Bauchi State’s Neglect Of Education And Health: A Call For Urgent Action, by Yasir Shehu Adam

Bauchi State is facing a serious decline in both the education and health sectors. Having experienced three different administrations, it is clear that the current government is not prioritizing these essential areas for development.
Under Malam Isa Yuguda’s leadership, the state made significant strides in healthcare by sponsoring 40 students to study medicine abroad, with the expectation that they would return to serve the state. One of the beneficiaries, Dr. Usman Musa Sulaiman, now works at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital. However, the current administration has failed to sponsor even a single student to study medicine, whether abroad or within Nigeria.

Similarly, Barrister M.A. Abubakar’s administration also contributed to health education by sponsoring Bauchi indigenes to study at institutions such as Garu Institute College of Medical Technology, Malikiya College of Medical Technology, and College of Health Technology in Ningi. Yet again, the current administration has not provided such opportunities.

Reports show that Bauchi State has fewer than 20 medical doctors, and no steps have been taken by the government to resolve this critical shortage. This is a major issue that requires immediate attention.

The education sector has also been neglected. Before this administration, Bauchi’s educational system was rated at higher standards, but that figure has now dropped to lower standards. Schools across the state lack proper infrastructure, with many classrooms in poor condition, lacking benches, and providing an overall unconducive learning environment. Previous governments supplied exercise books to schoolchildren in both primary and secondary schools, but this administration has not continued this practice.

Bauchi State has the highest number of out-of-school children in northern Nigeria, yet the government has done little to address this crisis. Instead, it has focused on projects like building flyovers, which many see as unnecessary. While infrastructure development is important, the priority should be on roads that are truly needed, such as those in rural areas like Lush and surrounding villages.

The current administration’s failure to address the pressing issues in the health and education sectors is a missed opportunity. These are the foundations of a prosperous future, and without serious intervention, Bauchi State’s development will remain stagnant.

This article was penned by Yasir Shehu Adam (Danliman), a young journalist and writer from Bauchi.