The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) has announced plans to host the 12th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture and Merit Awards on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Government House, Dutse, Jigawa State.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the Foundation, Engr. (Dr.) Abubakar Gambo Umar, FNSE, the Foundation disclosed that the 2026 Memorial Lecture will be delivered under the theme: “Delivery of Equitable Access to Quality Basic Education in Northern Nigeria – A Time for Real Action.”
The statement explained that the theme reflects SABMF’s sustained commitment to promoting equitable access to quality basic education and advancing practical, results-oriented policy interventions to address long-standing educational challenges in Northern Nigeria.
The statement further announced Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, OON, MNAE, HLR, FMLA, former Honourable Minister of Education, as the Distinguished Guest Speaker for the lecture.
According to the Foundation, the Chairman of the Occasion will be His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, Executive Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), while His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, Sultan of Sokoto, will serve as the Royal Father of the Day.
The Chief Host of the event is His Excellency, Malam Umar A. Namadi, FCA, Executive Governor of Jigawa State.
To ensure a successful hosting of the programme, the statement noted that the Chief Host has constituted a high-powered Local Organising Committee chaired by the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, His Excellency, Engr. Aminu Usman, FNSE.
The programme will also be graced by the Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, alongside Governors of the nineteen Northern States, members of the National and State Assemblies, traditional rulers, senior government officials, elder statesmen, development partners, and other distinguished guests.
The Foundation stated that the Annual Memorial Lecture and Merit Awards serve as a platform to commemorate the enduring legacy and visionary leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, while recognising individuals and institutions whose contributions reflect his ideals of unity, education, equity, good governance, and selfless service to humanity.
It added that five outstanding personalities have emerged as recipients of the 2026 Sir Ahmadu Bello Annual Lifetime Achievement and Merit Awards following a rigorous selection process.
Stakeholders, policymakers, education practitioners, development partners, members of the media, and members of the public have been invited to attend the landmark national event in Dutse, Jigawa State.
PR: Khadija Kubau
