Zamfara State’s education sector has witnessed a series of initiatives across successive administrations, from the tenure of former Governor Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle to the current government under Governor Dauda Lawal. Press statements and official updates reflect efforts to address systemic challenges, including infrastructural deficits, teacher welfare, and student access to education.
During his term as governor from 2019 to 2023, Dr. Matawalle implemented reforms aimed at improving the quality of education in the state. According to the Zamfara Education Forum (ZEF), the former governor was commended for constructing 900 classrooms and renovating 375 existing ones under the 2017/2018 intervention grant. Additionally, three Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) offices were rehabilitated. The Forum noted these projects were executed despite limited federal allocations.
A separate statement outlined further achievements of Dr. Matawalle’s administration, including a 19% budgetary allocation to education in 2020, the highest in Zamfara’s history and the clearance of promotion backlogs for 6,709 primary school teachers. His government also reinstated 556 educators and awarded over 200 international scholarships to students. Other efforts included the sponsorship of female teachers in technical and entrepreneurial education.
Since assuming office in 2023, Governor Dauda Lawal has declared a state of emergency in education, initiating large-scale reforms to revamp the sector. The Zamfara State Government has undertaken the renovation of over 500 schools, the recruitment and retraining of public school teachers, and the settlement of outstanding debts to national examination bodies.
On 24 May 2025, the government announced the full payment of ₦1.4 billion owed to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) from 2018 to 2022 and ₦1.02 billion owed to the National Examination Council (NECO) from 2014 to 2018. The backlog had led to the withholding of results and prevented public school students from sitting for the 2023 WAEC exams. Payment for the 2024 examinations has been completed.
In a bid to improve school infrastructure, the administration commissioned the renovated Government Girls Arabic School (GGAS) in Gusau. The project, completed within 13 months, involved two administrative blocks, 20 Racca-style classrooms, laboratories, an ICT centre, accommodation facilities, and sanitation infrastructure — totaling 94 completed structures.
At the Zamfara State College of Arts and Sciences (ZACAS), Gusau, renovations included academic blocks, libraries, laboratories, hostels, and communication studios. The Mass Communication Studio, Yusuf Anka Auditorium, and the 200-seat Sardauna Hall were all upgraded for academic and social use.
In meetings with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, acknowledged the ongoing efforts in the state. She listed achievements such as the return of teachers from industrial action, the launch of a campaign to reintegrate out-of-school children, school restoration projects, and the provision of learning materials to over 250 public schools.
However, structural challenges persist. Zamfara continues to grapple with insecurity, particularly in rural areas, which disrupts schooling and contributes to the high number of out-of-school children. While teacher recruitment is ongoing, shortages remain, especially in nomadic schools. Some renovated schools still face infrastructure gaps.
Zamfara State is currently implementing development partnerships, including a digital skills training agreement with Oracle and a technical training programme led by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). These efforts aim to expand education and youth empowerment initiatives.
Zamfara’s education sector remains a critical priority as the state government continues to implement reforms in response to longstanding and emerging challenges.
