Dutse, Aug. 18, 2026
Jigawa State Executive Council has approved about N3.45 billion for education, human capital development, road infrastructure and drainage projects across the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports, Mr Sagir Musa Ahmed, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the council’s weekly meeting presided over by Gov. Umar Namadi.
Ahmed said the council approved N891.66 million, for the payment of tuition fees and other academic and welfare expenses for 193 Jigawa indigenes studying Medical and Applied Medical Sciences at Near East University, Cyprus, for the 2026/2027 academic session.
He said the approval covered tuition, administrative fees, Value Added Tax, accommodation, living allowances, resident permits and health insurance for the returning students.
According to him, the council expressed satisfaction with the students’ academic progress, noting that 99 of the 193 students had completed their mandatory 500-level courses and commenced internship, while another 55 were expected to complete outstanding courses before commencing their internship.
He added that the council also commended Abu-Ubaida Abubakar, a Jigawa indigene who recorded the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average in the Civil Engineering Department since the establishment of the university.
The commissioner said the continued sponsorship of the students reflected the administration’s commitment to human capital development, particularly in medical and applied medical sciences considered critical to strengthening the state’s healthcare workforce.
Ahmed further disclosed that the council approved N1.056 billion to settle outstanding 2026 national examination registration charges for 40,210 students across the state.
He said the amount would cover registration fees for 32,663 students writing the National Examinations Council (NECO), 685 students under the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and 6,862 students sitting for examinations conducted by the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS).
The commissioner said the intervention was aimed at ensuring that no eligible student was denied the opportunity to sit for national examinations because of inability to pay registration fees.
On infrastructure, Ahmed said the council approved N1.096 billion for the construction of access road culverts and drainage infrastructure along Sansani–Ganau–Samai Road in Miga Local Government Area and Limintani–Kagadama Road in Babura Local Government Area.
He said N346.99 million was approved for the Sansani–Ganau–Samai project, with a completion period of 16 weeks, while N748.73 million was approved for the Limintani–Kagadama project.
According to him, the projects are expected to mitigate flooding, improve drainage and rainwater evacuation, protect road infrastructure and properties, and enhance connectivity and mobility in the benefiting communities.
Ahmed also announced the council’s approval of N405.16 million for the renovation of dilapidated classroom blocks across the state under the 2026 Capital Development Programme.
He said the intervention would rehabilitate deteriorating classrooms and provide safer and more conducive learning environments for pupils and students.
The commissioner said the projects demonstrated the administration’s commitment to investing in education and infrastructure as key drivers of human capital development and socio-economic growth.
He urged relevant authorities, school managements, communities and other stakeholders to ensure proper maintenance and protection of the renovated facilities for the benefit of present and future generations.
Ahmed also conveyed the council’s congratulations to the sponsored students and urged them to remain focused, uphold the good name of Jigawa State and Nigeria, and return home after their studies to contribute their expertise to the state’s development.
