About the Ministry
The apex body for education in Zamfara State.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) is the apex policy-making, coordinating, and supervisory body for education in Zamfara State. Our mandate is to ensure the provision of qualitative, accessible, and equitable education from early childhood to tertiary levels, while integrating science and technology into the educational framework to drive socio-economic development.
Our mandate
Drawn from the Ministry's policy framework and the Permanent Secretary's 2026 briefing.
Formulate and review state education policies in line with national frameworks.
Prepare the state education budget and ensure prudent allocation of resources.
Manage the Education Management Information System (EMIS) for evidence-based planning.
Conduct monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance across schools and agencies.
Implement the national curriculum from early childhood to tertiary level.
Coordinate WAEC, NECO and NABTEB examinations for public-school candidates.
Source: Briefing Note to the Hon. Commissioner, MoEST (March 2026).
Mission
Provide accessible, equitable and quality education from early childhood to tertiary level, integrating science and technology to drive socio-economic development.
Vision
A Zamfara where every child has access to a safe, quality learning environment, and where science, technology and innovation power the state's future.
Values
Integrity, excellence, equity, accountability and a relentless focus on the learner — across all 14 LGAs.
Leadership
Office of the Permanent Secretary
The Ministry is led politically by the Honourable Commissioner and administered by the Permanent Secretary, Maryam Yahaya Shantali, the Ministry's accounting officer responsible for day-to-day management and policy implementation. Directors of nine directorates oversee the technical work.
Working documents
Strategic plans currently guiding the Ministry's work.
2023 – 2032
Zamfara State Education Sector Plan (SESP)
UNICEF supported
2024 – 2026
State Education Strategic Operational Plan (SESOP)
UNICEF supported
2025 – 2034
Zamfara State Development Plan (ZSDP)
ZSMBEP
Challenges & priorities
Strategic challenges identified for sustained intervention.
Insecurity
Banditry and kidnapping leading to school closures, displacement and a climate of fear — the most critical challenge.
Out-of-school children
Zamfara has one of Nigeria's highest rates, driven by poverty, cultural factors and insecurity.
Poor infrastructure
Many schools lack classrooms, furniture, perimeter fencing, safe water and sanitation.
Teacher quality & shortage
Critical shortage of qualified teachers, especially in science, mathematics and technical subjects.
Low transition rates
Transition from primary to secondary and from secondary to tertiary remains low, especially for girls.
Funding constraints
Available resources are insufficient for the massive infrastructural and operational needs.
Source: Briefing Note to the Hon. Commissioner, MoEST (March 2026).