Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, has called for collective, bold and decisive action to address the worsening crisis of inequitable access to quality basic education in the north, warning that the future of the region is at risk if urgent steps are not taken.
Gov. Yahaya made the call while delivering an address at the 12th annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture on Leadership and Good Governance, held in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The lecture had the theme: “Equitable access to quality basic education in Northern Nigeria – A time for real action.”
Describing the theme as timely and in line with the enduring legacy of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the governor said that education remains the most critical pillar for unity, development, and prosperity in the north and the country as a whole.
He noted that the lecture took place shortly after the nation marked the 60th anniversary of the January 15, 1966 coup, which claimed the lives of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and other national leaders.
Gov. Yahaya asserted that the most meaningful way to honour their memory is through purposeful action rooted in good governance and inclusive development.
The governor expressed concern over the alarming education statistics, disclosing that Nigeria has more than 18 million out-of-school children, with approximately 70 percent of them located in the north.
He added that the literacy rate in some Northern states remains below 30 percent, while girl-child enrolment and basic literacy and numeracy outcomes are still disturbingly low.
Gov. Yahaya stressed that education must remain a top priority for northern leaders, noting that governors in the region have intensified collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), development partners, and donor agencies to expand access, improve infrastructure, and strengthen teacher capacity.
The NSGF chairman also highlighted the establishment of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund as a critical intervention to tackle insecurity, which he described as the greatest threat to education in the region.
The fund, he explained, is designed to provide sustainable financing for coordinated security efforts to safeguard schools and learning environments.
Gov. Yahaya further revealed that the forum, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education, has launched initiatives such as the Nigeria Education Forum 2025 and state-level workshops on foundational learning aimed at improving early-grade literacy and numeracy and returning millions of children to school.
Speaking on developments in Gombe State, the governor outlined sweeping reforms undertaken by his administration, including the declaration of a state of emergency on education, the establishment of a high-level task force on basic education revitalisation, and the rollout of a N13.5 billion school improvement grant to upgrade facilities in 442 secondary schools.
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He said the state has enrolled about 450,000 out-of-school children between 2019 and 2025, expanded access to higher education through new university campuses, rebuilt special needs schools, paid scholarships, and covered examination fees for secondary school students.
Gov. Yahaya emphasised that addressing the education crisis in the north requires the collective effort of all stakeholders, including parents, communities, traditional and religious leaders, the private sector, and civil society organisations.
He commended the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) for sustaining the annual lecture series.
The governor also congratulated recipients of the 2026 Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Awards, describing them as worthy ambassadors of the values of integrity, service, and excellence exemplified by the Sardauna.
