In a decisive move to overhaul its ailing education system, the Benue State Government has uncovered and initiated action against more than 4,000 illegal and substandard schools operating across the state.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kula Tersoo, made this known during a media briefing in Makurdi, describing the affected institutions as “unfit for academic instruction” due to the presence of unqualified teachers and poor learning environments.
“This discovery is part of a wider education reform agenda aimed at restoring quality and credibility to our public and private school systems,” Tersoo stated.
As part of efforts to bridge the gap in quality education, the state government has recruited 9,700 qualified teachers into the primary education sector. The move, according to officials, is intended to reposition schools and ensure that learners are guided by competent professionals.
In a further show of commitment, the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia covered the external examination fees for approximately 19,000 students who took part in the 2023/2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), National Examination Council (NECO), and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).
Higher institutions in the state have also benefited from the government’s intervention. Notably, the administration cleared a 38-month backlog of earned allowances owed to academic and non-academic staff of Moses Adasu University, formerly Benue State University. This action, Tersoo noted, has contributed to the uninterrupted academic sessions being enjoyed in the state’s tertiary institutions.
“The administration’s goal is not just access to education but quality, stability, and progress. We are fixing foundational problems and ensuring sustainability,” he added.
In a bold stride toward innovation and academic growth, the government has also secured a license to establish a University of Technology in Ihugh, located in Vandeikiya Local Government Area. The new institution is expected to drive technological advancement and widen access to higher education in the state.
These wide-ranging reforms, analysts say, could mark a turning point for education in Benue, positioning the state as a model for strategic recovery and future-focused development.