“Your leadership is an inspiration to us and a beacon of hope for a better future built on knowledge, ideas, integrity, dignity, and moral discipline,” Jigawa female students.
These heartfelt words of appreciation came from female students in Jigawa State, who commended Governor Umar Namadi for his relentless efforts in promoting girl-child education and the transformative changes across all sectors in the state.
The students expressed their gratitude during the launch of a distribution of 30,000 free uniforms to female students in SSS1.
Speaking on behalf of her peers, Rukayya Yahaya, Head Girl of Government Girls Science Senior Secondary School, Jahun, highlighted how the governor’s prioritisation of education, especially for girls, has renewed their hope for access to quality education in dignified conditions.
“Since you assumed office two years ago, our daily meals have improved, teaching and learning materials have been enhanced, and our classrooms, hostels, and laboratories have been renovated, with new ones constructed across our schools.
“During your last visit, we requested a new hostel, and you fulfilled that promise. Now, we sleep with dignity and pride. Thank you for your unwavering support in shaping our future and the future of our society.
“We promise that the investments made in us will not be in vain,” Rukayya stated.
Her speech resonated deeply with attendees, including the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr Isa Yusuf Chamo, who was visibly moved by the testimonies of the primary beneficiaries of Jigawa’s free education policy for girls from primary to tertiary levels.
In the Jigawa State foreign scholarship program, 70% of the
beneficiaries are female students, many of whom are now studying MBBS and other medical-related courses in Cyprus and India.
The government sponsored 137 female students to pursue specialised courses at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi.
The Girls for Health (G4H) Programme sponsors qualified female students from rural communities to study health-related courses, with the assurance of posting them back to their communities upon graduation.
Under the annual scholarship scheme, all female students in Jigawa’s tertiary institutions study for free, while those in other institutions nationwide receive full financial support.
The administration has also invested in sports to promote holistic development. The state recently procured 304 footballs, 70 basketballs, 228 volleyballs, 70 handballs,30 badminton sets, 20 table tennis kits, 593 tracksuits, 738 jerseys, 96 athletic kits, and 774 whistles for training female students.
The Danmodi Students Care initiative is also doing a lot to support pupils’ enrolment in primary school, facilitate JAMB registration and admissions into tertiary institutions, and provide academic and moral guidance to girls and all students to achieve character and learning excellence.
Governor Namadi emphasised that the free girls’ child education policy aims to encourage female students to pursue education up to the tertiary level.
The governor also consistently emphasised that girl-child education is key to sustainable development.
“Our girls are the mothers, wives, and leaders of tomorrow. Supporting them in acquiring quality education will help them unlock their potential, handle responsibilities effectively, and contribute to building an ideal and greater society,” he stated.
To actualize this vision, the government has allocated 26% of its 2025 budget to education, ensuring free education for girls at all levels.
Governor Namadi’s commitment to improving girl-child education has already started attracting support and intervention from the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and community leaders.
Zenith Bank is one of the latest institutions to intervene in the Government’s Girls Senior Secondary School Malammadori by renovating 40 classrooms, a kitchen, a dining hall, five blocks of toilets, three laboratories, a mosque, a library, and furniture.
According to Zenith Bank Northwest regional manager, Abubakar Gwaranyo, the renovation of the school is part of their corporate social responsibility.
They chose to offer their intervention to the education sector, particularly girl-child education, aimed at supporting the state government in achieving its desired goals of giving access to quality and affordable education from primary to higher institutions to all girls in the state.
The Jigawa Free Education policy aligns with Governor Namadi’s 12-point agenda, which is designed to guide Jigawa toward progress and prosperity.
With its unwavering commitment to quality education for girls and all children, Jigawa State is undoubtedly on the right path to achieving greatness sooner rather than later.