Governor Umaru Bago on Monday received an Islamic Development Bank delegation on a fact-finding mission for a $110 million smart education transformation project.

Speaking during the visit, the delegation, led by Imtiaz Alam, operations team leader of the IsDB, said the project would be implemented in Niger, Jigawa and Yobe.

He said the delegation would engage the state government and relevant stakeholders to understand the state’s priorities and to align with the bank’s support.

Mr Alam disclosed that grants were expected from the Global Partnership for Education, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, IsDB and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. He said after the preparation mission and consultation, the project will proceed to the bank’s approval process.

The IsDB operation team leader also said Niger was among nine states benefiting from the Bank’s bilingual education project. He said four modern boarding schools for Almajiri children were being constructed, adding that the project would be completed by the end of December.

Mr Alam reiterated the need for the state government to plan adequately for the operation and sustainability of the facilities by providing teachers, school managers, and other necessary resources.

The IsDB operation team leader commended the Niger government for its leadership and institutional arrangements, particularly the establishment of the New Niger Development Project, responsible for project coordination and implementation.

Mr Bago said the smart education transformation project, when implemented, would provide access to education and address challenges confronting public schools, particularly insecurity and inadequate educational facilities.

Mr Bago identified Minna, Suleja, Bida, Kontagora and New Bussa as proposed locations for the schools. He thanked the IsDB for its continued partnership with the state to accelerate development across critical sectors, including the Minna-Bida and the 100-megawatt solar project, among others.

On the bilingual education initiative, the governor assured that the state government would begin recruiting teachers and other personnel to ensure the facilities become operational and are effectively managed.

He further disclosed that the state government had submitted proposals to the Islamic Development Bank for additional development interventions in ICT, water, sanitation and urban development, as well as agriculture.

(NAN)