By Adamu Amadu, Dutse
The Jigawa State Government has commenced the distribution of free school uniforms and sporting materials to 30,000 female students in public schools across the state, as part of efforts to boost girl-child education.
Speaking at the official launch held at Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jahun, Governor Malam Umar Namadi said the initiative is a strategic intervention aimed at encouraging school enrollment and retention among girls by addressing basic needs that often pose barriers to their education.
“We are distributing about 30,000 pieces of school uniforms to students across the state. In addition, sporting materials are being provided to support extracurricular and physical activities in our schools,” the governor stated.
He emphasized that the programme aligns with his administration’s long-standing policy of providing free education for girls from primary through university level.
“Our objective is to ensure that our girls are encouraged not only to enroll in school but to pursue their education to the highest level possible. It is a well-established fact that educating a girl-child is one of the most powerful tools for societal development. When you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
Governor Namadi underscored the pivotal role women play in the family and broader society, describing them as central to child development and learning.
“Women are the backbone of families. They are the ones who stay with the children at home. They guide and support their children’s learning, help them prepare for school, and nurture them through all stages of growth and development. Therefore, investing in their education is a decision of immeasurable value,” he noted.
He revealed that billions of naira have been invested in renovating school infrastructure, training teachers, and procuring teaching materials, as part of broader reforms in the education sector.
Education, he said, remains a cornerstone of the administration’s 12-point development agenda. He reminded the audience that education received 32% of the state’s budget allocation last year and 26.7% this year—the highest among all sectors.
“Our goal is simple: to ensure that every indigene of Jigawa State—male or female—has access to quality education,” Governor Namadi affirmed.
He also highlighted the ₦67 billion Jigawa Unite Project as a flagship education programme.
The five-year initiative, launched through a Memorandum of Understanding with a UK-based institution, is designed to integrate ICT into classroom instruction, provide continuous teacher training, and create a more conducive learning environment across the state.