office, including the declaration of a state of emergency on education, increased budgetary allocation to the sector, rehabilitation of public schools, payment of examination fees for indigent students, distribution of instructional materials and recruitment efforts aimed at improving teaching quality.
It also noted renewed investments in higher institutions and libraries across the state.
The government urged residents to disregard what it described as misleading narratives suggesting deliberate abandonment of the library project.
It further advised members of the public to verify information before sharing content capable of creating unnecessary misunderstanding or public anxiety.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to revitalising educational institutions and providing an enabling environment for learning and academic excellence across Kano State.
