By Gambo Hamza
As Nasarawa State prepares to host the much-awaited Education Summit, designed as a platform for articulating a comprehensive blueprint for the State’s educational development, experts have been reviewing the notable achievements of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) under the leadership of its Chairman, Dr. Kassim Mohammed Kassim.
Despite the relatively short period since his appointment, Dr. Kassim has recorded significant accomplishments that have drawn the attention of education stakeholders across the State. The following highlights offer a structured overview of key reforms and milestones achieved under his stewardship:
Major Reforms and Strategic Actions: Recovered Stolen School Furniture and Tackled Mismanagement
Dr. Kassim uncovered cases where desks and chairs meant for public schools were diverted and sold to private schools and individuals. He initiated investigations in collaboration with the police, ordered the recovery of the stolen items and emphasized that no public-school child should be forced to sit on the floor while corrupt officials profit from public resources.
Redeployed 1,300 Administrative Staff Back to the Classroom
To address the imbalance between administrative overstaffing and acute teacher shortages, especially in rural areas, he directed that 1,300 administrative personnel with teaching qualifications be returned to classroom duties immediately.
Launched a Large-Scale Teacher Recruitment Drive
Under his leadership, the government approved the recruitment of 4,800 qualified teachers, prioritizing deployment to rural and underserved communities to close long-standing gaps in remote schools.
Infrastructure, Welfare and Quality Assurance
Cleared Salary Arrears for School Workers Using Personal Funds
In a gesture widely commended by the public, Dr. Kassim personally paid ₦2.7 million owed to cleaners at a State Smart School after months of unpaid wages.
Revoked Substandard Construction Contracts and Strengthened Oversight
He cancelled at least nine poorly executed school construction and renovation contracts. He then instituted strict monitoring mechanisms to ensure contractors meet quality standards before receiving payments.
Improved School Security and Pupil Safety
NSUBEB, under his watch, partnered with the NSCDC to launch a School Safety Programme Unit, deploying security personnel to protect pupils and prevent vandalism, theft and kidnapping within school environments.
Initiated Plans to Reintroduce the School Feeding Programme
Recognizing that child welfare is integral to learning outcomes, he announced steps toward restarting the primary school feeding programme to support pupils’ nutrition and attendance.
Governance, Standards and Staff Development: Strengthened Transparency and Anti-Corruption Measures
He banned unauthorized salary deductions, the illegal sale or lease of school land, and the misuse of school property. He also mandated the establishment of maintenance units across local governments to protect school assets.
Committed to Teacher Training and Improved Pedagogy
Dr. Kassim initiated an agenda for the training and retraining of teachers, including a renewed focus on improving mathematics instruction, with the aim of raising the overall quality of basic education.
Early Impact and Public Recognition: Transformative First 100 Days in Office
Observers widely described his first 100 days as transformative, marking a period of rapid reforms that restored public confidence and “changed the narrative” within the basic education sub-sector.
Widespread Commendation and Growing Stakeholder Trust
From clearing salary arrears to confronting systemic mismanagement, his actions have earned praise from political leaders, civil society groups, parents, and education advocates, who see him as a result-driven reformer.
Why These Achievements Matter
Under Dr. Kassim’s leadership, NSUBEB is shifting from a system previously marred by mismanagement, infrastructural decay, and weak oversight to one anchored on accountability, transparency, equity, and quality. By simultaneously addressing staff deployment, welfare, infrastructure, security, and governance, he is laying a comprehensive foundation for sustainable improvement in Nasarawa State’s basic education sector.
The upcoming Education Summit is therefore expected not only to consolidate these gains but to provide a broader, long-term roadmap for educational transformation across the State.
Written by Gambo Hamza via gambohamz@gmail.com
