Category: News Room

The Bauchi State government is making efforts to empower startups and drive digital transformation for innovation and entrepreneurship.

At a stakeholders’ engagement and capacity-building workshop in Bauchi, the chief of staff, Government House Bauchi, Dr Aminu Hassan Gamawa, reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to create a thriving ecosystem where young innovators and businesses can flourish.

Represented by the permanent secretary, Yakubu Jibrin Abdullahi, Gamawa emphasised that the state’s vision is anchored on innovation, collaboration and sustainable development.

He noted that empowering young people through technology and enterprise remains a top priority.

The workshop, organised under the Innovation in Digital and Creative Enterprise (iDICE) programme in partnership with the State Bureau for Information, Communication Technology and Digital Economy, brought together key players in the startup space to exchange ideas and unlock new opportunities.

Valued at an impressive $618 million, the iDICE initiative is a flagship Federal Government programme aimed at boosting investment in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital and creative sectors which seeks to nurture talent, support emerging businesses and generate sustainable employment nationwide.

At the event, the state commissioner for Cooperatives and SMEs Development, Muhammad Sadiq, and the commissioner for Commerce, Investment and Industry, Muhammed Salees Gamawa, described the forum as a critical platform for innovation, partnerships and practical problem-solving.

Earlier, iDICE focal person, Ibrahim Tijjani, highlighted the programme’s focus on equipping young Nigerians – particularly those aged 15 to 35 – with the skills and resources needed to succeed in today’s digital economy.

The Bauchi State Ministry of Education has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Bauchi State Agency for Mass Education (BASAME) in promoting literacy and improving the lives of women at the grassroots level.

The Commissioner for Education, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, stated this during a familiarisation visit to the agency in Bauchi.

He commended the agency for its commitment to providing qualitative education and promoting skill acquisition among women, noting that such efforts were critical to community development.

The commissioner assured that the state government would continue to support the agency, including by recruiting additional permanent staff to enhance the effective implementation of its programmes across the state.

He also called on residents to take advantage of the agency’s various initiatives to acquire basic literacy and vocational skills.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of BASAME, Nasiru Muhammad, said the agency had recorded significant progress in increasing enrolment in primary and junior secondary schools, particularly in communities where literacy centres have been established.

He added that the agency had strengthened women and girls’ empowerment through income-generating activities and vocational training programmes.

Among other achievements, he highlighted the introduction of hairdressing skills acquisition at the Hajia Aisha Bala Muhammad Alternative High School for Girls, as well as the distribution of learning materials to students.

Nasiru, however, appealed to the government to recruit more staff and construct a permanent site for the agency in Bauchi to further enhance its operations.

The developments were contained in a press release issued by Dahiru Adamu, the agency’s Information Officer.

The Bauchi State Government has successfully evacuated 64 students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) back to the state. The operation follows increasing security concerns in Plateau State.

Hadiza Abdulkadir Kango, Higher Education and Regional Integration Commissioner, confirmed that the students arrived safely in Bauchi in the early hours of Friday.

Kango explained that she received a distress call from Mohammed Suleiman, the National Union of Bauchi State Students (NUBASS) President, regarding the situation. The students were reportedly trapped in their hostels due to the ongoing crisis.

“I heard about the situation of these students after Suleiman drew my attention to it. When he alerted me, I immediately took action, and the government responded swiftly, giving us full support and cooperation to rescue the students,” Kango said.

The commissioner stated that officials remained on the ground to ensure the students’ safe arrival before handing them over to their respective parents and guardians. She described the swift evacuation as a testament to the leadership style of Governor Bala Mohammed.

“When I heard from the students that this might be the first time UNIJOS students were evacuated during a major crisis in Plateau State, I felt proud,” Kango added. “The credit goes to our executive governor. It shows how much he cares for every citizen.”

Hadiza Abdulkadir Kango expressed gratitude that the operation was successful during her tenure. She advised the students to remain focused on their education and assured them of continued government support.

“The fact that they are students is what made us intervene quickly,” she said. She also commended the students for remaining responsible and avoiding involvement in the crisis, urging them to maintain such conduct as they resume their studies.

Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security institutions to safeguard lives and property across the state.

