Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, approved over ₦740 million for educational infrastructure projects.
The approval by the Jigawa State Executive Council chaired by Namadi, is to tackle the growing number of out-of-school children and encourage enrolment.
The council’s decision comes in response to the state’s struggle with educational setbacks, where recent statistics from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) reveal that nearly 400,000 children are out of school, placing Jigawa among the states with the highest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
Major Educational Investments
The council approved ₦740.79 million for the construction and renovation of educational facilities in various schools across the state. The funds will be used to build classrooms, laboratories, administration blocks, ICT labs, workshops, and toilets in selected schools, including Government Day Science Technical College (GDSTC) in Kafin Hausa and Babura, College of Government Secondary Schools (CGSSS) in Roni and Jahun, and other institutions in Gumel, Kanya Babba, Ringim, Dutse, and Hadejia.
“Investing in education is crucial to addressing the alarming rate of out-of-school children in Jigawa State. By improving our schools’ infrastructure, we are making them more conducive for learning and encouraging parents to enrol their children,” said Sagir Musa Ahmed, the Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sport, and Culture.
“Our aim is to increase enrolment rates significantly and reduce the number of children not receiving formal education.”
In addition to infrastructure, ₦624.02 million was allocated for bursary allowances, which will benefit 14,269 students in higher institutions across the state, including Sule Lamido University Kafin Hausa and Jigawa State Polytechnic.
The bursaries aim to support both newly admitted and returning students for the 2023/2024 academic session, providing financial relief to families and promoting higher education enrolment.
“With the economic challenges faced by many households, financial barriers often prevent children from pursuing education. The bursary allowance is a strategic effort to ease this burden and encourage students to continue their studies,” the Commissioner added.
Economic Initiatives to Ease Hardships
Recognising the economic hardship faced by citizens, the council also approved measures aimed at boosting economic opportunities. A significant allocation of ₦466.73 million was made for the procurement of 300 solar-powered multi-purpose kiosks.
These kiosks are intended to generate employment and stimulate economic activities across the state, providing avenues for small-scale business growth.
“Job creation is a priority for the state government, especially at a time when unemployment rates are high. The kiosks will not only provide immediate employment for young people but also create a ripple effect in local economies,” noted the Commissioner.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports an unemployment rate of over 33% in Jigawa State, indicating a pressing need for economic intervention.
Moreover, the council sanctioned ₦1.18 billion for critical electrification projects, including the extension of electricity, rehabilitation of substations, and development of a 33KV ITC Line across local government areas such as Gwaram, Kafin Hausa, Kaugama, Kiyawa, and Kirikasamma. “Reliable power supply is essential for economic development, and these electrification projects will facilitate business operations, reduce the cost of production, and improve the overall quality of life,” Ahmed explained.
