Grassroots Intervention Rescues Kadawa Primary School From Decades of Government Neglect

Nigerian activist, teacher, journalist and filmmaker Bello Galadanchi, popularly known as Dan Bello, has completed a remarkable renovation of the 55-year-old Kadawa Science and Mathematics Special Primary School in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, turning a long-neglected government facility into a modern, vibrant learning environment.

Working in partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dan Bello’s team executed the comprehensive overhaul in just six weeks. The school, originally built around 1970, had fallen into severe disrepair: classrooms lacked electricity and ceiling fans, floors were destroyed with exposed plaster, roofs leaked, windows were broken, and water came from a manual borehole.

The unfenced compound was also used as a community football field and thoroughfare. The renovation included new heat-resistant aluminum roofing, raised classroom ceilings, fresh plastering, suspended ceilings, modern whiteboards, full electrical wiring, four fans and lights per classroom, colourful painting, a basketball court, refurbished early childhood section with playground equipment, and a solar-powered borehole system.

In a widely shared video posted on X on May 22, 2026, Dan Bello walked viewers through the dramatic before-and-after transformation while crediting his project manager, Ibrahim Nasir Salisu, and community supporters. Much of the funding came from his personal resources and donations, highlighting a sharp contrast with typical government-contracted projects that often cost significantly more and take far longer to complete.

Bello Galadanchi, a dual US-Nigerian citizen born in Pennsylvania in 1987 to Nigerian parents, grew up in Abuja and maintains strong ties to Kano State. A former broadcaster with the BBC and Voice of America, he holds a Doctor of Education degree. Known for his blend of humour and hard-hitting social commentary, Dan Bello has built a reputation for practical activism. This is not his first school intervention – he previously renovated a single classroom in just 12 days at a cost of approximately ₦4.1 million, drawing attention to inefficiencies in public education spending.

The project shines a light on the deep challenges facing basic education in northern Nigeria. The region accounts for the majority of Nigeria’s out-of-school children, estimated between 10.2 million and 18.3 million nationally. Kano State alone has nearly 900,000 out-of-school children, with net primary attendance rates in the north hovering around 53%. Many schools suffer from poor infrastructure, lack of basic amenities, and underutilisation of budgeted funds despite significant allocations.

The video quickly went viral, attracting thousands of likes, reposts and comments within hours. Many Nigerians celebrated Dan Bello’s initiative, describing it as a shining example of what individuals can achieve when government systems fall short. Others used the moment to criticise northern governors and education officials for failing to deliver value despite large budgetary allocations, with some contrasting the cost-efficiency of this private-led project against multimillion-naira government contracts that yield poor results.

While most reactions have been positive, some users raised concerns about long-term sustainability, including risks of vandalism or lack of maintenance if the community does not take ownership of the facility.