The governor, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters, Sulaiman Jibrin, gave the assurance at the 2025 Base Socio-Cultural Activities (BASA), a colourful event featuring cultural displays and games, held at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Bauchi.

Governor Mohammed commended security agencies in the state for sustaining strong inter-agency collaboration, noting that the synergy has translated into remarkable gains in maintaining peace and stability.

In his remarks, the Air Officer Commanding, Special Operations Command, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Idris, pledged that the Nigerian Air Force would continue to remain dependable in providing security for citizens and supporting national peace efforts.

Also speaking, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Anike, assured that the Air Force would deepen its support for retired officers, unveiling plans to provide veterans with health insurance and other welfare initiatives.

Anike, who was represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, spoke during the 2026 parley with veterans in Bauchi, an initiative introduced in 2025 to strengthen interaction and bonding between serving and retired personnel.

The Bauchi State Ministry of Education has commenced a performance review of the life skills component of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, aimed at improving implementation and programme outcomes.

The review was the focus of a quarterly community engagement meeting held in Bauchi, which brought together education managers, school principals, School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) members, community leaders, and development partners.

According to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ali Babayo, the engagement serves as a feedback mechanism for identifying gaps, improving strategies, and aligning Bauchi State’s implementation of the programme with national benchmarks.

He said lessons drawn from stakeholders’ inputs would guide policy adjustments and strengthen the delivery of the AGILE life skills programme across participating secondary schools in the state.

Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Director of SISWACHI, Maryam Mohammed, revealed that the programme is currently facing a shortage of trained Guidance and Counsellors (G&Cs) and community mentors across secondary schools in Bauchi State.

“Initially, the plan was to train 200 Guidance and Counsellors and 100 community mentors. Presently, we have 123 G&Cs and 100 mentors, leaving a gap of about 72 personnel,” she said.

Mohammed explained that the engagement with school principals and community leaders was aimed at identifying practical ways to bridge the manpower gap and achieve the target of deploying 300 facilitators across 100 secondary schools.

Despite the challenge, she described the AGILE life skills component as a valuable opportunity supported by the World Bank, urging communities to take ownership of the programme and sustain its gains beyond the project’s lifespan.

Participants at the meeting agreed that regular reviews and strengthened accountability mechanisms would enhance girls’ enrolment, retention, and completion rates, while also promoting positive social change within communities.

The Bauchi State Commissioner for information and communication, Hon. Usman Shehu Usman, has reaffirmed his commitment to partnering with the Association of Northern Nigerian Students (Zero Tolerance for Corruption) in the sustained fight against corruption.

The Commissioner made the pledge after being decorated as an Anti-Corruption Ambassador and conferred with the title of Grand Commander of Northern Nigerian Students (GCNNS) by the Association.

Speaking during the ceremony held in his office on Thursday, Hon. Usman Shehu Usman emphasised that corruption can only be effectively addressed when individuals first acknowledge its presence in society and take personal responsibility to confront it.

He noted that corruption cuts across all sectors and remained a major impediment to development.

He advocated for the inclusion of anti-corruption education in school curricula, describing it as a vital step toward instilling values of integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct among young people from an early age.

The Commissioner further disclosed that the National Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has summoned State Commissioners of Information nationwide, urging them to play proactive roles in supporting the national anti-corruption drive.

He pledged the full support of state-owned media organisations, including Bauchi Television Authority (BATV), Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC), and ten community radio stations, in sensitising the public on the dangers of corruption and the need for collective action to eradicate the menace.

Earlier, the President of the Association, Comrade Sadiq Sabo, presented the award certificate to the Commissioner, explaining that the honour was conferred purely on merit in recognition of his reputation, dedication, and contributions to the state, the nation, and the international community.

Comrade Sabo described Hon. Usman as a selfless and committed leader who has served Bauchi State both locally and in the diaspora, noting that he voluntarily returned from abroad to contribute to the development of his home state.

He also revealed that the Association has organised a series of school-based sensitisation programmes in collaboration with agencies such as the ICPC, EFCC, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), aimed at educating young people on the dangers of corruption and other social vices.

He called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to combat corruption in all its forms.

In a continued effort to improve the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly the less privileged, the Bauchi State Government, through the Office of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has launched an empowerment programme across the 20 local government areas of the state.

