The Katsina State Government, in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and UNESCO, officially launched the second phase of the Education and Youth Empowerment Project with the inaugural meeting of its State Programme Steering Committee (SPSC) on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. The initiative aims to significantly enhance the capacity and resilience of teachers across the state.
Presiding over the meeting, the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hajiya Zainab Musa Musawa, emphasized the government’s commitment to educational advancement. The five-year project (2024–2028), themed “Expand, Integrate, and Strengthen Systems (EISS) to Build Teachers’ Capacity and Resilience,” is designed to fortify the state’s education system through targeted support for its educators.
In her inaugural address, Commissioner Musawa expressed gratitude for the partnership, crediting the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, for his unwavering dedication to improving education. “The Katsina State government is ready to embrace all initiatives that promote education,” she stated, thanking the EU-UNESCO representatives and other stakeholders for their crucial support.
The project’s core objectives were outlined by the State Focal Person, Malam Kabir Dodo. The initiative will focus on reviewing and strengthening education policies, addressing teacher shortages, and improving working conditions. A key component of the project is the plan to train approximately 18,000 teachers in modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills to enhance student learning and development.
Magdalene Anene Maidoh, UNESCO Project Coordinator, further detailed the program’s goals, highlighting its focus on building stronger connections between teachers, students, and their communities. Maidoh stressed that the project is designed to be inclusive, with special attention given to teachers with special needs and the promotion of gender equity.
The meeting brought together key figures from the state’s education sector and international partners. Attendees included representatives from UNESCO, the EU Technical Assistance Team (TAT), the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and various teacher training institutions, all signaling a broad base of support for the transformative project.
