Education has become a key area of focus for the Governor Nasir Idris administration in Kebbi State. The government's approach to rebuilding the sector involves attention to the entire chain, from basic education to tertiary institutions. Interventions have covered classrooms, school furniture, teacher recruitment and training, and staff welfare to scholarships for students. Governor Idris' background as a teacher and former President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers appears to have influenced the priority given to the sector.
The impact of the administration's efforts is visible at the basic education level, where over N9 billion was committed to repositioning education within the first eight months. Interventions include construction of classrooms, provision of motorised boreholes and hand pumps, toilets, furniture, renovation of dilapidated classrooms, textbooks, and writing materials. These investments aim to create a conducive learning environment, addressing issues that determine whether children can access functional schools.
The State Universal Basic Education Board spent over N8.17 billion between June 2023 and May 2024 on construction, renovation, procurement, furnishing, and other infrastructure across schools. Three Junior Secondary/Vocational Schools were commissioned in Birnin Kebbi, Bagudo, and Ngaski. Emphasis on Junior Secondary and vocational education is crucial as it is the stage where children develop academic and practical skills that determine their future livelihoods.
The administration has also sought to improve access for out-of-school children by constructing six mega schools. Other interventions aim to expand the capacity of existing schools. Recognizing the need for competent teachers, 2,400 primary school teachers commenced training in January 2024 under a state government programme. The Governor pledged attention to teachers, and 2,000 new teachers were recruited in 2025 to address manpower shortages.
The recruitment exercise attracted 18,000 applications, with 4,000 candidates screened. Graduates, HND holders, postgraduate qualification holders, and NCE holders formed part of the pool from which the recruits were selected. The administration also announced plans to establish two teachers' training colleges to strengthen teaching quality and methodology.
To keep children in school, the administration has implemented interventions for students and scholarship beneficiaries. In 2024, Governor Idris approved N309.58 million for foreign scholarship obligations covering 63 students in India and 23 in Egypt. The state government also reported paying local scholarships to students studying in 36 tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
By 2025, the administration had spent about ₦2.7 billion on tuition fees for Kebbi students studying within Nigeria and abroad. Over ₦4 billion in outstanding scholarships, tuition fees, and related expenses had also been cleared. At the tertiary level, the Kebbi State Government approved and released N172 million for the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools.
Key points
- The administration has committed over N9 billion to repositioning education in Kebbi State.
- Governor Idris' background as a teacher and former President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers has influenced the priority given to the education sector.
- The administration has spent about ₦2.7 billion on tuition fees for Kebbi students studying within Nigeria and abroad.
