Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, has sacked Babaji Babadidi as the Executive Chairman of the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and appointed Associate Professor Esrom Toro Jokthan as his successor, effective immediately.
The decision, announced by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, takes effect from Friday, October 31, 2025, in accordance with Section 22 (4) of the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (Amendment) Law, 2011.
Professor Jokthan, a seasoned academic and education administrator, is expected to deploy his vast experience in advancing the Yahaya administration’s ongoing reforms in the education sector, particularly in strengthening the quality and inclusiveness of basic education across the state.
Governor Yahaya, while appreciating the outgoing chairman, Mr. Babadidi, for his service and dedication, reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to revitalizing the education system as part of his broader human capital development agenda. He expressed confidence that the new appointee would build upon existing achievements to further improve the delivery of functional and accessible education in Gombe.
In a related development, the Governor has also approved the constitution of a Task Force on the Revitalization of Basic Education to drive comprehensive reforms and ensure improved learning outcomes in primary and junior secondary schools.
The Task Force, chaired by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Aishatu Maigari, includes distinguished educationists such as Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, Mataimaki Tom Maiyashi; Engr. Dr. Muhammad Nuru Yakubu, and Dr. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe, a statement by governor’s media aide, Isma’ila Uba Misilli on Saturday says.
The newly appointed SUBEB Chairman, Professor Esrom Toro Jokthan, will serve as Secretary, while the Permanent Secretary, Special Services and Political, will act as Assistant Secretary.
According to the SSG’s statement, the Task Force is mandated to conduct a holistic assessment of the current state of basic education in Gombe, propose actionable strategies, and recommend reforms to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and quality in the sector.
