UBEC Delivers 4,000 Classrooms to Kano, Backs Recruitment of 16,000 Teachers

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has strengthened basic education in Kano State with the delivery of nearly 4,000 classrooms, while commending the state government for recruiting more than 16,000 teachers to improve learning outcomes.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, made this known during an official visit to Kano alongside the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

During the visit, the delegation inspected UBEC-funded education projects and witnessed the presentation of appointment letters to the newly recruited teachers.

Dr. Garba explained that the construction of thousands of classrooms is aimed at expanding access to quality basic education by providing safer and more conducive learning environments for pupils. She noted that improved infrastructure has the potential to increase school enrolment, reduce dropout rates, and enhance academic performance.

However, she emphasized that modern classrooms alone cannot transform education without qualified teachers.

Describing Kano State’s recruitment of over 16,000 teachers as one of the largest investments in basic education in Nigeria, Garba said the exercise would help address the shortage of teachers, particularly in rural and underserved communities, while improving the quality of teaching across the state.

She noted that Nigeria continues to experience a significant shortage of teachers, making sustained investment in the education workforce essential for achieving better learning outcomes.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to education under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Garba said every Nigerian child deserves access to quality education regardless of location.

“The directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is clear. No child should be left behind. Every Nigerian child deserves access to quality education. Even where classrooms exist, without teachers, children cannot learn. That is why investments in teachers are investments in the future of our nation,” she said.

According to the UBEC Executive Secretary, every appointment letter issued to the newly recruited teachers represents renewed hope for thousands of pupils whose future depends on access to quality teaching.

She also highlighted the global teacher shortage, noting that UNESCO estimates more than 44 million additional teachers are needed worldwide. She said Kano State’s recruitment initiative demonstrates a practical response to this challenge and positions the state among governments taking concrete steps to strengthen education.

Garba commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for prioritizing education and praised the leadership of the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, for driving reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s education sector.

She stressed that collaboration between the Federal Government, UBEC, and state governments remains vital to achieving inclusive, equitable, and quality education nationwide.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Malam Yusuf Kabir, disclosed that the teacher recruitment exercise followed a transparent and merit-based process. He explained that the implementation of the Kano State Teacher Policy, including aptitude tests and rigorous assessments, ensured that only qualified candidates were employed.

Kabir emphasized that recruitment alone is not enough, noting that effective deployment, continuous training, supervision, mentoring, and performance evaluation are necessary to improve classroom learning.

He assured that the newly recruited teachers would be posted to schools where they are most needed and that robust monitoring mechanisms would be put in place to maintain high teaching standards.

The SUBEB chairman also called on communities, traditional institutions, development partners, and the private sector to support government efforts, stressing that sustainable improvements in education require collective responsibility.

UBEC reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with state governments across Nigeria to expand access to quality basic education through continued investments in school infrastructure, teacher development, and learner-focused interventions.