Jigawa Governor Wins Big: NUT Names Namadi Best Performing Leader in Northern Nigeria

When the rest of Nigeria's education sector was struggling, one governor stood tall and delivered results that got the entire nation talking. Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State just bagged the prestigious "Best Performing Governor in Northern Nigeria" award from the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), and honestly, this recognition is well deserved.

A Leader Who Actually Walks the Talk

The NUT delegation, led by Deputy National President Muhammad Hambali, didn't mince words when they visited Government House, Dutse. They called Governor Namadi a visionary, exemplary, and teacher-friendly leader whose reforms have completely transformed Jigawa's education landscape.

"You are a visionary leader, an exemplary leader," Hambali declared during the award presentation. "What is good for the goose is good for the gander. The Nigerian Union of Teachers has deemed it necessary to honour you for your outstanding performance and commitment to raising education standards in Jigawa State."

Setting the Standard While Others Struggle

Here's what makes this story even more impressive: while other states were busy cutting salaries, laying off teachers, and refusing to implement the national minimum wage, Governor Namadi was doing the exact opposite. This brother was out here recruiting more teachers, paying enhanced salaries, and ensuring educators got their pay on or before the 20th of every month.

"When other governors refused to implement the national minimum wage, Governor Namadi implemented a jumbo-sized salary for teachers in Jigawa State," Hambali explained. "When other governors were sacking teachers, our Governor Namadi was busy recruiting more educators because the system needed them."

A Model for All Nigerian Governors

The NUT leadership didn't stop at praise. They issued a challenge to every governor across Nigeria: come to Jigawa and learn from Governor Namadi's playbook. Hambali described him as "a teacher-governor for all governors in Nigeria."

This is the kind of leadership Nigeria needs more of. A governor who understands that investing in education means investing in the future, and who backs up his words with concrete action.

Reforms That Actually Work

Governor Namadi didn't just accept the award and move on. He used the platform to highlight his administration's key achievements, including splitting the education ministry into two separate entities to streamline policy implementation and improve efficiency.

"The first thing we did when we came here was to separate the education ministry into two, just to introduce proper structure to policy implementation," Namadi explained. "The decision has paid off, and we will continue to invest heavily in education."

Most importantly, the governor dedicated the award to the teachers themselves, recognizing them as true partners in progress. "I want to dedicate this award to our teachers for their commitment, hard work, and resilience," he said.

The Bigger Picture

This recognition comes at a time when Nigeria desperately needs success stories in governance. Governor Namadi's approach proves that with the right leadership and commitment, Nigerian states can achieve excellence in critical sectors like education.

As the NUT delegation noted, this administration's trajectory looks promising heading toward 2027, with continued investment in human capital development and teacher welfare remaining top priorities.

Nigeria, take notes. This is how you build a strong educational foundation while keeping your educators motivated and well-compensated. Governor Namadi is showing the way forward, and other leaders better pay attention.