The Jigawa State Government has declared an education emergency, unveiling sweeping reforms aimed at tackling poor literacy rates and reshaping the future of learning in the state.
Governor Umar Namadi told our correspondent that a baseline survey revealed an alarming reality: eight out of every ten pupils in Primary One could neither read nor write.
“Education is the bedrock of any society. Our findings were alarming, so we had to act fast,” the governor stated.
To address the chronic shortage of qualified teachers, the state confirmed 3,000 of the 4,500 J-Teach temporary staff as permanent and pensionable, hired another 3,000 fresh recruits, and employed 4,200 more at the senior secondary level. This brings the total to more than 10,000 new teachers recruited within a few months.
Namadi emphasized that his administration also split the Ministry of Education into Basic Education and Higher Education to ensure focused management and reduce bureaucracy.
The state is empowering School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) and introducing Mothers’ Forums to improve monitoring and accountability. While SBMCs track teacher attendance, the Mothers’ Forums encourage parents to ensure children attend classes regularly—a step that has boosted both discipline and performance in schools.
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In collaboration with NewGlobe, a UK-based education consultancy firm, Jigawa has begun witnessing “remarkable outcomes” in literacy and numeracy levels at the primary school stage.
The administration has also integrated the Almajiri system into formal education by renovating Tsangaya schools and constructing three mega boarding Tsangaya institutions, each accommodating 1,500 pupils. These schools combine Quranic education with literacy, numeracy, vocational training, and even farming for food sustainability.
At the higher education level, the School of Basic Studies in Bamabara has been transformed into an Institute of Vocational Training, fitted with N25 billion worth of modern training facilities. Similarly, eight secondary schools were upgraded into vocational excellence centers, while the State University of Technology now provides advanced opportunities for graduates.
The governor disclosed that more than 7,000 teachers at the basic level and 4,800 at the higher education level have received training. In addition, about 10,000 teachers are currently undergoing competency assessments to inform future training programs.
“Our goal is to build a professional, well-equipped, and motivated teaching workforce. We are laying a solid foundation for the future of Jigawa,” Namadi affirmed.
With more than 10,000 new teachers, fresh investments in infrastructure, and innovative reforms, Jigawa is positioning itself as a model for educational transformation in Northern Nigeria.