As part of the initiative, the agency distributed a total of ₦5.5 million in cash grants and 108 goats to 490 beneficiaries across the 20 LGAs to promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, the Director-General of the Bauchi State SDGs Office, Mrs Lydia Shehu Gar, said the initiative marked a significant milestone in the ongoing empowerment of smallholder farmers in the state through the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), which is committed to driving sustainable development and prosperity.

According to her, other empowerment programmes already implemented include the training of SDGs desk officers, disbursement of cash support to farmers, distribution of goats, and provision of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, knapsack sprayers, and seedlings to numerous beneficiaries. She added that the profiling of smallholder farmers across all local government areas of the state is currently ongoing.

Mrs Gar explained that the empowerment exercise was designed to provide beneficiaries with tangible resources capable of transforming lives and communities.

“Today, we are empowering beneficiaries with tangible resources that can transform lives and communities. This initiative is part of broader efforts to support livelihoods, enhance food security, and promote economic resilience. I therefore urge beneficiaries to use these resources wisely, invest in their future, and contribute to the growth of their communities,” she said.

She noted that the programme is being implemented by the Bauchi State Government through the Office of the SDGs, in partnership with the African Union Development Agency and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), with the aim of strengthening smallholder farmers through agricultural value-chain support.

The director-general further disclosed that the empowerment programme involves the provision of cash grants and livestock support to selected beneficiaries, particularly the less privileged, to promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.

According to her, 30 beneficiaries were selected from nine focus local government areas, while 20 beneficiaries were drawn from 11 non-focus LGAs for the intervention. She added that SDGs officials would closely monitor the programme to ensure sustainability.

She emphasised that beneficiaries who received goats were expected to rear them for multiplication rather than sell them, to enable more people benefit in the future, while those who received cash grants were encouraged to invest the funds in improving their respective businesses.

In separate remarks, some local government chairmen commended the SDGs office for the timely intervention and pledged to ensure effective monitoring and supervision at the grassroots level.

Some of the beneficiaries also expressed gratitude to the SDGs and AUDA-NEPAD for the gesture and promised to utilise the support judiciously in line with the objectives of the programme.

It has been stressed that education is most effective when young people are not only learners, but active partners in shaping the system.

The assertion was made by the Bauchi State Commissioner of Education, Dr Lawal Mohammed Rimin-Zayan, in a keynote address he delivered on Saturday on the commemoration of the 2026 International Day of Education with the theme ‘The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education’.

He said, “Education is the foundation of national development. However, for our education system to remain strong, relevant, and future-ready, it must reflect the voices, creativity, and energy of the youth it serves.

“This year’s theme reminds us that young people today are innovators, digital creators, peer educators, and community leaders. When we involve them in school governance, learning design, innovation, and advocacy, education becomes more meaningful and responsive to real-life challenges.

“As a government, we believe that youth participation strengthens accountability, improves learning outcomes, and builds leadership for tomorrow. That is why we continue to promote platforms that encourage student voice, youth engagement, digital learning, and inclusive participation.

“In co-creating education, we must also ensure inclusion, reaching girls, learners living with disabilities, and children in vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities. Every young person deserves not only access to education, but the opportunity to contribute to shaping it.

“We appreciate the strong collaboration with UNICEF and school Communities who continue to support innovation, inclusion, and system strengthening in our education sector.

“As we mark this important day, I call on all stakeholders to continue investing in youth leadership, safe learning spaces, and inclusive learning opportunities because when youth are empowered,
education thrives.

“In conclusion, let us remember that the future of education cannot be designed for young people without young people. Together, let us harness the power of youth to co-create an education system that leaves no one behind.”

Speaking earlier, Education Specialist with Bauchi Field Office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Ado Abdulrahman Ibrahim, stressed the importance of education as it shapes the future of the society.

He added that digital education promotes self-reliance and confidence-building among the youth; therefore, young people should seek education at all costs.

The UNICEF Education Specialist emphasised active participation in the education system, tasking the government on the need to create a conducive atmosphere for quality education for the young people.

He assured that UNICEF will continue to support the state government in ensuring that a conducive atmosphere for quality education is provided in the state.

