Aside from the level of insecurity that plagues the Northern part of Nigeria, their hitherto restraint against Western education has had its effect on English language proficiency among students, which in turn has influenced students’ academic performance. This paper, therefore, critically examined remedial basic literacy education programmes as a technique to correct the menace of “BABU TURANCI” among secondary school students in some parts of northern Nigeria. Discussions on the three major concepts of remedial education programme, basic foundation literacy and English language proficiency, were brought to the fore. The concept, “Babu Turanci”, which means as English language proficiency was discussed in relation to academic performance. The rationale for basic literacy moreover, its implementation process was equally examined. Recommendations include; the identification of students who are not proficient in English language, design and implement remedial classes in all schools, advocate basic literacy, Government should sensitize and advocate adult literacy for parents in order to allow for balanced language communication and also create a nurturing relationship between school and home, Government should collaborate with National Youth Service Corp, to train Corp members on how to carry out such basic literacy classes and effective quality assurance over basic education programmes.