The Jigawa State government has pardoned 245 teachers who had abandoned their teaching duties for long periods, some for up to three years, after they openly apologised and signed undertakings not to repeat the misconduct.
The affected teachers were invited to a meeting on Monday at the NUT Conference Hall in Dutse by the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB. Their salaries had been withheld since June 2025 when the board discovered their long-term absences. Some of the teachers were also found to have hired unqualified people to stand in for them while still receiving salaries.
Professor Haruna Musa, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, told reporters after the meeting that the actions of the teachers violated civil service rules and were damaging to the state’s education system.
He said, “The government has done its part by paying salaries on time and approving promotions. But teachers have failed in their responsibilities. We won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour anymore.”
According to Musa, the state is serious about restoring the dignity of basic education and will continue to hold teachers accountable. “There is now a system in place to ensure commitment and discipline,” he added.
Dr. Hauwa Babura, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education, also spoke at the event. She said the administration of Governor Umar Namadi was determined to fix the education sector and reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state.
“Every teacher must realise that their work is not just a job. It is a trust. Everyone will give account of their actions on the Day of Judgment,” she said.
Dr. Babura also said the government’s recent move against absentee teachers was part of a larger effort to improve education standards. She noted that the teachers’ willingness to apologise and sign undertakings showed they were ready to change.
The meeting was attended by top education officials, including SUBEB directors, the Governor’s Special Assistant on Basic Education, Mallam Salmanu, and the State Teachers’ Union Secretary, Comrade Surajo Yaro.
After the session, the teachers formally apologised to the governor and pledged not to repeat their offences. The board then gave them letters of undertaking, allowing them to return to the classroom under strict monitoring.
