Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has awarded full scholarships to 30 outstanding students from the state who gained admission to the Federal Government Academy, Suleja, after excelling in the National Examination Council (NECO) entrance exams for gifted students.
The announcement was made during a reception for the students at the Government House, where Governor Lawal praised their academic achievements and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving education in Zamfara. The governor emphasized that the scholarships will cover all expenses, ensuring that the parents of the selected students will not have to bear any financial burden.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, it was revealed that the students’ success was a result of collaborative efforts led by the Muhammad Danbaba Centre for Women and Youth Development. The centre’s role helped Zamfara emerge as the top-performing Northern state in the entrance exams, with many of the top-scoring students hailing from public schools.
Governor Lawal congratulated the students and their families, highlighting the significance of their achievements as proof that the state’s education reforms are bearing fruit.
“Your remarkable performance was a positive indication that our administration’s declaration of an education emergency last year was not in vain,” Lawal said. “In the past, Zamfara was consistently ranked among the lowest in terms of education in Nigeria, but we are changing that narrative.”
The governor also shared his personal experience of attending public schools, underscoring his administration’s mission to revitalize public education in Zamfara. “I was the only one in my family to attend LEA schools, while my siblings attended elite institutions. This experience drives my passion to uplift public education standards across the state,” he added.
Governor Lawal detailed several initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education, including the renovation of over 300 schools across the state’s 14 local government areas and the ongoing training of teachers to enhance the quality of instruction in public schools.
“This scholarship for the 30 gifted students is just the beginning. We are committed to continuing this support for all our students, ensuring that Zamfara becomes a beacon of educational excellence,” the governor said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Muhammad Danbaba Centre for Women and Youth Development, Sarkin Malami, outlined the centre’s activities and offered recommendations for enhancing collaboration with the state government to further support youth and educational development in Zamfara.
The scholarships mark a significant step in Zamfara’s educational reform efforts, with Governor Lawal’s administration focused on ensuring that young talents are nurtured and given the opportunity to excel.
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