Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Friday presented appointment letters to 2,158 newly recruited teachers, saying the exercise would improve the quality of education and address teacher shortages across the state.
The teachers were recruited into the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board following what the government described as a transparent, merit-based process.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony in Katsina, Radda said the recruitment was another milestone in his administration’s efforts to reposition the education sector through sustained investment in human capital.
“Today marks another important milestone in our administration’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding and repositioning the education sector in Katsina State,” the governor said.
“It reflects our determination to fulfil the promise of our development agenda by investing in our people and equipping our young generation with quality education.”
He described education as the most effective tool for societal transformation, stressing that investment in the sector was an investment in the future of the state.
Radda recalled that his administration recruited and deployed 7,323 teachers in 2023 and employed over 1,800 healthcare workers earlier this year.
According to him, the latest recruitment would further strengthen human capital development and ensure every child has access to quality education.
The governor said his administration had also constructed more than 49 junior and senior secondary schools, established three Special Smart Schools and rehabilitated over 340 primary schools.
He added that the government had trained over 25,000 teachers, introduced a N30,000 rural teachers’ allowance, distributed 18,000 digital tablets, procured electronic motorcycles for teachers serving hard-to-reach communities and established the Centre for Teacher Development and Training.
Radda said the exercise was the first in the state’s history to recruit teachers based on the staffing needs of individual schools and subject specialisations.
“The recruitment exercise was deliberately designed to be transparent, merit-based and inclusive. For the first time in the history of our state, teacher recruitment was conducted based on the actual staffing needs of individual schools and subject requirements,” he said.
He urged the new teachers to justify the confidence reposed in them through professionalism, dedication and integrity.
“Your selection is both an honour and a responsibility. You are expected to serve as mentors, role models and nation builders who will shape the minds and character of the future leaders of Katsina State,” the governor added.
Radda also directed the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education to work with the Centre for Teacher Development and Training to organise a comprehensive induction programme for the newly recruited teachers.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Yusuf Suleiman Jibia, said the recruitment reflected the administration’s commitment to transparency and educational development.
He disclosed that 64,598 candidates applied for the exercise, out of which 8,889 were shortlisted after screening. According to him, 3,683 applicants passed the Computer-Based Test and advanced to the oral interview stage before 2,158 candidates were eventually selected.
“The recruitment was entirely merit-based. No public office holder interfered in the process, while deployment was based on the staffing requirements of schools and subject specialisation,” Jibia said.
He added that the Radda administration had recruited more than 9,000 teachers since assuming office in 2023, describing it as the largest teacher recruitment exercise since the creation of Katsina State.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr Kabir Magaji, said the recruitment would improve teacher-pupil ratios and learning outcomes across the state.
“The recruitment of 2,158 competent teachers will improve teacher-pupil ratios, enhance classroom instruction and contribute significantly to raising educational standards across Katsina State,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the newly recruited teachers, Ashiru Nura said he secured the appointment on merit without any political influence.
“I had no connection with anybody in government before getting this appointment. We appreciate the governor for giving us this opportunity and we assure him that we will justify the confidence reposed in us,” Nura said.
He urged his colleagues to remain committed, transparent and dedicated to improving education in the state.