In her goodwill message, the Project Coordinator, Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Bauchi State, Ladi Hamma Mohammed, extended warm goodwill messages to the Government and people of Bauchi State, development partners, education stakeholders, teachers, parents, and the youths on the commemoration of 2026 International Day of Education under the theme ‘The Power of Youths in Co-Creating Education’, with the sub-theme ‘Exploring Girl Child Education in an Evolving AI Era’.

She said, “This year’s theme highlights the transformative role of young people as co-creators of education systems that are inclusive, innovative, and responsive to contemporary challenges.

“In a rapidly changing world driven by digital advancement and artificial intelligence, the active participation of youths, particularly girls, is critical to shaping learning environments that promote equity, creativity, and lifelong learning.

“The sub-theme draws attention to the urgent need to safeguard and advance girl-child education amid emerging technologies.

“While artificial intelligence presents immense opportunities for improving access, quality, and delivery of education, it also calls for deliberate efforts to bridge the digital divide and ensure that girls are not left behind. Empowering the girl child with relevant digital skills, safe learning spaces, and equal opportunities remains fundamental to sustainable development.

“AGILE Bauchi remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting government efforts to improve access to quality education for adolescent girls, strengthen education systems, and promote skills development that prepare young people for the future of work in a technology-driven world.

“As we mark this important day, I call on all stakeholders, government institutions, traditional and religious leaders, educators, parents, civil society organisations, and development partners, to continue investing in youth engagement and girl-child education, while responsibly harnessing technology to enhance learning outcomes.

“Together, let us empower our youths and girls to not only participate in education but to actively shape its future.”

Highlights of the celebration was the exhibition of technological inventions by some of the students to demonstrate their skills in going with the digital world in education.

They also engaged in discussions and educational interactions on the importance of digital education, its challenges and solutions for overcoming the challenges

The vice chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Prof Ibrahim Garba, has said the university was ranked the sixth-best performing university in the 2025 Scimago Institutions Rankings (SIR).

The VC stated this on Friday at the opening ceremony of a two-day Workshop on National Research Fund (NRF) Proposal Development, organised by the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Development of the institution.

He explained that Scimago Institutions Rankings is a global ranking system for universities and research institutions, developed by a Spanish research group, that evaluates performance based on research output, innovation, and societal impact.

According to him, ATBU was ranked sixth behind University of Ibadan, Covenant University, University of Nigeria (NSUKKA), University of Lagos and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Garba further explained that the institution also ranked first nationally in innovation, engineering, environmental sciences and energy studies.

“Let me start with our stellar performance, particularly in the 2025 SCImago Institutional Ranking where we were ranked first in innovation nationwide in Nigeria, which reflects our excellence in patents.

“We have a lot of patents actually, Industry collaboration, which we also have, and technological advancement. We are third in research for a growing volume of quality output and global citations,” he said.

The vice chancellor further disclosed that the university has secured three Centres of Excellence, including the TETFund Centre, the Dairy Research and Development Centre and the Bank of Industry’s North East Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Centre.

The National Youth Service Corps has commended Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed for his prompt intervention in rebuilding the broken parts of the state camp’s perimeter fence.

Mr Umoren Kufre, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, made the commendation on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream One corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Government Area.

According to him, the collapsed portion of the fence had been a major security threat to all the members of the camp community in recent times.

“We remain grateful to him for the complete renovation of corps members’ hostels and the construction of a brand new multipurpose hall in the camp.

“We also appreciate him for his intervention in rebuilding the broken parts of the camp’s perimeter fence which has been a security threat to the members of the camp’s community.

“You will all recall that this has been a nightmare to us because that portion of the camp was porous and may give room for possible invasion but we thank the governor for the prompt intervention,” he said.

In his address, the governor said that the primary aim of the NYSC was to promote national unity and integration.

He added that the philosophy and initiatives of the scheme acknowledged the physical, psychological, mental, and intellectual development of the youth.

While urging the corps members to make the best use of the opportunity during the orientation exercise, Mohammed called on them to justify the trust the nation has placed in them.

He promised to embark on the construction of staff accommodation, a clinic and other necessary facilities and assured that his administration would continue to do all to make the corps members and staff comfortable during orientation exercises in the camp.

“May I further assure the management of the scheme in the state that we would not fail in our statutory responsibilities to the scheme, in addition to assisting where and when necessary,” Mohammed said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 2,050 corps members were posted to the state for the mandatory one year service.

(NAN)