Governor Nasir Idris has flagged off the distribution of learning materials, vehicles, and motorcycles worth N2.7 billion to schools across the state.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi, by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kebbi State, Ahmed Idris, the distribution exercise marks a major step in the governor’s commitment to revitalising the education sector and providing free, quality education for all.
The statement further reveals that the distributed items include literacy and exercise books, computers, vehicles, motorcycles, and other essential educational materials.
It highlights that Governor Idris listed several of his administration’s achievements, including the renovation and furnishing of over 2,000 schools, construction of mega schools in each of the four Emirates, and the release of N2 billion to settle registration fees for indigent students as part of efforts to ease the burden on parents.
The statement adds that the governor has also implemented key reforms such as the recruitment of 2,000 new teachers and the extension of teachers’ years of service from 35 to 40 years.
He noted that the extension was his personal initiative, pursued during his tenure as National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and expressed satisfaction that Kebbi State has fully domesticated the policy.
It also mentions that to enhance the quality of basic education, professors of Kebbi origin have been appointed as chairmen of Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs), each provided with vehicles and enhanced allowances to support their roles.
According to the statement, about two million copies of books will be distributed to students in both primary and secondary schools in the state.
The statement quoted the governor as saying that public schools in Kebbi are gradually catching up with private schools and that ongoing infrastructural projects across the state—including roads, school upgrades, and other development efforts—reflect the administration’s broad vision for growth.
In the same vein, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Halima Bande, called on beneficiaries to make judicious use of the distributed items to uplift education in the state.
The statement also notes that the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Hon. Garba Bena, reaffirmed the Assembly’s full support for the administration’s education policies. He recalled how the House promptly passed the Executive Bill on teacher service extension sent by the governor, which was signed into law without delay.
Additionally, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Suleiman Khalid-Jega, was quoted in the statement as commending the administration’s dedication to education. He cited the construction of over 1,000 classrooms, drilling of boreholes, provision of school furniture, and technological upgrades to schools as major achievements.
Prof. Khalid-Jega also disclosed that N200,000 was allocated to each School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), while over 18,000 teachers and administrators were trained, and professors were appointed to oversee local education authorities.
He affirmed that the quality of basic education in the state has significantly improved, with Kebbi now performing above the national average in subjects such as Mathematics, English, and Basic Science.
“The statement concludes by emphasizing that Governor Nasir Idris is judiciously investing in the future of Kebbi through sustained and strategic investment in education.”
