From: Mika’il Tsoho Dutse
Residents and civil society organisations in Jigawa State have voiced strong objections to the recent approval of ₦3.5 billion for the construction of shops in Kano and ₦500 million for supplementary lessons for foreign students.
In a statement titled “Jigawa State Quest for Financial Resilience: A Time for Reflection”, Comrade Isa Mustapha of ELIP-Initiative called on the government to adopt “a deliberate, future-focused approach” to public spending.
The group stressed that with the state’s heavy reliance on federal allocations and limited internally generated revenue, public investments should aim to diversify and strengthen the local economy.
“To break this cycle and build a resilient revenue base, we strongly recommend investing in revenue-generating sectors that harness Jigawa’s comparative advantages,” the statement noted.
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Suggested sectors include agro-processing, commercial farming, livestock market upgrades, transport terminals, tourism, and ICT hubs, all designed to foster sustainable growth.
The statement criticised the decision to build shops outside the state and questioned the logic behind spending half a billion naira on foreign student tutoring when local schools lack basic infrastructure.
“We are deeply concerned about the recent approval of over ₦500 million for ‘extra lessons’ for foreign students—this move raises urgent questions about the quality of the schools,” the group stated.
It urged the State Executive Council to “pause and reflect” before committing funds to projects that lack long-term returns, and to engage stakeholders for transparency and better outcomes.
“This is not merely a call to spend; it is a call to build Jigawa’s economic future,” the statement concluded.
