The Fintiri Legacy Series: Building Beyond Today Part 2

Education – Building the Future through Knowledge

From Safe Communities to Enlightened Future — the Fintiri’s Educational Rebirth

As we shifted the spotlight in the first chapter from insecurity to how Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri CON restored confidence and calm across Adamawa state, it became clear that peace is not merely the absence of conflict—it is the fertile soil in which aspiration flourishes. In that light, Governor Fintiri’s next masterstroke was equally transformative: Education.

A Vision for Every Child: Free and Accessible Learning

Governor Fintiri has anchored his vision for the state’s future on a strong and quality educational foundation. The administration from the beginning has elevated education to a non-negotiable height. By instituting free basic education from nursery to junior secondary school, financial barriers that once kept children out of classrooms have all but vanished today—ushering in a surge in school enrolment across the state. Complementing this feat is the reintroduction of school feeding programme, ensuring that children not only learn, but do so with healthy, nourished minds. Such holistic care underscores his belief that nurturing the body is as vital as nurturing the mind.

Infrastructure as a Foundation: Model & Mega Schools

From 29th May, 2019 Governor Fintiri’s focus has been on renovating, building and equipping schools with learning tools and teachers, till date. On January 25, 2024, the governor delivered a bold promise: 21 Model Basic Education Schools, one for each Local Government Area, anchored on early learning from nursery through junior secondary levels. A project, valued at nearly ₦15 billion and spanning at least three hectares each, these institutions are set to become hubs of technologies, modern learning and community pride. 

Parallel to this effort are the three Mega Secondary Schools, located strategically across the 3 senatorial districts for fairness. These are designed as science and technology-focused institutions, complete with laboratories, workshops, and advanced instructional facilities—a firm step toward equipping Adamawa’s youth for the challenges of tomorrow’s global economy, through STEM education.

Governor Umaru Fintiri has not only advanced education through policy but also through tangible investments in infrastructure that are redefining the learning environment across the State. His administration has embarked on massive construction, renovation, and modernization of schools to provide befitting facilities for quality delivery. The governor has shown a clear commitment to raising the standard of learning, as hundreds of classrooms have been rehabilitated and furnished, while new blocks of classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and administrative offices have been built to give teachers and students an enabling environment for effective teaching and learning experience. 

The administration has also prioritized replacement of broken furniture, provision of perimeter fencing for security, and installation of modern learning aids. Beyond urban centers, rural schools have equally benefited, ensuring that no child is left behind due to location - By investing heavily in infrastructure, Governor Fintiri is laying a foundation that supports his free education policy, promotes STEM education, and aligns with his vision of preparing Adamawa’s youth for global competitiveness. A feat that only government cannot attain all – hence the need for private/corporate participation.

Empowering Educators: The Quality Teaching Force

In every learning institution, no infrastructure is complete without the hands that bring lessons to life. Addressing a chronic shortage of teaching manpower in Adamawa state, Governor Fintiri’s administration launched a major recruitment of 5,000 qualified teachers, marking an ambitious, merit-driven campaign to fill classrooms with passionate and equipped professionals. Alongside recruitment, there is an ongoing training and improved teacher retention initiatives—such as general raise of pay and retirement age for science educators—these incentives are raising standards and reinforcing the backbone of quality education in the state.

Scholarships: Investing in Human Capital

Understanding that education must extend beyond borders, the Fresh Air Administration has reinvigorated overseas scholarship programmes into the scheme of educational programming, targeting fields at the heart of innovation: science, engineering, ICT, and artificial intelligence. The government has earlier in 2020, sponsored 60 Adamawa students to Mewar University India through its fully funded state scholarship to study engineering for the benefit of the state. In a recent drive, 200 Adamawa youths were earmarked to benefit from another fully-funded international study opportunities. On the Homefront, Governor Fintiri in his education policy, reinstates the regular payment of scholarship to Adamawa students of tertiary institutions across Nigeria - tens of thousands of students has so far benefitted and still counting. A good governance gesture that parents and students, especially the National Union of Adamawa State Students (NUADSS) has applauded. The fresh Air Education Policy cuts across foreign and homebase scholarships.

Exam Relief & Infrastructure Revival

To eliminate financial hurdles at critical academic junctures in the life of students and their parents, the administration has also paid WAEC and NECO fees for final-year students of secondary schools, offering relief and a smoother path toward success, which was long neglected.

Concurrently, with the WAEC and NECO payments, government has settled a long-overdue commitments, a ₦1.2 billion counterpart fund to UBEC, unlocking ₦10 billion in federal support to basic education, a commitment that only comes with the love and priority for education. This windfall fuelled large-scale rehabilitation of 5,000 schools across the state, breathing new life into aging facilities and making learning more accessible and productive.

Recognition and Reform – No effort goes unrewarded

Such sweeping transformation has not gone unnoticed. His Excellency. Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri was honored with the “Best Governor on Educational Development” award by Business Day—a testament to his far-reaching impact even among fellow governors in more advantaged states.

Why It Matters to All Nigerians

The Fintiri’s vision in education is more than localized reform—it echoes a promise to Nigeria’s future. In each academy built, scholarships awarded, teacher recruited, trained, and fees paid, we see a blueprint for national renewal and growth. 

Equity in Action - The free education and feeding programmes in the state, is a deliberate act to reach the most vulnerable, leveling the field across socioeconomic divides.

Future-Ready Youth - The Mega and STEM schools and sponsorships, positions Adamawa’s youth at the frontier of modern economies through productive and relevant education.

Sustainable Growth - The Investment in local teachers and educational infrastructure creates ripple effects—jobs, improved quality of education, increased access and equity, stronger local economy, retention of talents, safer communities and long-term national growth.

National Hope - A government that prioritizes education sets a precedent, building skilled and ready human capital, inspiring other states to follow and bringing us closer to the Nigeria we all envision.

Governor Fintiri’s educational rebirth is not just about structures—it’s about restoring dignity, kindling ambitions, and transforming lives. It speaks to every Nigerian parent, youth, policymaker, and citizen who understands that knowledge is the legacy we carry forward. As this legacy continues to unfold, it beckons us all to believe: when education is the foundation, the future is limitless – this is drive for Fintiri’s education policy.

As we journey further in this legacy series, it is important to note that the pursuit of quality education cannot be fully realized without sound health — physically, biologically, and mentally. As we anchor our digest on education, our next focus will be on Governor Fintiri’s impact in the health sector, where we shall explore the policies, projects, and interventions that complement his vision for a healthier and more productive society.

By Mazi Uchenna Nwafor

Hicia News