Jigawa Increases Auxiliary Teachers’ Allowance from ₦30,000 to ₦40,000, Sparks Jubilation

The Jigawa State Government has approved a new pay rise for non-permanent teachers in the state, raising their monthly allowance from ₦30,000 to ₦40,000. The development, which was confirmed on Thursday after a meeting of the State Executive Council, has triggered widespread jubilation among the beneficiaries, many of whom described the increment as a life-changing relief. The affected category of teachers, popularly referred to as J-Teach, consists mainly of graduates engaged on temporary contracts to support the state’s basic and secondary education system. According to government officials, the increase is part of a broader reform agenda aimed at tackling the shortage of teachers, boosting classroom performance, and motivating young graduates who have been supporting public schools despite not holding permanent positions. The news quickly spread across communities and social media platforms, with videos and testimonies of beneficiaries celebrating what they described as “tears of joy.” Teachers expressed gratitude to the state government for recognizing their struggles and making efforts to cushion the impact of economic hardship. For many of them, the ₦10,000 increment represents not only an increase in take-home pay but also a sign of renewed value for their work. In his reaction, an official of the state education ministry noted that the decision was in line with Governor Umar Namadi’s commitment to repositioning the education sector. He explained that the allowance adjustment complements other measures such as teacher recruitment drives, capacity-building programmes, and the confirmation of several temporary staff into permanent and pensionable positions. Over the past year, Jigawa State has rolled out a series of bold interventions to revive its education sector. These include declaring a state of emergency in education, prioritising foundational literacy and numeracy, and channeling more resources toward teacher training and school infrastructure. The new allowance increment is expected to further strengthen morale among non-permanent teachers who form an important support base in the state’s schools. Reactions from stakeholders have, however, been mixed. While teachers and community leaders welcomed the move as timely and commendable, some education analysts cautioned that the increment should not be seen as an end in itself. They argued that more sustainable policies are needed, including ensuring that all teachers receive permanent, pensionable employment and improved training opportunities to raise the quality of instruction. For now, though, the mood in Jigawa remains celebratory. Non-permanent teachers across the state say the raise is a motivation to continue giving their best in classrooms, even as they look forward to greater recognition and permanent employment in the future.