State Approves ₦6.12bn for Nine UBEC Model Schools

The Sokoto State Government has approved ₦6.12 billion for the construction of nine Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) prototype schools across the state’s three senatorial districts.

The government also approved additional funding for the rehabilitation and construction of mosques, as well as the development of Islamic educational institutions across the state.

The approvals were among the major decisions reached at Wednesday’s State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Government House in Sokoto.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Bashir Achida, said the nine UBEC prototype schools would be distributed equally among the three senatorial districts, with each district getting three schools.

He explained that the initiative was designed to expand access to quality basic education, improve learning conditions and provide modern facilities for pupils, particularly in communities with inadequate school infrastructure.

Achida said the investment aligned with Governor Aliyu’s commitment to transforming the education sector under his administration’s Nine-Point SMART Agenda.

On religious infrastructure, the council approved ₦221,548,705.25 for the rehabilitation of Achida Central Juma’at Mosque and ₦154,941,290 for the rehabilitation of Sabon Birni Central Juma’at Mosque.

It also approved ₦98,242,007.50 for the construction of five daily prayer mosques in the Kwamberu area, while ₦285,125,650.92 was earmarked for the rehabilitation of Tureta Central Juma’at Mosque in Tureta Local Government Area.

Similarly, the rehabilitation of Kuppa Juma’at Mosque in the Gidan Sauro area received an approval of ₦230,660,473.19.

In the area of Islamic education, the council approved ₦166,982,489 for the construction of classrooms and sanitation facilities at Raddul Azzam Quranic School in Achida.

Another ₦297,655,995.50 was approved for the construction of an Islamic school in the Sabon Garin Tudun Wada area of Sokoto South Local Government Area.

The commissioner further disclosed that ₦53,937,500 had been approved for the provision of carpets at Gada Central Juma’at Mosque to improve facilities for congregational prayers.

Achida said the approvals demonstrated the administration’s commitment to addressing needs in critical sectors, particularly basic education, religious development and community infrastructure.

Upon completion, the projects are expected to increase access to educational facilities, improve existing religious institutions and provide additional infrastructure for learning and worship across the state’s three senatorial districts.