The Executive Chairman of Gwiwa Local Government Council, Hon. Muhammad Abubakar Zakari, CNA (Sarkin Yaki), has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to expanding access to quality education with the official flag-off of the 2026 Batch A Tuition Fees and Accommodation Cost Disbursement/Reimbursement under the Sarkin Yaki Educational Development Initiative.
Speaking during the ceremony held at the Gwiwa Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Headquarters on Wednesday, the Chairman described education as the most strategic investment for sustainable development and human capital growth, stressing that no deserving child in Gwiwa should be denied higher education because of financial hardship.
Hon. Zakari disclosed that his administration approved the sum of ₦31,285,500 for the payment and reimbursement of tuition fees and accommodation costs for 281 students drawn from 36 public tertiary institutions across Nigeria. He added that students from five institutions would also benefit from accommodation support under the programme.
The Chairman explained that, in addition to tuition assistance, the Local Government continues to provide monthly stipends of ₦30,000 to medical and law students, ₦20,000 to university students, and ₦15,000/₦10,000 to students attending colleges of education and polytechnics, easing the financial burden on students and their families.
According to him, one of the administration’s greatest achievements has been increasing the number of students from Gwiwa enrolled in tertiary institutions from fewer than 250 to over 681 in less than two years. He described the development as a major milestone that reflects renewed hope for hundreds of families and a brighter future for the youth of the Local Government.
He noted that Gwiwa now has students studying Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Law, Nursing, Engineering, Accounting, Education, Agriculture, Computer Science and several other professional courses in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.
Hon. Zakari further revealed that the initiative has restored hope to indigent families, reduced the financial burden on parents, encouraged more secondary school students to pursue higher education and contributed significantly to reducing the number of out-of-school children within the Local Government.
The Chairman assured beneficiaries and residents that the scholarship programme would continue to be implemented with transparency, accountability and fairness, noting that all beneficiaries underwent a rigorous verification process before being selected.
He urged the students to remain disciplined, hardworking and focused on academic excellence while serving as worthy ambassadors of Gwiwa Local Government wherever they study.
Hon. Zakari also appreciated Governor Mallam Umar Namadi, FCA, for his continued commitment to education and human capital development in Jigawa State, saying the Governor’s leadership has inspired the Local Government’s investment in the education sector.
The Chairman called on parents, traditional institutions, community leaders and development partners to continue supporting the initiative, emphasizing that his administration remains committed to building a knowledge-driven society where education serves as the foundation for economic prosperity, innovation and sustainable development.
He thereafter formally flagged off the 2026 Batch A Tuition Fees and Accommodation Cost Disbursement/Reimbursement under the Sarkin Yaki Educational Development Initiative and congratulated all beneficiaries, praying for their continued academic excellence and success.
