Sokoto State in north-west Nigeria is pushing forward with an ambitious plan to revitalise its schools, committing ₦8.3 billion to renovations and new facilities aimed at transforming the learning environment for thousands of children.
According to the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmed Ala, the initiative covers both basic and secondary institutions, with major works at flagship schools already 90 per cent complete. “Things are moving in the right direction because there is determination from both myself and the governor to change the course of history,” he told reporters in Abuja.
A key component of the reforms falls under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE). The scheme targets 240 secondary schools with gender-sensitive infrastructure such as separate toilets and clean water points—designed to remove barriers that often discourage girls from attending school.
Beyond infrastructure, the state is investing in its teachers. More than 2,500 educators have undergone retraining to bridge gaps in knowledge and teaching skills. “We are radically tackling teacher competence because without strong teachers, classrooms cannot thrive,” Ala noted.
The government is also working with development partners, including UNICEF, to boost access to learning materials. One partner foundation is expected to set up 10 libraries across selected schools to rekindle students’ interest in reading.
For Sokoto’s leadership, the effort represents more than construction—it is a bid to strengthen human capital and secure the future of its young population.
