Governor Agbu Kefas’s administration is facing intense scrutiny over its flagship “Free Education” policy, as a wave of critical reports, photographic evidence, and eyewitness testimonies paint a grim picture of dilapidated schools, collapsing infrastructure, and unfulfilled promises. While the government highlights its N3 billion payment for state-sponsored examinations, critics and citizens allege the policy is a facade masking deep-seated neglect across Taraba State.
The controversy escalated on September 3, 2025, when journalist Yahuza Bawage published distressing photos of a government-owned primary school in Zandi, Zing Local Government Area. The images depicted crumbling structures and classrooms in ruins. “The Free Education scheme… didn’t live up to the expectations of Tarabans,” Bawage wrote. “It’s why pupils in this school… couldn’t dream of becoming tomorrow’s leaders like their peers in other parts of the country.”
Adding to the criticism, political activist Omoyele Sowore issued a scathing assessment on the same day, labeling the governor’s promises a failure. Citing a science school in Donga LGA, located just 30-40 minutes from the governor’s hometown of Wukari, Sowore claimed students were “left to rot in dilapidated buildings with no hope for quality education.”
Sowore’s critique extended beyond education, pointing to a statewide infrastructure crisis. He cited the “virtually impassable” road to Karim Lamido LGA, the deteriorating Wukari-Abuja and Kurmi LGA roads, and an abandoned international route to Cameroon. He further accused the administration of misplaced priorities, highlighting that the road to the governor’s personal residence in Wukari was fully tarred and fitted with solar lights, while immediate neighbors allegedly contend with “erosion, darkness, and neglect.”
Official Rebuttal and Public Counterclaims
The Taraba State Government swiftly responded through the Commissioner for Commerce, Trade, and Industry, Hon. Peter George, who dismissed Sowore’s claims as a “baseless outburst” and “social media showmanship.”
In a rejoinder, George defended the administration, stating, “Governor Kefas has, within a short span, brought education to every doorstep in Taraba by declaring free and compulsory schooling, revitalized agriculture, and strengthened security… Taraba people know and feel the difference Governor Kefas is making.” He concluded, “Governor Kefas is building, while Sowore is wailing.”
However, this official position was immediately challenged by citizens. Responding directly to the commissioner’s statement, a resident named Eke Ifeanyi alleged, “The governor has done nothing to improve the state… Every street road in Jalingo is not accessible, not to talk of other roads connecting other local governments.” He cited the poor conditions of Lassandi Road in the state capital and the Kunini Road in Lau as examples.
On-the-Ground Realities Contradict Policy
The disparity between policy and reality was further detailed by a former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who recently completed his service in the state. Speaking to The Nigeria Education News on the condition of anonymity, he confirmed the existence of the free education policy but exposed its flawed implementation.
“The state is actually running Free Education from primary to tertiary level, but schools remain underfunded,” he reported. “In this 21st century, students are still sitting on the floor. Schools can’t afford to print exam questions.”
He provided a shocking example from the recent Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE): “The JSS3 students… had to tear their exercise books to write the exam. There was no provision of answer booklets from the state government. The management was informed not to collect a dime from the students, yet the schools were not given enough money.”
Budgetary Context and Regional Challenges
Data from the analytics firm Statisense shows that Taraba State allocated 16.24% of its 2025 budget to education, ranking it 13th among Nigeria’s 36 states. While this figure falls within the lower range of UNESCO’s recommended 15-20% allocation for public expenditure on education, the on-the-ground reports suggest a severe disconnect between budgetary allocation and effective implementation.
This issue is compounded by regional challenges. According to UNICEF, Northern Nigeria suffers from significant educational deprivation due to poverty, cultural norms, and a high number of out-of-school children. The problems in Taraba, including a shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of instructional materials are symptomatic of this wider crisis.
The convergence of these reports has ignited a call for urgent and transparent intervention from the state government to bridge the gap between policy pronouncements and the stark reality on the ground, in order to safeguard the future of Taraba’s next generation.
