A recent event in an open air crusade at Kebbi State has stirred national conversation around Nigeria’s governance priorities as Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, announced a donation of N30 million to Dunamis International Gospel Centre, led by Pastor Paul Enenche. The announcement, which was made publicly, was immediately turned down by the church leader, raising eyebrows and igniting critical questions on resource allocation—especially in a state with one of the highest out-of-school children rates in the country.
The Nigeria Education News team followed up on the development and found that while acts of religious generosity may appear noble, they often contrast starkly with neglected essentials, particularly in the education sector. According to verified statistics, Kebbi State has a staggering 67.6% of its children aged 6 to 15 out of school, placing it among the three worst-affected states in Nigeria.
Education experts and civil society groups are concerned that such financial resources could make more impact if redirected towards basic education needs. “N30 million can build and equip at least two standard classroom blocks in rural Kebbi, where many pupils still learn under trees,” said a member of a grassroots education NGO.
A walk through local communities in Jega, Argungu, and Yauri reveals primary schools with cracked walls, broken desks, and an acute shortage of teachers. Despite these conditions, the state government has made few publicized efforts to resolve infrastructural deficits or increase budgetary allocation to education beyond recurring expenditure.
Even though Kebbi has partnered with development bodies like UNICEF and the World Bank under the AGILE programme (Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment), the impact remains largely underwhelming in rural areas. According to UNICEF Nigeria, over one million children in Kebbi lack access to basic education.
The AGILE programme, which aims to improve enrolment and retention for adolescent girls, has recorded isolated successes, especially in urban areas. But a systemic shift remains far-fetched. Stakeholders argue that the N30 million announced donation, if invested in AGILE directly, could boost existing frameworks significantly.
Moreover, education is often intertwined with issues of poverty, security, and early marriage in the north-western region. Without urgent intervention, children left behind may continue to swell the ranks of the underserved, unskilled, and unemployed population—fuelling cycles of poverty and insecurity.
In declining the donation, Pastor Paul Enenche subtly emphasized the role of government in addressing pressing social needs. “Let us use our influence to transform our communities,” he reportedly stated—an expression that resonated with many Nigerians who are weary of cosmetic governance.
The rejection of the donation has drawn a symbolic line between charity and responsibility. Critics argue that while faith-based support remains valuable, it must not be a substitute for deliberate public policy directed at foundational sectors like education.
Calls are now growing louder for transparency in education funding and more deliberate government efforts in addressing school access, teacher quality, and infrastructure across states like Kebbi. The national mood is clear: Nigeria must prioritize education if it intends to secure a prosperous and equitable future.
The Kebbi Governor’s gesture—meant as goodwill—has instead amplified an ongoing national reflection: Nigeria’s future does not lie in donations to pulpits, but in investments that uplift classrooms.
