Sokoto State government has approved N6.12 billion for the construction of nine Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) prototype schools across the state’s three senatorial districts.

The approval was part of the major decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Bashir Muhammad-Achida, said the nine prototype schools would be distributed equally across the three senatorial districts.

According to him, the government has also approved a series of projects to improve religious infrastructure in the state.

He said the initiative was aimed at expanding access to quality education and providing a more conducive learning environment for pupils.

Mr Muhammad-Achida added that the initiative reflects the governor’s commitment to strengthening the education sector in line with his administration’s Nine-Point Smart Agenda.

He also disclosed that the council approved several projects covering the rehabilitation of Juma’at Mosques, construction of daily prayer mosques, and improvement of Islamic schools across the state.

The commissioner listed the projects, including the rehabilitation of Achida Central Juma’at Mosque at N221.5 million and Sabon Birni Central Juma’at Mosque in Sabon Birni Local Government Area at N155 million.

Others include the construction of five daily prayer mosques in the Kwamberu area at N98.2 million and the rehabilitation of Tureta Central Juma’at Mosque in the Tureta Local Government Area at N285.1 million.

Mr Muhammad-Achida added that the council had approved N230.6 million for the rehabilitation of Kuppa Juma’at Mosque in Gidan Sauro area.

Similarly, N166.9 million was approved for the construction of classrooms and sanitation facilities at Raddul Azzam Quranic School, Achida.

He added that N298 million was approved for the construction of an Islamic school in the Sabon Garin Tudun Wada area of the Sokoto South Local Government Area.

The commissioner further disclosed that the council approved N54 million to provide carpets at Gada Central Juma’at Mosque.

Mr Muhammad-Achida said the interventions underscored the state government’s commitment to improving educational standards, providing essential infrastructure and strengthening religious institutions across Sokoto State.

(NAN)