The Adamawa State Government has inaugurated a high-powered committee to oversee the recruitment of 5,000 new teachers as part of a strategic effort to revitalise and strengthen the education sector across the state.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development Conference Hall in Yola, was presided over by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Umar Garba Pella. The initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to addressing the persistent shortage of qualified teachers in public schools and improving the quality of education delivery at both basic and post-primary levels.
The newly constituted committee comprises representatives from key government institutions, including the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB), the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Civil Service Commission, and the Office of the Head of Service, among others.
According to the Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Aisha Abubakar Umar, will serve as the chairperson of the committee, while the Acting Executive Secretary of PPSMB, Mr. Birsan Penuel, will act as co-chair.
Pella disclosed that the committee has been given a strict two-week mandate to screen and select 5,000 qualified candidates from a pool of over 18,000 applicants. The recruitment process, he noted, is expected to be transparent, merit-based, and in line with the state’s commitment to educational reform.
“This administration was elected to serve the people, and we are determined to ensure that they are truly served,” Pella stated. “This government enjoys a high level of trust from the electorate, and we are committed to sustaining that trust through transparency and fairness in all our processes.”
He cautioned members of the recruitment committee against any form of malpractice, favouritism, or political interference, stressing that the integrity of the process must remain uncompromised. “We will not tolerate any act that undermines merit or the confidence of the public. This exercise must produce teachers who are not only qualified but also passionate about transforming our schools,” he added.
The recruitment exercise is part of the state government’s broader education reform plan aimed at repositioning Adamawa’s learning system for excellence. Over the years, the state has struggled with acute teacher shortages, especially in rural areas where many classrooms remain overcrowded and under-resourced.
By hiring 5,000 new teachers, the government hopes to bridge the manpower gap, enhance teaching quality, and improve learning outcomes across the state’s primary and secondary schools.
Education experts have lauded the initiative as a timely response to one of the biggest challenges facing the state’s education system. With increased teacher recruitment, schools are expected to receive a boost in capacity, enabling better student engagement and performance.
The Commissioner also noted that the recruitment aligns with the state’s Education and Human Capital Development Blueprint, which prioritises teacher training, improved working conditions, and the adoption of modern teaching methods. “We want to build a system where every classroom is led by a competent, motivated teacher. That is the foundation of sustainable human capital development,” Pella emphasised.
The initiative also ties into broader national education objectives, particularly the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
By investing in teacher recruitment and capacity development, Adamawa State joins other forward-looking states prioritising education as a driver of social and economic progress.
The Commissioner concluded by commending Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for his consistent support for educational advancement, noting that the recruitment drive demonstrates the administration’s belief that “no nation can rise above the quality of its teachers.”
As the committee begins its work, stakeholders across the education sector from policymakers to community leaders who are watching closely, hopeful that the exercise will mark a turning point in the quest for a stronger, more efficient education system in Adamawa State.
