Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has flagged off the distribution of appointment letters to 2,158 newly recruited teachers, saying the merit-based recruitment exercise will strengthen the quality of education and address teacher shortages across schools in the state.
Speaking at the ceremony in Katsina on Friday, the governor described the recruitment as another milestone in his administration’s drive to reposition the education sector through sustained investment in human capital.
Radda said the newly employed teachers would serve in schools under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), following what he described as a transparent and rigorous recruitment process based on the staffing needs of individual schools and subject specialisations.
“Today marks another important milestone in our administration’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding and repositioning the education sector in Katsina State. It reflects our determination to fulfil the promise of our development agenda by investing in our people and equipping our young generation with quality education,” the governor said.
He noted that education remains the most effective tool for societal transformation and described investment in the sector as an investment in the future of Katsina State.
Governor Radda recalled that his administration recruited and deployed 7,323 teachers in 2023 and recently employed more than 1,800 healthcare workers, saying the latest recruitment further demonstrates the government’s commitment to human capital development.
The governor highlighted several interventions undertaken by his administration in the education sector, including the construction of more than 49 junior and senior secondary schools, the establishment of three Special Smart Schools, rehabilitation of over 340 primary schools, teacher training programmes, digital learning initiatives and the payment of public examination fees.
He added that more than 25,000 teachers had received professional training, while the government introduced a ₦30,000 rural teachers’ allowance, distributed 18,000 digital tablets to teachers, procured electric motorcycles for those serving in hard-to-reach communities and established a Centre for Teacher Development and Training.
According to the governor, the recruitment exercise was the first in the state’s history to be conducted strictly according to the staffing requirements of individual schools and subject needs.
“The recruitment exercise was deliberately designed to be transparent, merit-based and inclusive. For the first time in the history of our state, teacher recruitment was conducted based on the actual staffing needs of individual schools and subject requirements,” he said.
He urged the successful applicants to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating dedication, professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
“Your selection is both an honour and a responsibility. You are expected to serve as mentors, role models and nation builders who will shape the minds and character of the future leaders of Katsina State,” Radda added.
The governor also directed the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education to collaborate with the Centre for Teacher Development and Training and the recruitment committee to organise a comprehensive induction programme for the newly recruited teachers.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Yusuf Suleiman Jibia, disclosed that 64,598 candidates applied for the recruitment exercise. He said 8,889 applicants were shortlisted after screening, 3,683 passed the Computer-Based Test and advanced to the interview stage, while 2,158 were eventually selected.
He said the process was conducted strictly on merit without interference from public office holders, adding that the Radda administration has recruited more than 9,000 teachers since 2023—the largest teacher recruitment exercise since the creation of Katsina State.
Also speaking, SUBEB Executive Chairman, Dr. Kabir Magaji, said the recruitment would improve teacher-pupil ratios, strengthen classroom instruction and raise educational standards across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the newly recruited teachers, Ashiru Nura said he secured the appointment without knowing anyone in government, describing the exercise as transparent and fair.
He thanked Governor Radda for creating the opportunity and assured that the new teachers would serve diligently while urging his colleagues to uphold professionalism, commitment and integrity in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, members of the State Executive Council and other senior government officials and stakeholders in the education sector.
