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The Katsina State Government under Governor Dikko Radda upon assumption of office on May 29, 2023 to Friday, January 31, 2025 has so far spent over N120 billion across various educational initiatives and infrastructure development projects.
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 highlighted all of Radda’s administration achievements in basic, secondary, and tertiary education from 2023 to January 2025.
According to the Deputy, “At the basic education level, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) executed projects worth N9.1 billion, including the construction of 160 classrooms, 81 boreholes, 46 toilets and 20 staff quarters.
“Also, 258 classrooms were rehabilitated in addition to the provision of 612 teachers’ furniture and 14,602 two-seater pupils’ furniture. Facilities such as books, teaching aids and instructional materials, namely laptop/desktop computers, tablets, solar-powered panels, and inverters were provided. Additionally, motorcycles and vehicles were procured for effective monitoring,” he said.
He stated that the government also provided essential learning materials and conducted training for 274,816 education officials which comprise primary school teachers, integrated Qur’anic school teachers, officials of Better Education Service Delivery for All, as well as teachers of private schools.
“As part of the infrastructural development plan in our schools, the sum of N5,641,369,114.00 was expended under the Transforming Education System at State Level, (TESS-Project) /Better Education for Service Delivery Additional Financing (BESDA-AF), for the construction and rehabilitation of 150 primary schools across the State,” Deputy Governor Lawal stated.
Jobe further said the government, through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, spent the total sum of N6,804,415,196.00 for the construction and rehabilitation of some schools, provision of science and technical education consumables, books, instructional materials, furniture as well as feeding of boarding students among others.
“In the same vein, three Special Model Secondary Schools are being constructed at Radda, Dumurkul and Jikamshi while rehabilitation works were also carried out at Government Day Secondary Schools Funtua, Jikamshi, Ingawa, Zango and GGSS Kabomo,” Deputy Governor pointed out.
He equally noted that the procurement of additional science equipment and materials which were distributed to 36 secondary schools across the State.
He said, “On science and technical education, the Government expended the sum of N1,465,061,582.28 for feeding of boarding students at schools under the State Science and Technical Education Board, as well as for reconstruction and rehabilitation of structures at GCC Mai’adua, GTC Ingawa, GGSSS Malumfashi, GGCC Charanchi, GSSS Musawa, GSSS Kaita, GSSS Faskari and GTC Mashi”.
He further explained that under the AGILE project, the administration has constructed 75 new junior and senior secondary schools at N13.6 billion, with an additional 77 schools under construction at N36.8 billion. The project also includes the rehabilitation of 578 schools and provision of digital learning materials worth N6.6 billion.
Jobe also told journalists that the administration provided special grants for renovation of 75 newly constructed secondary schools, provision of conditional cash transfer to 104,111 girls across 255 secondary schools and renovation/expansion of existing school infrastructure, provision of WASH and Games facilities to 578 secondary schools across the State.
“In line with the Governor promise to make proper partnership with AGILE and drive education growth, a total of 45 existing Junior and Senior Secondary Schools are identified for rehabilitation at the cost of N10,800,000, 00.00.
“The project expended the sum of N6,600,000,000.00 in procuring teaching materials such as; Digital Learning Materials for 170 schools, Digital Literacy Books for 200 schools, Solar, Inverter and Batteries for 170 schools, 1,200 refuse containers for 600 secondary schools and 1No of Toyota Corolla for Project Finance Management Unit.
“Others are instructional Materials to 170,000 students, distribution of teaching and learning materials to focus schools for effective implementation and empowering 60,000 girls with life skills.
“This laudable initiative has tremendously increased girls enrollment in our schools and improved their educational advancement,” he informed pressmen.
“At Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, the Government has expended the sum of N314,605,500.00 to restore adequate electricity supply. This is in addition to the provision of solar security lights at the cost of N98,246,064.00 aimed at enhancing security at the campus and promoting sustainable energy solutions within the University,” he continued.
“This administration has also released the sum of N135,992,00.00 as accreditation fee for various programs in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“Through Katsina Youth Craft Village (KYCV), the administration has empowered 634 graduates with starter packs worth N248 million, establishing a central workshop for government vehicle repairs. This initiative is in line with the government’s commitment to youth empowerment and practical skills development”.
He added that the government has upgraded the central workshop at the KYCV for the repairs of Government vehicles as a cost saving measure at the cost of N31,000,000:00.
“The tertiary education sector received significant attention, with major investments in Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, and other state-owned institutions. Notable among these is the elevation of Yusuf Bala Usman College of Legal Studies, Daura, to a full-fledged College of Education.
“The administration has supported academic excellence by disbursing N1.9 billion in scholarships to 136,175 students and introduced special awards for first-class graduates. Additionally, 210 high-performing students received recognition and cash awards for maintaining exceptional CGPAs.
“These achievements underscore our administration’s commitment to transforming education in Katsina State.
“We are building a solid foundation for our citizens’ future through strategic investments in educational infrastructure and human capital development,” the Katsina State Deputy Governor further explained.
