Under the stewardship of Governor Dikko Radda, over N120 billion has been allocated towards education and infrastructure development between May 29, 2023, and January 31, 2025. This was disclosed by the state’s Deputy Governor, Faruk Jobe, during the third edition of the monthly press briefing at his residence on Friday.
The briefing outlined significant achievements in basic, secondary, and tertiary education within the period under review. At the basic education level, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) executed projects worth N9.1 billion, which included the construction of 160 classrooms, 81 boreholes, 46 toilets, and 20 staff quarters. Additionally, 258 classrooms were rehabilitated, along with the provision of 612 teachers’ furniture and 14,602 two-seater desks for pupils. The government also supplied essential learning materials such as books, teaching aids, laptop and desktop computers, tablets, solar-powered panels, and inverters. Motorcycles and vehicles were procured to enhance school monitoring activities.
To strengthen the education workforce, the administration provided training for 274,816 education officials, including primary school teachers, integrated Qur’anic school instructors, officials of the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) initiative, and teachers from private institutions. As part of the state’s infrastructural development plan, N5.64 billion was allocated under the Transforming Education System at State Level (TESS-Project) and BESDA Additional Financing (BESDA-AF) for the construction and rehabilitation of 150 primary schools across the state.
Further investments in secondary education included the allocation of N6.8 billion for school construction and rehabilitation, procurement of science and technical education materials, provision of books, instructional aids, furniture, and feeding programs for boarding students. The government is also constructing three Special Model Secondary Schools in Radda, Dumurkul, and Jikamshi, while rehabilitation efforts were carried out at Government Day Secondary Schools in Funtua, Jikamshi, Ingawa, Zango, and GGSS Kabomo. Additional science equipment and materials were distributed to 36 secondary schools.
In the field of science and technical education, N1.46 billion was allocated for the feeding of boarding students and the renovation of structures at institutions such as GCC Mai’adua, GTC Ingawa, GGSSS Malumfashi, GGCC Charanchi, GSSS Musawa, GSSS Kaita, GSSS Faskari, and GTC Mashi. Moreover, under the AGILE project, the administration constructed 75 new junior and senior secondary schools at a cost of N13.6 billion, with an additional 77 schools currently under construction for N36.8 billion. The initiative also includes the rehabilitation of 578 schools and the procurement of digital learning materials worth N6.6 billion.
To further improve learning conditions, the government provided special grants for the renovation of 75 newly constructed secondary schools and introduced a conditional cash transfer program benefiting 104,111 girls across 255 secondary schools. Infrastructure expansion efforts included WASH facilities and games amenities for 578 secondary schools. A total of N10.8 billion was allocated to rehabilitate 45 existing Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, while N6.6 billion was spent on digital learning materials, books, solar energy installations, and waste management solutions. Additionally, 60,000 girls received empowerment training in life skills as part of efforts to enhance female education in the state.
More Read
The administration also focused on tertiary education, investing N314.6 million to restore electricity at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, with an additional N98.2 million spent on solar security lighting to enhance campus safety. Accreditation fees totaling N135.9 million were paid for various programs in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions under the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Through the Katsina Youth Craft Village (KYCV), the government empowered 634 graduates with starter packs worth N248 million, supporting practical skills development. A central workshop for government vehicle repairs was upgraded at a cost of N31 million as a cost-saving measure.
Significant investments have been made in the tertiary education sector, benefiting institutions such as Umaru Musa Yar’adua University and Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, while Yusuf Bala Usman College of Legal Studies, Daura, has been upgraded to a full-fledged College of Education. In a similar commitment to advancing education, Peter Obi’s notable contributions, particularly in supporting nursing education, align with the government’s efforts. The administration also disbursed N1.9 billion in scholarships to 136,175 students, introduced special awards for first-class graduates, and recognized 210 high-achieving students with cash prizes for maintaining exceptional academic performance.
