The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has described Yobe State as a role model in the development and promotion of foundational education in Nigeria.

Dr. Alausa made this declaration when he hosted Nafisa Garba, Rukayya Mohammed Fema, and Khadija Kashim, the outstanding winners of the 2025 TeenEagle Global Competition held in London, United Kingdom.

Speaking at the event, the Minister commended Yobe State’s commitment to education, noting that the state government’s policies and investments in foundational learning have laid a strong framework for academic excellence.

“Yobe State government has prioritized foundational education to fast-track the development of education in the state,” Dr. Alausa stated.

The Minister further emphasized that Yobe’s triumph at the global competition is not just a win for the state but a source of pride for Nigeria as a whole. He praised the collaborative efforts of the state government, parents, and teachers whose support helped the students excel.

Dr. Alausa also reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering belief in human capital development, assuring that the administration views education as the bedrock for Nigeria’s prosperous future. To encourage the champions, the Minister presented them with personal tokens of support.

A Victory for Education and Resilience

The celebration also drew remarks from the Yobe State Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Abba Idris, who described the achievement as:

“A victory of the people’s resilience, and a victory of an uncommon commitment of a Governor who believes in the power of education as a key to a prosperous future of his people and the state.”

Prof. Idris highlighted sweeping reforms and investments under Governor Mai Mala Buni’s administration that have transformed the education sector, particularly at the foundational level.

Key Achievements in Yobe State Education

• Reconstruction of Schools: About 300 schools destroyed by insurgency rebuilt, alongside the establishment of 15 Mega/Model Schools and 8 new Government Girls Senior Secondary Schools.

• Infrastructure Development:

  • 627 new classrooms constructed and 448 renovated.

  • 119 staff quarters built.

  • 85,550 classroom furniture sets and 2,200 teachers’ furniture procured.

  • 178 toilet blocks and 35 solar-powered boreholes provided.

  • 61 schools fenced to enhance security.

• Human Resources:

  • Over 5,000 new teachers employed and 9,452 trained.

• School Feeding Programme: More than N4 billion spent on feeding boarding students, boosting enrolment and reducing absenteeism.

• Exam Support: Consistent payment of WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, NBAIS, and BECE fees for public school candidates — with over N3 billion paid this year alone.

• Scholarships: Over N2.2 billion invested to sponsor 890 students at the Nigeria Tulip International College, including the celebrated TeenEagle champions.

• Energy & Facilities: N2.3 billion spent to provide solar-powered electricity in 72 secondary schools.

• Renovations & Fencing: N1.923 billion for rehabilitation of major secondary schools and N1.1 billion for perimeter fencing.

• Support for Almajiri Schools: N750 million committed to rehabilitate 150 Almajiri schools.

Education as a Pathway to Prosperity

These investments, Prof. Idris stressed, are anchored on Governor Buni’s vision of education as the key to long-term development and prosperity for Yobe people.

The achievements of Nafisa, Rukayya, and Khadija stand as a testament to the impact of these bold investments, inspiring hope for a brighter educational future in Yobe State and Nigeria at large.

📌 Conclusion:
Yobe State’s commitment to rebuilding, reforming, and funding foundational education is not only empowering its youth but also setting a benchmark for other states across Nigeria. From global competition victories to classroom transformations, the state has shown that when government, educators, parents, and students work together, the results can be extraordinary.