The demarcation of the Federal Capital Territory boundary in the First Schedule of the FCT Act, No. 6 of 1976, started with a reference point, 7°E Longitude and 9°15’N Latitude, at the village called Izom. The boundary line between Niger State and the FCT actually passes through Government Science College Izom, which started as a Teachers’ Training College (TTC) by the North-Western State Government in 1975.
Subsequently, Niger State was created in 1976. In 1977, the College was transformed into Government Secondary School (GSS). Because of the importance of science in national development, a deliberate policy was made to encourage science education in secondary schools. Thus, the Niger State Government chose four secondary schools, including GSS Izom, and converted them into Government Science Colleges. At that time, similar institutions—the Dawakin Tofa and Dawakin Kudu Science Colleges in Kano State—were already producing marvelous brains in the field of pure sciences and pouring them into many of the nation’s universities.
I started my secondary school education at Izom in 1979 with admission number 642. We were made to sit for a specially prepared science examination in 1981. Those of us who passed proceeded to Form 3 in the College, where only pure sciences were taught. Ours was the second set of pure science students. Those who failed were transferred to continue their studies in other schools. Similarly, other students who passed the science examinations from other schools were transferred to Izom.
The College was selected for the program because of the standard set by Malam Muhammadu Naballa Ishaq, who became the School Principal in 1977. We had the largest school farm among the post-primary schools in Niger State. His achievements later earned him the position of Niger State Chairman of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and National Vice President before his demise in December 1984.
Alhaji Muhammadu Kolo Kutigi took over from Naballa in 1981 and made a new rule: students must have a minimum of a C grade before being promoted to the next class. Otherwise, they were repeated. That was the type of educational drilling we received in the College.
In 1982, Mr. Bulus Dauda became the Principal. At the beginning of the military regime in 1984, the Governor, Lt. Col. David Mark, paid an unscheduled visit to the school, entered one of our classes, and taught Mathematics. He was so impressed with the students’ response that he appointed Mr. Dauda as his Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development.
Between 1985 and 1989, the institution was simultaneously operated as Government Science College and Unity College Izom. The Unity College admitted its students from the then 11 Northern States, as well as from Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. However, in 1989, the Unity arm was transferred to Government College Bida.
Late Malam Musa Agwari, who succeeded Mr. Dauda as the Principal, was an indigene of Abaji in the FCT. Our Integrated Science and Biology Teacher was the Late Etsu of Kwali, Malam Shaban Nizazo. Alhaji Abubakar Sani, the present Sarkin Pai, and Alhaji Ibrahim Danladi Usman, the Late Sarkin Wako, were students in the first (1980) and fifth (1984) graduating sets of the College, respectively. Such was the caliber of old boys the College produced.
GSC Izom produced distinguished personalities in all walks of life. Some were present and former Commissioners in Niger State. Presently, two Permanent Secretaries in Niger and one in Nasarawa State are College Old Boys. The College has also produced many Generals in the Nigerian Military, both serving and retired. The College produced Professors and educational administrators in academics, including a Rector in a Federal Polytechnic and a Provost in the FCT College of Education.
Others are Managing Directors, Coordinators, Director-Generals, and Directors at both State and Federal levels, as well as in private companies. The Old Boys also include former and present Federal and State Legislators. Some of the Old Boys gained admission to foreign universities—specifically, many of the 1985 and 1986 graduating sets to the former USSR. Some relocated to America and established industries.
In 2017 and 2019, the College represented Niger State and took first place in the National Olympiad Science Quiz Competition. Unfortunately, the Niger State Government closed the school after insurgents attacked some schools. Although there was no incident at Izom, due to fear, GSC Izom was closed between 2021 and 2023 along with the others. When it was reopened, it was converted to a day school, which has definitely truncated the continuation of the academic excellence that brought glory to the State.
The initial recognition to convert the school to a science college was due to its achievements in farming culture. Fortunately, Niger State now has a Farmer Governor, and we strongly urge him to revert the College to a boarding school to restore its academic glory.
The Izom Old Boys Association was initiated by Alhaji Alhassan Salihu Zuba, the Ajiyan Zazzau Suleja, as the first National President. Over the years, the Old Boys have assisted the institution with classroom renovations, provisions of books for the library, and reagents for their laboratories. The Golden Jubilee Celebration is set for this weekend, with the commissioning of other projects in the College by the Old Boys, currently led by Professor Abdulkadir Abubakar as the National President. May the Almighty guide and assist all the promoters.
