The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) has congratulated Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda, following Kano State’s emergence as the highest-ranked sub-national government in education spending across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The commendation was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of K-SAFE, Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim, ANIPR, in reaction to the release of the Sub-National Weighted Average Education Spending Index (S-WAESI).
According to the report, Kano State scored 87.21 out of 100 to rank first among 209 first-level sub-national governments across 15 ECOWAS member countries, a feat K-SAFE described as a reflection of the state’s commitment to prioritising education through increased investment, prudent budget implementation and improved governance.
The forum, a coalition of civil society organisations, academics, media practitioners, development partners and education advocates, said the recognition validates the ongoing reforms being implemented in Kano’s education sector.
K-SAFE particularly commended the state government for recording impressive performance in key indicators, including actual education spending, budget execution, education prioritisation and spending per learner.
The group also acknowledged the contributions of the Kano State Ministry of Education, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the Science and Technical Schools Board (STSB), the Kano State Senior Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSSMB), the Kano State Private and Voluntary Institutions Board (KSPVIB), development partners, school administrators, teachers, School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), civil society organisations and other stakeholders for their roles in strengthening education in the state.
While celebrating the achievement, K-SAFE urged the Kano State Government to sustain the momentum by increasing education budget allocations and ensuring the timely release of approved funds to maintain the state’s leadership position.
The forum also called for greater investment in school infrastructure, teaching and learning materials, digital education, as well as the recruitment, deployment and continuous professional development of qualified teachers across the state.
It further advocated sustained attention to foundational literacy and numeracy, girl-child education, safe schools, inclusive education and second-chance learning opportunities for out-of-school children.
K-SAFE also stressed the need for greater transparency, public accountability and citizen participation in education planning and expenditure, while encouraging stronger collaboration between government, development partners, civil society organisations, communities and the private sector to improve learning outcomes.
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Kano State Government through evidence-based advocacy, independent monitoring, policy dialogue, community engagement and strategic partnerships aimed at ensuring that investments in education translate into measurable improvements in learning outcomes for every child.
It congratulated Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Commissioner for Education Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda and all stakeholders in the education sector on the regional recognition, expressing optimism that Kano State would consolidate on the achievement and continue to make education the cornerstone of its development agenda.