Offers of appointment to 2,158 newly recruited teachers

In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

I give all praise and gratitude to Almighty Allah for granting us the privilege to witness this significant occasion—the flag-off of the distribution of offers of appointment to 2,158 newly recruited teachers who have successfully emerged from a rigorous and transparent recruitment process.

Today marks another important milestone in our administration’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding and repositioning the education sector in Katsina State. More importantly, it reflects our determination to fulfil the promise of our development agenda, “Building Your Future,” by investing in our people and equipping our young generation with quality education and the opportunities they deserve.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, education remains the most powerful instrument for societal transformation and sustainable development. A well-educated population is the foundation upon which prosperous societies are built. This administration therefore considers investment in education not as an expenditure, but as a strategic investment in the future of Katsina State.

As you may recall, in 2023, this administration recruited and deployed 7,323 teachers to strengthen teaching and learning at both the basic and secondary education levels. Earlier this year, we also employed and deployed 1,020 primary healthcare workers across the 34 Local Government Areas and recruited an additional 804 healthcare personnel for our secondary healthcare facilities.

Today’s exercise therefore represents another decisive step towards strengthening human capital development and ensuring that every child in Katsina State has access to quality education delivered by qualified and motivated teachers.

Since assuming office in 2023, our administration has made unprecedented investments in the education sector. We have constructed over 49 Junior and Senior Secondary Schools at a cost exceeding ₦17 billion. In addition, we established three Special Smart Schools at a cost of over ₦11 billion to provide world-class learning environments for our students.

To improve teaching and learning outcomes, we have provided instructional materials valued at over ₦654 million for secondary schools across the State. We have also expended more than ₦7.5 billion on the payment of WAEC, NECO, NBAIS and NABTEB examination fees for final-year students, thereby easing the financial burden on parents and expanding educational opportunities for our children.

Furthermore, the sum of ₦1.6 billion has been released to support feeding programmes in boarding schools, while ₦858 million has been provided as school running costs to ensure effective administration and improved learning conditions.

Under the State Science and Technical Education Board, we have constructed, rehabilitated and upgraded schools and provided instructional materials valued at ₦899 million. We also granted special recruitment approval for the engagement of 175 teachers in critical subject areas.

In recognition of the urgent need to improve learning environments at the primary level, our administration declared a State of Emergency on Primary School Infrastructure. Consequently, over 340 primary schools have been rehabilitated across the State.

Similarly, through the Teacher Effectiveness and Accountability for Learning Outcomes (TESS) intervention, significant investments exceeding ₦17 billion have been made in the provision of teaching and learning materials, renovation and upgrading of schools, teacher training programmes, digital devices and internet services.

Through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, 4,095 computer systems have been supplied to 200 secondary schools to advance digital literacy and prepare our children for the demands of the modern economy. In addition, approximately ₦26 billion has been invested in school improvement initiatives, while ₦1.9 billion has been expended on environmental enhancement projects in newly established schools.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

Infrastructure alone cannot deliver quality education. Teachers remain the most critical drivers of educational excellence. It is for this reason that our administration has implemented several policies and programmes aimed at improving teachers’ welfare, enhancing their professional competencies and motivating them to perform effectively.

These initiatives include:

• Introduction of a Rural Teachers Allowance of ₦30,000 per term for teachers serving in identified rural schools;
• Establishment of the Centre for Teacher Development and Training, with a dedicated facility at Government Girls Secondary School, Dutsin-Ma, alongside study centres in Daura and Funtua;
• Training of over 25,000 teachers across the primary and secondary education subsectors;
• Procurement of electronic motorcycles for teachers posted to difficult and hard-to-reach communities;
• Distribution of 18,000 digital tablets to facilitate lesson preparation and delivery;
• Upward review of the remuneration package of Local Government Education Authority Education Secretaries from Grade Level 14 to Grade Level 16;
• Institutionalization of the appointment of Education Secretaries from within the existing pool of qualified education professionals in the Local Government Education Authorities; and
• Continued provision of support measures aimed at improving teachers’ productivity and job satisfaction.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The recruitment exercise that has culminated in today’s event was deliberately designed to be transparent, merit-based and inclusive. I constituted a special committee to oversee the process and ensure that every eligible indigene of Katsina State had an equal opportunity to participate.

For the first time in the history of our State, teacher recruitment was conducted based on the actual staffing needs of individual schools and subject requirements. Vacancies were identified according to specific educational demands, ensuring that qualified teachers are deployed where they are most needed.

I wish to commend the committee members for their professionalism, dedication, patriotism and commitment to fairness throughout this exercise. Your efforts have strengthened public confidence in government processes and demonstrated our collective commitment to excellence.

To our newly recruited teachers, I congratulate each and every one of you on your successful appointment. Your selection is both an honour and a responsibility. You are joining the service at a critical period in the history of our State, when education has been placed at the centre of our development strategy.

I therefore urge you to discharge your duties with diligence, professionalism and integrity. You are expected to serve as mentors, role models and nation builders who will shape the minds and character of the future leaders of Katsina State.

I assure you that this administration will continue to implement policies and programmes aimed at improving the welfare of workers, particularly teachers. However, while government remains committed to rewarding dedication and excellence, it will not condone indiscipline, negligence or acts inconsistent with the values and ethics of the Public Service.

Accordingly, I hereby direct the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education to work closely with the Centre for Teacher Development and Training and the Recruitment Committee to organise a comprehensive induction programme for all newly recruited teachers. The programme should adequately acquaint them with the ethics of the teaching profession, the rules of the service and modern teaching methodologies necessary to deliver quality education in our schools.

As I conclude, I once again congratulate the 2,158 newly recruited teachers and commend all stakeholders who contributed to the success of this exercise. Together, we are laying a solid foundation for a brighter future and building a more educated, prosperous and resilient Katsina State.

May Almighty Allah continue to guide our efforts and bless Katsina State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you all.

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.