By Sahel Reporters, Yola
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme, pledging continued partnership with the World Bank to enhance educational development across the state.
Governor Fintiri gave the assurance when he received the BESDA World Bank delegation at the Government House, Yola, on Tuesday evening.
He said the state government is working tirelessly to ensure the programme is properly implemented without compromise and that every benefit reaches the intended beneficiaries.
The Governor expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its sustained support but appealed for a fairer share of funding, noting that Adamawa State has suffered major educational setbacks due to insecurity, which destroyed many schools and essential infrastructure.
Governor Fintiri also expressed satisfaction that the visiting delegation did not record any negative findings during their field assessments.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in all partnership projects, promising to continue building modern schools, supporting teachers with learning tools, and accelerating delayed education programmes for the benefit of children across the state.
He urged the World Bank to expedite approvals and disbursements to ensure that ongoing education projects progress swiftly and deliver lasting impact.
While speaking with the Government House Press Crew, the World Bank Senior Economist and Team Lead for Education Programs in Nigeria, Mr. Shin Nomura, said the team’s mission in Adamawa was to assess ongoing education projects and strengthen implementation processes.
Mr. Nomura, who was on his first official visit to Adamawa, expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved under the BESDA-Additional Financing (BESDA-AF) and the Transforming Education Systems at State Level (TESTA) programmes, particularly in school construction, teacher training, and community participation.
He noted that although significant progress has been recorded, there remains one year before the programme concludes in October 2026.
He explained that the current mission aims to review achievements and ensure completion of all remaining activities within the stipulated timeline.
According to him, the World Bank’s investment in education aligns with its broader goal of human capital development, which he described as fundamental to sustainable economic growth, peace, and social stability.
Mr. Nomura emphasized that expanding access to quality education will help reduce the number of out-of-school children and shield them from negative social influences.
He commended the Adamawa State Government for its strong partnership and commitment, noting that states can achieve faster progress by learning from one another.
He also disclosed that a new initiative — the HOPE Education Program — is being introduced by the World Bank, building on lessons learned from the ongoing BESDA activities.
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