The Sokoto State Government has approved ₦6.12bn for the construction of nine Universal Basic Education Commission prototype schools across the state’s three senatorial districts.

The government also approved several projects for the rehabilitation and construction of Juma’at mosques, daily prayer mosques and Islamic schools across the state.

The approvals were among the major decisions taken at Wednesday’s State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Government House, Sokoto.

Briefing journalists on Thursday, the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Bashir Achida, said the nine prototype schools would be distributed equally across the three senatorial districts.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at expanding access to quality basic education and providing pupils with a more conducive learning environment.

Achida said the investment underscored the administration’s determination to reposition the education sector in line with its Nine-Point SMART Agenda.

On religious infrastructure, the commissioner disclosed that “the council approved funding for the rehabilitation of existing Juma’at mosques, construction of daily prayer mosques and improvement of Islamic schools.

“The approved projects include the rehabilitation of Achida Central Juma’at Mosque at ₦221.55m and Sabon Birni Central Juma’at Mosque at ₦154.94m.

“The council also approved ₦98.24m for the construction of five daily prayer mosques in the Kwamberu area and ₦285.13m for the rehabilitation of Tureta Central Juma’at Mosque in Tureta Local Government Area.

“Similarly, ₦230.66m was approved for the rehabilitation of Kuppa Juma’at Mosque in the Gidan Sauro area.

“In the area of Islamic education, the government approved ₦166.98m for the construction of classrooms and sanitation facilities at Raddul Azzam Quranic School, Achida

“Another ₦297.66m was approved for the construction of an Islamic school in the Sabon Garin Tudun Wada area of Sokoto South Local Government Area”

The commissioner further disclosed that ₦53.94m was approved for the provision of carpets at Gada Central Juma’at Mosque.

He said the projects reflected the administration’s commitment to improving educational standards and strengthening religious institutions through the provision of critical infrastructure.

Achida added that the interventions formed part of the government’s broader efforts to promote inclusive development and extend infrastructure across communities in the state.