The Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Nasiru Yahaya Daura, has urged the Honourable Commissioner Katsina State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman Jibia to deploy his wealth of experience toward transforming the Ministry.
Speaking when the Commissioner appeared before the Katsina State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriations to defend the Ministry’s proposed 2026 budget, the speaker encouraged him to introduce innovative policies and initiatives capable of strengthening the sector and improve learning outcomes across the State.
In his presentation, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman Jibia reaffirmed the State Government’s unwavering commitment to repositioning the education sector through strategic investments in infrastructure, teacher development, curriculum reform and expanded access to quality learning opportunities.
He highlighted the major priorities of the proposed 2026 budget, which include, completing and rehabilitating school infrastructure across the 34 LGAs, providing instructional materials and teaching aids to enhance learning outcomes;
Others according to him include recruiting, training, and strengthening the capacity of teachers under the TSB, as well as enhancing basic education programmes through SUBEB for improved service delivery;
The commissioner added that expanding non-formal and adult education initiatives under S.A.M.E to promote lifelong learning and deepening mathematics improvement efforts through innovative teaching and learning methods designed to reduce students’ fear of the subject are also part of the priorities.
The House Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Honourable Lawal H. Yaro of Musawa Constituency, commended the Ministry for its strong and coordinated representation.
Members of the committee engaged the commissioner and heads of parastatals in an interactive discussion, seeking clarifications on priority projects, budgetary provisions, and sustainability mechanisms.
In his response, the Honourable Commissioner assured the committee of the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources, reiterating the administration’s resolve to deliver measurable and lasting improvements in teaching and learning across the State.
The State Project Coordinator of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Dr. Mustapha Shehu, provided further clarifications and highlighted strategic ways forward in the areas of quality assurance, school census, data reliability, and overall project sustainability.
These include Strengthening Quality Assurance Mechanisms and Enhancing School Census and Data Management.
Responding to concerns raised by members of the Appropriations Committee, Dr. Shehu provided clarifications on project implementation timelines, funding structures, and sustainability strategies.
The budget defence session ended on a positive note, with the Committee pledging continued support to the Ministry in its mission to advance educational development in Katsina State.
The Honourable Commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya UmmulKhair Ahmed Bawa Faskari; Directors of the Ministry; and heads of agencies, parastatals, and project coordination units under the Ministry. These included the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mathematical Improvement Centre (MIC), Teachers’ Service Board (TSB), State Agency for Mass Education (S.A.M.E), Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), and the Transforming Education Sector at the State Level Project (TESS).
