Jigawa State, under the leadership of Governor Umar Namadi, recently marked two years in office with significant revelations from the Commissioner for Finance, Hannatu Sabo.
A major highlight of her address was the discovery of approximately 7,000 "ghost workers" during a thorough verification exercise across various state agencies and departments. These individuals were purged from the payroll after failing to come forward for verification, a move Sabo underscored as a testament to the government's unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability.
This successful workforce streamlining paved the way for the recruitment of new employees under the J-Health, J-Teach, and J-Agro programs, demonstrating a dual approach to efficiency and job creation. Furthermore, Sabo proudly announced that Jigawa State is among the highest-paying states in Nigeria, having fully adopted the new salary structure and ensuring timely payments to employees, consistently disbursing salaries before the 25th of each month as directed by Governor Namadi.
Beyond internal financial management, the state has also received a boost from the Federal Government through increased monthly allocations to both the state and local government councils, funds earmarked to bolster development projects. The Namadi administration's strategic investments extend to vital sectors, with the notable acquisition of the privately owned Khadija University in Majia and a stake in the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
These ventures are anticipated to enhance state revenue while simultaneously improving educational standards and electricity supply for citizens. Additionally, the government has actively supported microfinance banks in several local governments, with ambitious plans to establish branches in all remaining local government areas, thereby expanding access to financial services, particularly in rural communities.
