By Sabiu Abdullahi
The UK Government, in collaboration with the British High Commission in Nigeria, has pledged unwavering support to the Jigawa State Government to improve education in the state.
Mr. Ian Attfield, FCDO’s Senior Education Adviser, reiterated this commitment during his recent visit to the state, where he engaged in constructive discussions with Governor Namadi and his State Cabinet.
Attfield’s visit focused on evaluating the impact of the UK government’s initiatives in improving foundational skills and ensuring quality learning opportunities in Jigawa State.
He expressed contentment with the state’s proactive approach to addressing challenges, particularly in education and healthcare.
“We are pleased with your dedication, and we are prepared to fortify our partnership to attain our shared objectives,” Mr. Attfield affirmed, acknowledging the state’s efforts in tackling these issues.
Governor Namadi expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) for their continued support.
He emphasised the strides made in various sectors, including education, health, and good governance, with the aid of FCDO’s Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) and Partnership for Reform and Learning (PERL-ARC) programmes. Governor Namadi also disclosed the allocation of over 2.6 billion naira to recruit, train, and integrate 6,000 new teachers.
This initiative aims to alleviate the acute shortage of teachers in the state, a deficit estimated at around 30,000 educators.
The collaborative efforts between the UK Government and the Jigawa State Government represent a significant advancement in bolstering the educational landscape.