Kano State officials have refuted social‑media claims that the historic Murtala Muhammed Library has been left to decay, confirming that the building is undergoing a comprehensive renovation and modernization programme.
The clarification came in a statement issued on Monday by Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs. Waiya said the government had already awarded a contract to Global Firm Limited for the library’s rehabilitation, a key component of its broader effort to upgrade educational infrastructure in the state.
The controversy was sparked by a short video that went viral on various platforms, showing a crowded, disordered area on the library’s upper floor. According to the commissioner, the footage was taken while contractors were temporarily moving furniture, bookshelves and other materials to the lower level to facilitate refurbishment of the reading halls. The relocation created the “messy” appearance captured in the clip, but it does not reflect the overall condition of the facility.
“We wish to categorically clarify that the library has not been abandoned. It is presently undergoing a comprehensive renovation and modernization process aimed at restoring its lost glory and transforming it into a modern resource centre for learning, research and intellectual development,” the statement read.
Despite the ongoing works, the government expressed disappointment with the contractor’s progress. Waiya alleged that Global Firm Limited had halted activity after an initial start‑up phase, prompting the state to consider sanctioning the firm in accordance with contractual provisions and due‑process requirements. He stressed that Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration would not tolerate negligence or undue delays that could jeopardise projects meant to enhance the state’s educational facilities.
The renovation is expected to deliver upgraded reading halls, digital research resources, enhanced lighting and ventilation, and a more conducive environment for students, scholars and the general public. The commissioner highlighted that education remains a top priority for the current administration, citing recent achievements such as the declaration of a state of emergency on education, increased budget allocations, rehabilitation of public schools, payment of examination fees for indigent students, distribution of instructional materials and intensified recruitment of teaching staff. Investments in higher‑education institutions and libraries across Kano have also been amplified.
Officials urged residents to disregard misinformation suggesting the library’s deliberate abandonment and to verify information before sharing material that could cause unwarranted public concern. The state government reaffirmed its commitment to revitalising educational institutions and creating an enabling environment for academic excellence throughout Kano State.
