The United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in a meeting with Katsina State Governor, Bello Masari, on Monday task the Katsina state government to to invest in free education and encourage it up to the secondary school level.

UNICEF representatives present at the meeting were gathered together to renew their push for increased girl-child education in northern Nigeria.

The UNICEF officials, as well as gender activists were particularly drawn from nine states in northern Nigerian which include: Bauchi, Niger, Kebbi, Adamawa, Borno, as well as Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina states.

Meanwhile, Governor Masari estimated that his administration needs about N45b to reposition the education sector in the state.

The Governor highlighted the requirements when he received a team from the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) stating that about 13,000 classrooms need to be constructed while at least 15,000 teachers need to be employed.

In response, he noted his administration’s commitment to achieving the vision, stating that to that end, careful planning and judicious application of resources are essential.

Adding that low school enrollment is a major concern for his administration.