The former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has criticised the state of education, healthcare, and security in Kebbi State, describing the situation as critical and in need of urgent intervention.
In a statement released on Wednesday through his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, Malami pointed that national and international reports show 67.6% of children aged 6–15 in Kebbi are out of school, while the net school attendance rate stands at just 38%, among the lowest in the country.
UNICEF data also indicates that over 88% of children live in multidimensional poverty, lacking access to basic necessities such as education, clean water, nutrition, and healthcare.
Malami further drew attention to widespread poverty, noting that over 72% of residents live below the poverty line. He also cited serious gaps in the health sector, including 81.5% malaria prevalence among children under five and that 71% of pregnant women in rural areas reportedly do not receive antenatal care.
On security, Malami’s statement referenced multiple bandit attacks and kidnappings between 2021 and 2025 that claimed numerous lives, including the abduction of the Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly.
He criticised the state government’s focus on political narratives and public relations campaigns, arguing that these efforts have diverted attention from addressing the pressing issues of education, healthcare, and security.
“Addressing these challenges is essential for the development and wellbeing of the people of Kebbi,” Malami said, urging state authorities to prioritize practical governance measures that directly improve citizens’ lives.
