Sokoto approves ₦6.12bn for nine UBEC model schools

By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto SOKOTO – 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 funds for the rehabilitation and construction of mosques and 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, 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 three schools allocated to each district.

He said the initiative was aimed at expanding access to quality basic education, improving the learning environment and providing modern facilities for pupils, particularly in communities requiring better school infrastructure. Achida said the investment was in line 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 and ₦285,125,650.92 for the rehabilitation of Tureta Central Juma’at Mosque in Tureta Local Government Area.

Similarly, ₦230,660,473.19 was approved for the rehabilitation of Kuppa Juma’at Mosque in the Gidan Sauro area. 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 Sabon Garin Tudun Wada area of Sokoto South Local Government Area.

The commissioner further disclosed that ₦53,937,500 was approved for the provision of carpets at Gada Central Juma’at Mosque to improve facilities for congregational prayers. Achida said the approvals reflected the administration’s commitment to interventions in critical sectors, particularly basic education, religious development and community infrastructure.

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