Jigawa Distributes 30,000 Free School Uniforms, To Boost Girl-Child Education

Jigawa Distributes 30,000 Free School Uniforms, to Boost Girl-Child Education

By Hussaini Ibrahim Sulaiman

In a major push to promote girl-child education and improve school environments, the Jigawa State Government on Thursday flagged off the distribution of 30,000 free school uniforms to female students and a wide array of sports equipment to senior secondary schools across the state.

Governor Malam Umar Namadi launched the initiative at a ceremony held at the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jahun, describing the programme as a bold step in the state’s broader education development agenda, especially targeted at empowering girls.

“Today is yet another very important day for us as we launch the distribution of school uniforms to our students—especially our female students,” Governor Namadi said. “We are distributing about 30,000 pieces of school uniforms across the state. In addition to that, we are also distributing sporting materials to support extracurricular and physical activities in our schools.”

The Governor emphasized that the initiative reflects his administration’s long-standing policy of providing free education for girls from primary to university level, noting that educating girls remains one of the most powerful tools for societal transformation.

“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. When you educate a woman, you educate a nation,” Namadi said.

He underscored the central role women play in nurturing families and building communities, adding that investing in their education yields immeasurable benefits.

Recognizing the cultural and societal landscape of Jigawa, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting talented female students in pursuing medical education, a move he described as both strategic and transformational.

“These are deliberate efforts aimed at making girl-child education a cornerstone of our developmental agenda,” he added.

Governor Namadi also highlighted ongoing investments in technical and vocational education, revealing that billions of naira have been pumped into the construction of vocational workshops and the provision of tools for training in fields such as carpentry, welding, and building construction. He said these efforts are designed to equip youth with practical skills needed in today’s workforce.

“Education remains a critical pillar of our 12-point development agenda. Last year, 32% of the state budget was allocated to education. This year, we are maintaining a strong commitment with 26.7% of the total budget—the highest share across all sectors,” the Governor said.

One of the major milestones referenced during the event was the ₦67 billion Jigawa Unite Project, a five-year education reform programme launched in partnership with a UK-based institution. The initiative aims to integrate ICT into teaching, support continuous teacher training, and create a conducive learning environment.

He also mentioned the introduction of “Jigawa Compete,” a digital learning platform that equips teachers in tertiary institutions with ICT skills to deliver modern, tech-driven instruction. These reforms are further complemented by the expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to support industrial manpower development in the state.

“We will continue to invest in teacher development, learning infrastructure, and modern educational tools,” Namadi pledged.

Speaking at the event, the state’s Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Isah Yusuf Chamo, detailed the sports materials being distributed to senior secondary schools to encourage physical education and student wellness.

“As part of this initiative, the government has procured: 304 footballs, 70 basketballs, 228 volleyballs, 70 handballs, 30 badminton sets, 20 table tennis kits, 593 track suites, 738 jerseys, 96 athletic kits, and 774 whistles for sports training,” Chamo stated.

He also commended Governor Namadi’s consistent investment in the education sector, citing several recent interventions such as the sponsorship of 137 female students to the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, and support for over 18,000 students to sit for the recent JAMB examination.

Professor Chamo further hailed the administration’s Girls for Health (G4H) Programme, which has received over ₦100 million in funding to train female students in science subjects, provide study materials, and offer stipends to mentoring teachers.

Highlighting the administration’s track record in expanding access to education, the Commissioner revealed that 70% of recipients under the state’s foreign scholarship programme are female students, many of whom are currently studying MBBS and other medical courses in Cyprus and India.

Thursday’s event marks another significant step in Jigawa’s journey toward achieving inclusive, quality education, with stakeholders applauding the administration’s commitment to using education as a tool for empowerment and development.