Jigawa Deepens Ties With Qatar On Economic And Humanitarian Services

Jigawa State recently celebrated the remarkable contributions of the Qatar Charity Foundation, an international organisation dedicated to supporting orphans, widows, and underprivileged communities across the state.

For years, the foundation has improved lives through empowerment by constructing hundreds of mosques, drilling thousands of boreholes, and providing other drinking water facilities.

The foundation constructed houses for orphans, provided scholarships and other educational support, and distributed food items during Ramadan and Eid celebrations, alongside other humanitarian interventions.

However, the foundation has indicated interest in supporting the state Tsangayawa education initiative, which is designed to address the old Almajiri education system and the challenge of out-of-school children in the state.

Since the inception of Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s administration, the foundation has significantly scaled up its support, recognising the state government’s commitment to enhancing citizens’ livelihoods and creating an enabling environment for development partners.

Governor Namadi’s administration has prioritised empowerment and economic growth as part of its 12-point agenda. It actively collaborates with other governments, public institutions, and private organisations willing to support the state in achieving its desired goals.

Initiatives such as skills training, job creation, and financial support for small businesses, including a ₦12 billion Bank of Industries fund for SMEs and a ₦3 billion agricultural loan for civil servants, have directly benefited over 300,000 people and stimulated economic growth in the state.

In agriculture, the mainstay of the state economy, government intervention appears to be unlimited; however, many others are directly empowered through their own businesses.

In a complementary effort, Qatar Charity Foundation, this July (2025), also distributed empowerment materials, including 20 passenger tricycles (Keke NAPEP), 20 cargo tricycles, and 20 high-efficiency grinding machines.

The foundation also donated 100 prepositioned tents to the Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to enhance disaster response, particularly during floods.

The distribution ceremony, held at the Dutse Government House, was led by the Qatari Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Ali Bin Ghanim Al-Hajri, and Sheikh Hamdi Abdou, country director of Qatar Charity.

The Jigawa State commissioner for power and renewable energy confirmed that beneficiaries were selected from all 27 local government areas.

Governor Namadi expressed profound gratitude to Qatar Charity and the Qatari government for their sustained support, recalling their January 2025 visit to commission a multipurpose community centre in Hadejia. The project included residential and educational facilities, a water scheme, and a mosque constructed by the Foundation for Orphans.

“These interventions align perfectly with our commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 to 6—eradicating poverty, ensuring food security, improving healthcare and education, promoting gender inclusion, and providing clean water and sanitation,” the governor stated.

In recognition of this partnership, the Jigawa State Executive Council approved naming key infrastructure after Qatari leaders:

1. Qatar Street– connecting Sani Abacha Way to Ibrahim Aliyu Bypass.
2. “Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Street”– from Yalwawa Junction to FUD Madobi Road.

3.“H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani Mega Tsangaya School” – Dutse.

The Qatari delegation commissioned the new roads and inspected the ongoing construction of the Mega Tsangaya School.

Looking ahead, Jigawa State seeks to expand its partnership with Qatar into economic cooperation, including potential collaborations with NIRSAL and the Qatar-Nigeria Business Council to boost investment, education, youth development, and research.

To further support beneficiaries, the state government approved an additional ₦50,000 grant per individual to aid business startups.

Recipients will sign agreements ensuring proper use of the equipment, which will be monitored by Qatar Charity and the Jigawa State Youth Empowerment and Employment Agency.

In his remarks, Ambassador Al-Hajri praised Governor Namadi’s achievements in education, agriculture, infrastructure, and social development.

“Jigawa stands out for its political stability, economic potential, and agricultural progress,” he said. “Your vision for a prosperous Jigawa is evident in its status as one of Nigeria’s most secure and thriving states,” the Qatar ambassador stated.

The event underscored the deepening ties between Jigawa State and Qatar, marking another milestone in their shared commitment to humanitarian services and sustainable development.