HEI Nigeria Calls on NAPPS to Intervene in Katsina Private School Licensing Policy
TEC News | 23rd August, 2025.
The Human Enhancement Institute (HEI Nigeria) has appealed to the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) to intervene in the ongoing licensing dispute between private schools and the Katsina State Government.
In an open letter addressed to the NAPPS National President and copied to TEC News, the institute expressed concern over the state’s recent directive terminating all existing operational licenses for private and community schools.
According to a TEC News report earlier this month, the Katsina State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education announced that all schools must reapply for licenses under a revised fee structure, with payments covering registration, annual renewal, and upgrade charges. The Ministry said the policy, which took effect on August 13, 2025, is part of reforms aimed at strengthening supervision, standardization, and quality assurance in education delivery.
However, HEI Nigeria argued that the measure places additional burdens on private schools, many of which already operate with limited resources. The group noted that private schools contribute significantly to Nigeria’s education system by complementing government efforts, creating jobs, and providing access to education in underserved areas.
In its letter signed by Lead Director Da-Silva O. Johnson, the institute urged NAPPS to engage the Katsina State Government and, if necessary, seek federal intervention. It warned that the policy could lead to higher school fees, possible closures, and increased dropout rates if not reviewed.
“Education reform should be about improving learning outcomes, not generating revenue at the expense of struggling schools and vulnerable families,” the statement read in part.
While acknowledging the state’s intention to improve accountability, HEI Nigeria called for dialogue between government and stakeholders to ensure that reforms strengthen education delivery without jeopardizing the survival of private schools.
TEC News correspondent reports that the National President’s response is still awaited.
Copy of letter below 👇
“An Open Letter to National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS.
The National President.
Urgent Intervention Required to Stop Katsina State’s Oppressive Clampdown on Private Education
Dear Esteemed Leaders, NAPPS.
Permit us to quote from TEC News report please ;
“The Katsina State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has announced the termination of all previously issued operational licenses for private and community schools in the state, effective August 13, 2025.
In a press release signed by the Public Relations Officer, Sani Danjuma Suleiman, the Ministry stated that the move aligns with the state’s new education reform agenda aimed at enhancing supervision, standardization, and quality assurance in school operations.
According to the directive, all private and community schools are now required to reapply for licenses under a revised fee structure covering license application, registration, annual renewal, and school upgrade charges. Schools are mandated to make payments through the state’s Treasury Single Account before September 30, 2025, or risk operating without valid approval.
The Ministry assured stakeholders that the revised measures are designed to safeguard learners’ future by promoting accountability and global best practices in education delivery”…
Sir, Ma,
On behalf of Human Enhancement Institute (HEI Nigeria) and concerned stakeholders in the education sector, we write to urgently draw your attention to the alarming policy direction of the Katsina State Government, which has recently terminated all existing operational licenses of private and community schools, compelling them to reapply under a new regime of fees.
This decision, announced on August 18, 2025, may appear to be a reform initiative on the surface, but in reality, it is a deliberate move to exploit and weaken private education in the state. By withdrawing valid approvals without any record of misconduct, the government has reduced law-abiding school owners to helpless applicants in their own state. This is nothing short of bullying, economic slavery, and systemic oppression.
Private schools in Nigeria already shoulder enormous burdens—providing employment, reducing government’s infrastructural deficits, and ensuring access to education where public schools fail. According to UNESCO and World Bank reports, Nigeria’s public school system suffers from inadequate funding, teacher shortages, and dilapidated infrastructure. Private schools fill this gap, often with little or no support from government. Instead of incentivizing and partnering with them, states like Katsina—and earlier, Kano—are weaponizing licensing as a tool of extortion.
NAPPS must recognize the broader danger of this trend: if left unchecked, similar policies will spread across states, strangling private education, increasing school closures, and pushing thousands of learners back into an already overstretched and failing public system.
Our key concerns are as follows:
1. Why should existing valid approvals be withdrawn without offence? This is an abuse of regulatory power.
2. Why subject schools to a fresh round of applications and arbitrary fees? This suggests a revenue-driven agenda, not educational reform.
3. Why should state governments punish private schools that are partners in education delivery rather than support them?
HEI Nigeria strongly condemns this policy and calls on NAPPS Nigeria to rise to its mandate of defending private school proprietors nationwide. We urge immediate engagement with Katsina State Government and, if necessary, federal intervention to stop this extortionist practice.
Education reform should be about improving learning outcomes, not generating revenue at the expense of struggling schools and vulnerable families. This policy, if implemented, will raise school fees, force closures, increase dropout rates, and worsen the education crisis in Northern Nigeria.
We are aware that NAPPS has state structure in Katsina state but also know that the state branch at this point might find it difficult to defend themselves but expect help from anywhere including the national body.
Hence, we stand with NAPPS in the struggle for fairness and justice. Together, we must resist every attempt to turn private education into a target of exploitation.
We shall expect response as soon as possible to enable us exhale on the matter soonest.
Yours in advocacy,
e-signed:
Da-Silva.O. Johnson
Lead Director,
HEI Nigeria.
20/8/2025.
Human Enhancement Institute (HEI Nigeria)
No 3, Ajileye Mudasiru Close, Dagiri, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
07013276772, 08037850024
Cc: TEC News Nigeria.”
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