Despite injected funds, unexecuted projects dot Sokoto College of Education
In May and June 2024, this reporter embarked on a mission to ascertain the status of some of the 2022 Sokoto State projects at the Shehu Shagari College of Edication.
These projects include: ‘Rehabilitation of male and female hostels; Renovation of staff quarters and the Provost House; Renovation of the College Clinic; Rehabilitation of Access Roads; and Provision of Furniture to Lecture Halls and Theaters.’
They were all placed under the Ministry of Higher Education.
The Sokoto State College of Education known as the Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) has a rich history dating back to 1970, when it began as Advanced Teachers College (ATC) and notably is the first Advanced Teachers College fully owned by any state in Northern Nigeria.
However, UDEME discovered from interviews with students and staff that it has faced significant challenges in recent years despite substantial budget allocations for infrastructure improvement.
Rehabilitation of male and female hostels
In the 2022 Sokoto State budget, N150 million was approved for rehabilitating male and female hostels.
The look of the male renovated hostel by the Federal Ministry
Photo: Hussain Wahab
As this reporter walked through the male hostel premises, a stone’s throw from the female hostel, some students were engrossed in their books on the spacious veranda, preparing for their examinations, while others were cooking in the courtyard of the newly rehabilitated male hostel.
Sufyan Ibrahim, a 200-level Technical Education student, recounted their (students) struggle before the renovation of the male hostel – how lack of potable water, poor power supply and a shortage of accommodation posed challenges.
“Gaskiya, the advantages of this rehabilitation cannot be overemphasised. Before, we used to go to ‘Rija Gonogo’ every day, about 1– 2 kilometres away, in the bush, to fetch water,” he said.
However, while the male hostel has seen some improvements, the existing female hostel remains in a bad state.
Female Hostel at Shehu Shagari COE
Photo: Hussain Wahab
Aisha, a resident of the female hostel, said no rehabilitation has been carried out on the female hostel. She said, “Nothing has been rehabilitated in the female hostel.”
Balikis Ibrahim, (not real name) told this reporter that most of the blocks in the female session were not given attention and during rainfall— it causes water to seep into the room from the leaking roofs.
“Although the school renovated some blocks. We need water and toilets because not all the blocks have toilets,” she added.
A school official also confirmed that the state government has not rehabilitated the existing female hostel.
“The rehabilitation (male hostel) was funded through the NEEDS assessment fund 2023. Other projects in the school are TETFUND Projects except for the ongoing new construction of a female hostel for a degree programme, which is a state government project,” the Director of Works, M.N Abdullahi told the reporter.
‘Renovation’ of Staff Quarters and Provost House
On a sunny June afternoon, this reporter first visited the staff quarters, which should have been renovated.
A dilapidated building at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Staff quarters Photo: Hussain Wahab
Despite N50 million earmarked for the renovation of the staff quarters and the Provost House according to the budget, multiple visits and interviews revealed no renovation was done.
A lecturer, who did not want his name in print as he was not authorized to speak to the press, told this reporter in July that the ”staff quarters are neglected and left in disrepair”.
He said that despite the country’s hardship, ”they (staff) often use their hard-earned salaries to fix whatever needs attention, particularly during the rainy season”.
“‘Look at this dilapidated building,” he pointed out. “It has been in this state for months, with no attention or maintenance whatsoever. What is worse is that some lecturers do not have accommodation on campus, and the government has not built new staff quarters or renovated the existing ones. That’s the situation we’re facing,” he said.
The reporter also noticed the general disrepair of facilities in the quarters.
Renovation of College Clinic
Apart from the renovation of staff quarters and the Provost House, another notable project is the renovation of the college clinic, with a sum of N10 million as captured in the budget.
However, Asmau Attairu, the head of the clinic, confirmed the arrival of new equipment and furnishing over the past few years.
The School Clinic
Photo: Hussain Wahab
The reporter learnt that the clinic was renovated from funds the state government gave the school for an ‘accreditation exercise’.
The director of works also said part of the fund given for the accreditation exercise was also spent on the ‘’renovation of education, library arts, etc’’. When this reporter asked for the amount, neither the Registrar nor the Director of Works could give the exact figure.
However, further investigation revealed that N150 million was budgeted for the ‘accreditation exercise’ as captured in the 2023 Approved Sokoto State Budget while N120 million was released in 2022.
No rehabilitation of access roads
It was learnt that another critical project was the rehabilitation of access roads within the college. Inspections and interviews revealed no rehabilitation of existing roads, only land ‘scraping’ of some areas.
The director of works said the ‘land scrapping’ was done from the funds released for the 2023 accreditation exercise.
“As said by the provost, there are no new roads,” he stated, adding that most projects are from the Federal Government/TETFUND.
Provision of furniture to lecture halls and theatres
N25 million was allocated to provide new furniture to lecture halls and theatres. Yet, the reporter did not see any new furniture in the classrooms and theatres visited. The existing pieces were old and ageing.
Some of the students who spoke with the reporter said there was no provision of new furniture to the various lecture halls.
Copy of FOl request sent to the Parmanent Secretary
Expert weighs in
Research shows that lack of facilities and equipment affects teaching and learning.
Nuhu Ishaq Lawal from the Department of Science Education, Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State, said the absence of adequate learning and teaching facilities profoundly impacts students’ academic performance.
“The lack of well-furnished staff quarters negatively affects the morale of administrative heads and academic staff, hindering their ability to effectively deliver their duties while poorly maintained lecture halls and theatres create an unfavourable learning environment.
“Inadequate and overcrowded hostel accommodations discomfort students, hindering their ability to focus and learn. Conversely, a well-equipped college clinic is essential in maintaining a healthy environment, conducive to effective learning and teaching, as good health is a prerequisite for successful academic pursuits.”
He said governments at all levels should not abandon institutions of learning.
“They (government) should construct additional hostels and renovate existing ones. Upgrade college clinics and medical facilities with modern equipment and good drugs. These improvements will create a conducive learning environment and support the well-being of students and staff,” he said.
Efforts
Efforts were made by the reporter to ascertain the status of the funded projects by reaching out to officials. The efforts were largely unsuccessful.
The Director of Works, Mr Abdullahi, who had been contacted earlier, directed this reporter to the Registrar, stating, ”You should meet the Registrar first at the administrative block. If he gives me the go-ahead, I am willing to render assistance.”
After several efforts, another letter was re-addressed to the school on Friday, June 14. The Registrar acknowledged the letter and ordered Mr Abdullahi to attend to the reporter.
Mr Abdullai simply said most of the projects are TETFUND funded. When asked about the amount received for the ‘accreditation exercise’, and details of the various rehabilitation works and funds released, he declined comments.
The Provost, Umar Tambari, confirmed that the school received an undisclosed amount of funds for ‘’general renovations’’ and for ”accreditation exercise”. He said other ongoing projects were from TETFUND except for the ongoing construction of a female hostel.
Ministry of Higher Education
An attempt to seek further clarity on the status of the identified projects from the Commissioner for Higher Education in Sokoto, Aminu Abdullahi, on June 14 was not successful.
On June 20, this reporter attempted to obtain comments from Bello Sodangi, Permanent Secretary of Higher Education, regarding the project details. He requested a formal letter.
In response, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request was sent to his email and a follow-up on WhatsApp on June 21, seeking specific information on:
– Releases made for the projects
– Amounts released
– Contractor names and contacts
He has yet to respond to these enquiries as of the time of filing in the report despite reading all the WhatsApp messages sent to him.
This story was supported with funding from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
By Hussain Wahab
