Jigawa State Governor in Northwest Nigeria, Umar Namadi, has reiterated his administration’s commitment towards eliminating the menace of out-of-school children through a sustainable approach that combines government action, community participation and strategic partnerships.
The Governor gave the assurance while receiving the Country Director of Save the Children Nigeria, Mr. Duncan Harvey, and his delegation on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Dutse.
He applauded Save the Children for its decade-long collaboration with the state, describing the organisation as a dependable partner in advancing education, healthcare, nutrition and child protection.
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Namadi told the delegation that the achievements recorded under donor-supported programmes will not be abandoned, stressing that the state government had already developed plans to sustain and expand the interventions.
“The best way we can appreciate them is by ensuring that we sustain the gains that have been achieved. We will certainly sustain those gains.”
According to him, the partnership has strengthened the state’s institutions through knowledge transfer, technical support and capacity building, positioning Jigawa to continue the programmes independently.
“We will continue from where you stop. We sincerely appreciate everything you have done,” he stressed.
Governor Namadi said the challenge of out-of-school children requires coordinated action across all sectors rather than isolated interventions, noting that the issue has become a top priority for his administration.
He disclosed that the State Executive Council now regularly reviews progress on school enrolment with commissioners and heads of relevant agencies assigned specific responsibilities to ensure more children return to the classroom.
He explained that while government continues to provide learning materials and improve educational infrastructure, greater emphasis is being placed on changing societal attitudes through sustained community engagement.
Earlier, Save the Children Nigeria Country Director, Mr. Duncan Harvey, commended Jigawa government for fostering a productive partnership over the past 10 years, which he said had delivered measurable improvements in education, health, nutrition and humanitarian response.
Harvey noted that interventions under the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) Project and the European Union-supported Education and Youth Empowerment in Northwest Nigeria (EYEPIN) Project had expanded educational opportunities for thousands of vulnerable children in Babura, Gwaram, Kafin Hausa and Malam Madori Local Government Areas.
He said the programmes had provided accelerated learning, literacy and numeracy support, as well as pathways for children to transition into formal education.
Harvey urged government to institutionalise the successful interventions, continue supporting children entering formal schools and deepen collaboration with development partners to attract greater investment in the state’s education sector.
