Yobe, Islamic Bank Set 2027 Take-off For SMART Education Project

Yobe State government and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) have concluded initial preparations for implementing the SMART Education Project, which is expected to commence in 2027 in Yobe, Jigawa and Niger States.

The project aims to improve the quality of education, expand digital infrastructure, construct new schools and address the challenge of out-of-school children.

Governor Mai Mala Buni stated this when he received a delegation of the Islamic Development Bank at the Government House, Damaturu, as part of the bank’s preparatory mission for the project.

Governor Buni, who was represented by his deputy, Idi Barde Gubana, said the intervention would complement his administration’s efforts to rebuild the education sector, which suffered extensive destruction during the Boko Haram insurgency, resulting in the destruction of schools and displacement of thousands of children.

He said the state government had reconstructed over 4,600 schools in rural and insurgency-affected communities and recruited over 4,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel to strengthen basic and secondary education.

The governor added that his administration had established model and mega schools, constructed classrooms, laboratories, ICT centres and hostels, and provided teaching and learning materials to improve the learning environment.
He assured the delegation that the state government would provide the necessary support to ensure effective implementation, accountability and timely delivery of the project.

Buni also emphasised the need to integrate Western and Islamic education, stressing that both were essential to human capital development. He called for greater investment in vocational training and skills acquisition to address youth unemployment and promote self-reliance.

Earlier, the leader of the IsDB delegation, Mr Imtiaz Alam, commended the state government for its preparedness and described the project team’s commitment as impressive.

Alam explained that the visit was part of the project’s preparatory mission ahead of the appraisal stage, during which implementation arrangements, partnerships and responsibilities would be finalised.

He said the project would be implemented in three states, namely Yobe, Jigawa and Niger, with coordination involving the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The delegation leader expressed optimism that the project would commence within the next year, commending the state government and other stakeholders for their cooperation.

The state government said technical sessions covering procurement arrangements and other implementation activities had commenced upon the delegation’s arrival.