The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has announced plans to hold the 12th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture and Merit Awards on January 20, 2026, in Dutse, Jigawa.

The director-general of the foundation, Abubakar Umar, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

According to him, the event is scheduled to take place at the Government House, Dutse.

The foundation said the theme underscored its sustained commitment to promoting equitable access to quality basic education and advancing practical, result-oriented policy interventions to address long-standing educational challenges in the North.

It announced Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, a former education minister, as the guest speaker.

Mr Umar added that the chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, would chair the occasion. Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa will be the chief host.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima is also expected to attend the event alongside governors of the 19 northern states, federal and state lawmakers, traditional rulers, and senior government officials.

The foundation said that the annual memorial lecture and merit awards were instituted to commemorate the legacy and visionary leadership of the late Sardauna of Sokoto.

It added that the platform also recognised individuals and institutions whose contributions reflected his ideals of unity, education, equity, good governance, and selfless service to humanity.

According to Mr Umar, five distinguished Nigerians had emerged through a rigorous selection process as recipients of the 2026 Sir Ahmadu Bello Annual Lifetime Achievement and Merit Awards.

(NAN)