All roads will on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 lead to Government House, Dutse, Jigawa State for the 12th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture and Merit Awards.
In a statement signed by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF), Engr. (Dr.) Abubakar Gambo Umar, the 2026 lecture will focus on the theme, “Delivery of Equitable Access to Quality Basic Education in Northern Nigeria – A Time for Real Action.”
According to the statement, the theme underscores the Foundation’s sustained commitment to promoting equitable access to quality basic education and advancing practical, results-oriented policy interventions to address long-standing educational challenges in Northern Nigeria.
“The Foundation is pleased to announce Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, OON, MNAE, HLR, FMLA, former Honourable Minister of Education, as the Distinguished Guest Speaker,” the statement said.
It added that the event will be chaired by the Executive Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, while the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, will serve as the Royal Father of the Day.
The statement further disclosed that the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar A. Namadi, FCA, will host the event. To ensure seamless organisation, the governor has constituted a high-powered Local Organising Committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor of the state, Engr. Aminu Usman, FNSE.
“The programme will be graced by the Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, alongside Governors of the nineteen Northern States, members of the National and State Assemblies, traditional rulers, senior government officials, elder statesmen, development partners, and other distinguished guests,” the statement noted.
The Foundation explained that the annual lecture and merit awards are designed to commemorate the enduring legacy and visionary leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, while recognising individuals and institutions whose contributions align with his ideals of unity, education, equity, good governance and selfless service to humanity.
It added that five accomplished personalities have emerged through a rigorous selection process as recipients of the 2026 Sir Ahmadu Bello Annual Lifetime Achievement and Merit Awards.
The Foundation also invited stakeholders, policymakers, education practitioners, development partners, members of the media and the general public to attend what it described as a landmark national event in Dutse.
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