By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has hailed Yobe State as a shining example in the advancement of foundational education, describing it as a role model for other states in the country.
Dr. Alausa made the remarks on Thursday while hosting Nafisa Garba, Rukayya Mohammed Fema, and Khadija Kashim — the trio of Yobe girls who emerged world champions at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Competition in London, United Kingdom.
According to a statement signed by Mamman Mohammed, Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni, the Minister praised the state government’s commitment to education, noting that the girls’ victory brought pride not just to Yobe but to Nigeria at large.
“Yobe State has prioritized foundational education to fast-track development, and this international achievement is a clear testimony of its impact,” Dr. Alausa said, while also assuring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains firmly committed to human capital development through education.
He presented personal tokens of support to the girls in recognition of their outstanding performance.
Speaking at the event, Yobe Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Abba Idris, described the victory as a celebration of resilience and Governor Buni’s uncommon commitment to education.
Highlighting the administration’s achievements, Prof. Idris disclosed that the state had reconstructed over 300 insurgency-ravaged schools, built 15 mega and model schools, eight girls’ senior secondary schools, 627 new classrooms, 119 staff quarters, and procured more than 85,000 classroom furniture sets. He added that over 5,000 teachers were employed and nearly 9,500 trained to strengthen the sector.
The government, he said, has also invested massively in school feeding, scholarships, security, and infrastructure, with over ₦3 billion spent on WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, NBAIS, and BECE examination fees this year alone, ensuring that no Yobe student is left behind.
“Today, we are not just celebrating the victory of three girls in London; we are celebrating the victory of a people who believe in the power of education as the key to a prosperous future,” Prof. Idris stated.
With these strides, Yobe continues to stand tall as a beacon of educational reform in Nigeria.
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