The federal government has disbursed N11.5 billion to 178,342 deserving families under its social safety net in Jigawa in the last one year.

Sagir Musa, Jigawa commissioner for information, youth, sports and culture, stated this on Saturday in Dutse while appraising projects executed by the President Bola Tinubu administration.

He said that the Tinubu administration had disbursed N11.58 billion to 178,342 beneficiaries under the Renewed Hope Social Protection Scheme.

Mr Musa said that the people of the state also benefited from the Tinubu administration’s Ramadan Rice Palliative, NG-CARES and National Community Food Bank initiatives.

He said that the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) had implemented a series of interventions, including the establishment of the Sen. Oluremi Tinubu Clinic in Hadejia and the National Community Food Bank, to address malnutrition and improve family health services.

“The interventions are targeted at improving access to healthcare and addressing nutritional challenges, particularly among vulnerable populations,” he said.

Mr Musa said that the state witnessed significant federal government presence in various sectors following the execution of viable projects in infrastructure, agriculture, education, digital skills and human capital development.

He listed some of the projects as the Greater Dutse Water Supply, road rehabilitation, and agriculture and education interventions.

The commissioner said that the project was designed to ensure a steady water supply to 1.5 million residents of Dutse and adjoining communities.

Mr Musa said that the project comprised the installation of 35 industrial boreholes, the construction of a modern water treatment plant, and a 56.6-kilometre reticulation system.

“The federal government is also advancing the Kano – Katsina – Maradi railway project, including the Kano – Dutse railway stations along the corridor, with delivery targeted for December 2027.

“The railway is expected to improve transportation, facilitate movement of people and goods, as well as strengthen trade across the affected states,” he said.

On education, Mr Musa lauded the implementation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) by the Tinubu administration.

He said that the fund disbursed over N195 million to 6,279 students of Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa, for the 2025/2026 academic year.

The fund, he said, equally paid more than N867 million to 7,738 students of the Federal University Dutse (FUD).

Mr Musa said that the Tinubu administration had expanded digital literacy through the establishment of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Future Academy, Hadejia.

The school was inaugurated in 2026 by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

According to Mr Musa, the initiative aims to expand access to digital skills and technology opportunities for young people in the state.

“Jigawa youths have also participated in the federal government’s 3-Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, with beneficiaries receiving digital skills training and opportunities,” he said.

Yusuf Nabhani, controller, Federal Ministry of Works, Jigawa Field Office, said that the Tinubu administration had embarked on the rehabilitation and realignment of two highway projects, which had reached about 82 per cent and 36 per cent completion stages, respectively.

He said that the rehabilitation of the 47.51km Kunya – Kanya – Babura – Baban Mutum Road was awarded to CRCC Construction Company Nigeria Ltd. at the cost of over N48 billion.

Mr Nabhani said that a project assessment report indicated that 34.78km of the road had been completed.

He said that work on the Kano – Birnin Kudu – Bauchi Road, including five bridges, had stopped due to non-payment for certified works.

The coordinator said that road interventions continued along major corridors linking Jigawa with Kano, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno.

“The Gaya – Dutse – Azare, along Kano – Maiduguri corridors are strategic routes for commerce and regional connectivity, while interventions have also continued on the Bauchi – Jigawa Road.” 

(NAN)