A school teacher, Abduljalal Usman, has reportedly been suspended for three months without salary in Kebbi State after allegedly rejecting Ramadan palliatives and criticising the state government.
According to sources, Usman declined “one mudu of maize and one mudu of millet” distributed by the state government as Ramadan relief items for residents during the fasting period.
The teacher’s refusal and his criticism of the programme reportedly led to disciplinary action by authorities under Nasir Idris.
A suspension letter issued by the education secretary at the Dandi Local Government Education Authority in Kamba accused the teacher of negligence of duty and ordered that he be suspended for three months.
However, the letter did not clearly state the specific act of negligence committed by Usman.
Critics of the decision claim the teacher was punished for rejecting the palliative and speaking against governance in the state. Some described the action as an abuse of power, arguing that teachers should not be punished for expressing their views.
The incident has sparked debate among education stakeholders and civil society groups about freedom of expression and the welfare of teachers in the state’s public education system.
