The Nasarawa State Government has commenced a large-scale distribution of nearly 100,000 textbooks to schools across the 13 local government areas of the state, part of renewed efforts to strengthen basic education and boost learning outcomes.
At a launch ceremony held in the state capital on Friday, January 16, 2026, Governor Abdullahi Sule said the distribution of 99,776 mathematics, English and History textbooks, targeted at nursery, primary and special schools, will be overseen by the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) to ensure accountability and equitable access.
“This textbook distribution exercise will be monitored by the State’s Universal Basic Education Board in order to ensure that every LGA and community benefits from the goodwill of the government,” the governor said, underlining his administration’s commitment to improving educational resources.
Governor Sule praised the collaborative procurement of the textbooks, which were acquired jointly by UBEC (Universal Basic Education Commission) and NSUBEB. He also reaffirmed the state’s ongoing support for basic education through consistent counterpart funding, a requirement to unlock federal allocations.
“I also want to commend the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, and the Board Chairman of UBEC, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, for their tireless efforts in changing the narrative of basic education in the country,” Governor Sule added, acknowledging the federal agency’s role in strengthening instructional quality.
In addition to textbooks, the NSUBEB plans to distribute 27 smartphone tablets and 20 interactive smart televisions to select schools, including LGEA Central Pilot Science Primary School in Dunama, LGEA Primary School in Nasarawa Eggon, and LGEA Primary School in Kofar Kudu, Nasarawa.
Dr. Kassim Muhammed-Kassim, Executive Chairman of NSUBEB, highlighted ongoing partnerships that have brought donations from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), including school bags, calculators and other essential writing materials.
“We have received generous donations from the Korean International Cooperation Agency of school bags, calculators and other essential writing materials,” Dr. Kassim affirmed, emphasising multi-sector support for education in Nasarawa.
During the event, Dr. Kassim announced the appointment of His Royal Highness, the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (retd), as Chairman of the Task Force Steering Committee to tackle challenges such as the out-of-school children syndrome, school property vandalism, and routine school maintenance across the state.
The NSUBEB boss said the task force will work with local government officials, traditional leaders and supervisory councillors to implement compulsory basic education policies and safeguard learning environments.
“The motto is ‘Operation Save the Future of Our Children,’” Dr. Kassim said, emphasising the state’s holistic approach to raising school participation and retention.
The textbook distribution is one of several initiatives by the Nasarawa State Government to improve educational access and quality. In recent months, the state has intensified efforts to return out-of-school children to classrooms through sensitisation campaigns and logistical support, including the procurement of mini-buses for community outreach drives.
Stakeholders say the combination of improved instructional materials, technology support, and targeted interventions for vulnerable children represents a strategic approach to addressing longstanding educational challenges in the state, and builds on earlier commitments such as the provision of infrastructure and increased teacher deployment.
