Zamfara Govt Forces Three Directors Into Retirement, Suspends Others Over Teachers’ Recruitment Scandal

The Zamfara State Government has sent three Ministry of Education, Science and Technology directors on compulsory retirement for unlawfully removing 36 legitimately recruited teachers and replacing them with their candidates for selfish reasons.

Those affected are the Director of Finance and Account, Sani Muhammad Jangeru; the Director of Administration, Usman Abubakar Maradun; and the Director of Planning, Research & Statistics, Garba S. Yamma.

The decision was reached on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, during a disciplinary meeting convened by the Senior Staff Management Committee of the Office of the Head of Service in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Teachers’ Service Board, and the Ministry of Finance.

An investigation by the Ministry of Education confirmed the misconduct and revealed that the 36 teachers were among 127 approved by the governor.

The affected directors must also “refund the January 2025 salary paid to the 36 purported teachers.”

Other officers involved in the scandal were handed various punishments: “6-month suspension from service without salary; ii. Remain pooled at their respective MDAs for one year without posting; Reduction of ranks by 2 grade levels.”

According to a statement, the meeting was chaired by the Head of Service, Yakubu Sani Haidara, and attended by the Commissioner for Education, Mal. Wadatau Madawaki; Chairman of TSB, Muhammad Aliyu Tukur Anka; and other top officials.

At the end of the meeting, the Head of Service said: “This action was taken to call the affected officer to order and as well serve as a deterrent to others.”

“Civil servants in the State should imbibe the culture of sincerity, selflessness and contentment in the discharge of their responsibilities to safeguard their careers and integrity,” he urged.