The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) has announced the 12th edition of its flagship event, the Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture and Merit Awards, scheduled for January 20, 2026, in Dutse, Jigawa State. The event, to be held at the Government House, represents a significant gathering for reflecting on the legacy of one of Nigeria’s founding fathers and addressing contemporary challenges in the North.
This year’s theme, ‘Delivery of Equitable Access to Quality Basic Education in Northern Nigeria: A Time for Real Action’, is a direct and urgent call to address one of the region’s most persistent developmental hurdles. The choice of theme moves beyond mere discussion to demand concrete policy interventions and implementation. The Northern Nigerian educational landscape is marked by stark disparities, including high out-of-school children rates, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-cultural barriers, particularly for the girl-child. This lecture platform aims to translate dialogue into actionable strategies for state governments and development partners.
The foundation has secured high-profile participation to lend weight and executive attention to the discourse. Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, a former Minister of Education with deep expertise in the sector’s challenges, will deliver the keynote lecture as the Distinguished Guest Speaker. The occasion will be chaired by Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, who chairs the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), ensuring the outcomes are channeled directly to the region’s leadership. The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, will serve as Royal Father of the Day, underscoring the critical role of traditional institutions in driving community-level change in education.
Host Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa will be the Chief Host, with the state government having constituted a Local Organising Committee chaired by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Usman, to ensure a successful event. The high-level attendance is expected to include the Vice-President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, as Special Guest of Honour, alongside other northern governors, legislators, traditional rulers, and development partners.
Beyond the lecture, the event serves as a platform for the prestigious Sir Ahmadu Bello Annual Lifetime Achievement and Merit Awards. The foundation announced that five distinguished Nigerians have been selected through a rigorous process to receive the 2026 awards. These awards are central to the SABMF’s mission, as they recognize individuals and institutions whose life’s work embodies the late Sardauna’s core ideals: unity, educational advancement, equity, good governance, and selfless service. By honoring such figures, the foundation reinforces the living relevance of Sir Ahmadu Bello’s philosophy in modern Nigeria.
The annual lecture and awards were instituted to commemorate the visionary leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of the Northern Region. His tenure was notably marked by a strong emphasis on educational development as the bedrock of progress. This event, therefore, is not merely a memorial but a strategic continuation of his work, adapting his vision to tackle 21st-century problems. It provides a unique confluence of policy dialogue, recognition of service, and networking for stakeholders committed to Northern Nigeria’s development.
The SABMF has extended an invitation to policymakers, education stakeholders, development partners, the media, and the general public to attend, highlighting the event’s role as a collective civic endeavor. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
