Educationist, women activist, and administrator, Hajia Hassu Iro Inko was born in 1936 in Kankia town. She had her early school education at Mani Elementary School from 1940 to 1944. And in 1944, she was enrolled into the Katsina Feeder School situated at the Emir’s Palace where she spent a year. She also attended an Intermediate School in Sokoto in 1945 and was thereafter transferred to the famous Katsina Middle School in 1946.

Hajia Hassu also attended Government Girls College, Kano, from 1947 to 1949.And in 1949, she was opportune to be among the few girls in the region that were selected and trained to qualify for Teachers’ Training Certificate IIl.

After obtaining her TC Il| Certificate in 1951, she was posted to an Elementary School (otherwise called Practicing School) where aspiring teachers practiced.

Hajia Hassu enrolled into Women Teachers’s College, Kano, for her TC II Certificate from 1960 to 1962. Certificates such as these came with enormous responsibilities, given that the country needed the services of these very few trained teachers. In addition to that, Hajia Hassu was a woman, and so her accomplishment was looked up to with reverence. And on her return, she served ina number of  capacities. She first served as a teacher at the Provincial Girls College in 1962. She later joined the Katsina Native Authority Education Department, where she was instrumental in the establishment of Girls Day Primary School, thereafter serving as the first Headmistress.

From 1969 to 1971, Haja Hassu furthered her studies at the Advanced Teachers College, Zaria, where she bagged an NCE. She later had her first Degree in Infant Methods from the University of Nottingham, England.

Hajja Hassu climbed the education administration ladder from Assistant Teacher at the Katsina Practicing School, to the Principal of Women Teachers College Katsina in 1973, and to Chief Education Officer in 1987.

She also held numerous state and national appointments, among which are:

1. Federal Electoral Commissioner, Lagos, from 1976 to 1979.

2. Federal Electoral Commissioner. Abuja, from 1980 to 1983.

3. Sole Administrator, Dutsinma Local Government in 1989.

4. Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Rimi Local Government in 1990.

5. Director General, Katsina State Women Commission in 1991.

6. Member, Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic Governing Council.

7. Member, Bayero University Kano Governing Council.

8. Member, Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board.

9. Member, National Library Board.

10.1st Amira of Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMAN), Katsina

State Branch.

11. 1st Presidentof the National Council for Women Studies (NCWC), an NGO for uplifting of women’s welfare in northern Nigeria.

12. Member, Gidauniyar Jihar Katsina.

13. Trustee and Proprietress of Aisha Memorial Nursery and Primary School, Katsina, of the first private schools in Katsina.

Hajia Hassu Iro Inko received numerous commendations and honorary awards from various governmental and non-governmental organizations nationwide.

She was among the few early-educated women in northern Nigeria. She symbolizes (even in death) the value of girl-child education.

Hajia Hassu served diligently and passionately and has become a source of inspiration to many women in the patriarchal region of northern Nigeria. 

She enjoyed reading, knitting, and gardening.

She died on 5 March 2005 in a ghastly motor accident, leaving behind many children and grandchildren.

May Allah forgive her shortcomings and admit into paradise, amin.

This article was culled from the citation of honorary Doctorate Degree by Umaru Musa Yar’adua University which took place on 25th May 2024.