In a resounding affirmation of its transformative agenda, Kano State has been crowned Nigeria’s Best Education-Driving State at the prestigious Daily Independent Newspaper’s 70th-anniversary Platinum Jubilee Public Lecture and Awards.
The honour, bestowed during a high-profile ceremony in Lagos, recognizes the state’s outstanding commitment and practical reforms in the Universal Basic Education sector, positioning it as a national benchmark for educational development.
The event, themed “Free Primary Education in Nigeria: Past, Present and Future,” served as a confluence of the nation’s top policy makers, educationists, and private sector leaders.
The gathering included the representative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Osun State Governor Chief Bisi Akande, and a host of other dignitaries, including commissioners from several states, all united in their focus on advancing Nigeria’s basic education system.
Accepting the award, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi, provided a compelling breakdown of the state’s strategic and financial investment that earned it the top spot. He revealed that education is not just a priority in theory but in tangible allocation, with 29% of the state’s 2024 budget and 31% of the 2025 budget dedicated to the sector—the highest such allocation in the country.
“Education is the key to development, and we cannot afford to miss out,” Abdullahi stated, emphasizing the collaborative effort between federal and state governments.
The commissioner attributed this success to the state of emergency declared in education by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, a move that has catalyzed major reforms and yielded visible results. He pointed to the state’s impressive performance in national examinations, where Kano recently ranked first nationwide in the NECO examinations, as a direct outcome of these policies.
Detailing the grassroots impact, Abdullahi disclosed an unprecedented local government investment.
Each of Kano’s 44 local government councils received ₦300 million specifically for classroom construction and renovation. Furthermore, each councillor was allocated ₦10 million to execute community-based education projects, a strategy designed to ensure that development reaches every corner of the state.
“This reflects the governor’s serious commitment to ensuring every child in Kano has access to quality learning facilities,” he added.
The state’s educational overhaul extends beyond basic education. The commissioner also highlighted ongoing upgrades in tertiary institutions, noting that universities like the North Belt University and Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology are securing new accreditations and expanding their academic programs.
With a clear trajectory from primary school to university, Kano State has sent a powerful message that its investment in education is holistic, strategic, and already delivering exceptional results.
