On Wednesday 11th December 2024, the Jigawa State Government officially started the process of large scale transformation of the basic education in the state by kicking off the JigawaUNITE (Unified Improved Teaching and Education) initiative, a groundbreaking public education reform programme aimed at radically improving the state educational outcomes and future prospects. JigawaUNITE embodies the Jigawa State Governor, HE Mallam Umar Namadi’s, vision for a more prosperous Jigawa and is designed to deliver significant improvements in learning outcomes for children in public schools across the state beyond infrastructure development which the government will also be investing heavily in.

The official JigawaUNITE programme launch was held at the Jigawa State Government house, speaking at the event Governor Namadi stated the commitment of his administration to drive improvement at all levels of education in the state, he said “Education is a crucial part of our 12-Point Agenda for Greater Jigawa, we are working hard on tertiary and secondary schools, but basic education is the foundation and so our partnership with NewGlobe is a deliberate attempt to revamp basic education in Jigawa State, we have embarked on this programme after having fully assessed outcomes from similar programs over a period of time, it will be implemented in line with the peculiar reality of Jigawa State to ensure we achieve the best possible results.”

This follows the commitment of the Governor Namadi administration to tackle education in the state. The Jigawa State Executive Council led by Governor Namadi has previously approved ₦740.79 million for the construction and renovation of educational facilities in various schools across the state. The funds will be used to build classrooms, laboratories, administration blocks, ICT labs, workshops, and toilets in selected schools, including Government Day Science Technical College (GDSTC) in Kafin Hausa and Babura, College of Government Secondary Schools (CGSSS) in Roni and Jahun, and other institutions in Gumel, Kanya Babba, Ringim, Dutse, and Hadejia.

Among other government dignitaries present Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Dr. Isah Y. Chamo, Commissioner for Higher Education and Hon. Dr. Lawan Danzomo, Commissioner for Basic Education while the NewGlobe delegation was led by Jay Kimmelman, Group CEO, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu, Vice President and Soji Akinyele Nigeria Group Managing Director. While delivering the goodwill message, Kimmelman emphasized the need for strong political will and leadership on education, he said “We have dedicated ourselves to ensuring that every child can reach their full potential. But there is a critical element we cannot innovate: the political leadership with the vision and will to act. The leadership that recognizes the urgency of improving education and demands bold, transformative action. This is what we see in Jigawa. Your Excellency, Governor Namadi, your leadership inspires us. Your vision for the children of Jigawa and your determination to demand something different are precisely why we are here today.”

JigawaUNITE is based on a holistic methodology comprising adaptive instructional content, a digital learning platform, intensive teacher training, continuous on the job coaching, 360-degree support, monitoring and evaluation that has proven to elevate learning outcomes, placing children at par with international standards. The Jigawa state government will operate the JigawaUNITE program in collaboration with NewGlobe, an education expert and global leader in learning with a mission to ensure all education systems are inclusive, equitable & transformative. NewGlobe supports visionary governments to transform public education systems, the cornerstone of a prosperous, equitable, and peaceful society.

NewGlobe has partnered with governments on many successful education transformation programs across the world including the Nigeria state governments of Edo on EdoBEST, Lagos on EKOEXCEL, Kwara on KwaraLEARN and Bayelsa with BayelsaPRIME. The methodology underpinning these programs was the subject of a study spearheaded by 2019 Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor Michael Kremer over a 2-year period, which found that the methodology delivered significant gains in learning outcomes and learning equity irrespective of gender, social or economic backgrounds.