Kano State has recruited 16,000 teachers over the past three years, a hiring initiative the Federal Government on Tuesday described as one of the largest teacher recruitment drives undertaken by any Nigerian state in recent years.
The latest phase of the exercise saw appointment letters presented to 4,900 newly recruited teachers in Kano, alongside 3,688 Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) Cohort V facilitators.
Presenting the appointment letters, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said teachers remain the cornerstone of efforts to improve learning outcomes and strengthen the nation’s human capital.
“You are the most important people in our society. If we have good teachers teaching Nigerian children, we will produce very good students. Please take your time, love them, nurture them and teach them well. That is how we can derive full value from the opportunities that the Governor has given you,” he told the new recruits.
Dr. Alausa urged the beneficiaries to justify the opportunity through professionalism, dedication, and excellence in classroom instruction.
“Much is given, much is expected,” the minister said, calling on the teachers to repay the confidence reposed in them through commitment, professionalism, and high-quality teaching.
He contrasted Kano’s recruitment exercise with the situation in several other states, where large-scale teacher recruitment has remained stagnant.
“In some states, no single teacher has been recruited in decades. Here in Kano, the Governor has employed 16,000 teachers in just three years. This is what human capital development looks like. These are investments that will produce responsible citizens who will serve Kano State, Nigeria and the world,” he said.
Governor Abba Yusuf, who hosted the ceremony, described the presentation of appointment letters as another significant milestone in the state’s ongoing education reform programme.
