Emmanuel Obi
Kano State has ranked among the highest in the latest West Africa Education Index, with the state government attributing the feat to deliberate investments in schools, teachers and learning outcomes.
The report by the West African Regional Education Observatory placed Kano ahead of several states in the region on key indicators including enrolment, teacher-pupil ratio, infrastructure and retention of girls in school.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ali Makoda, described the ranking as evidence that the education reforms are working.
“Education remains the foundation for development. This recognition reflects the commitment of the Kano State Government to expand access, improve quality and ensure no child is left behind,” he said.
According to the index, Kano recorded gains in the construction and renovation of classrooms, recruitment of qualified teachers, and the rollout of digital learning tools in public schools. The state also scored high on girl-child education and technical-vocational training.
Makoda said the government, working with UBEC, SUBEB and development partners, has prioritized accountability and community involvement to sustain progress.
“Lasting results in education come from consistent funding, proper planning and monitoring. We are building a system that delivers for every child across the 44 local government areas,” he added.
He noted that the state will deepen partnerships to address remaining gaps in learning materials, school feeding, and teacher training.
Stakeholders said the ranking positions Kano as a model for sub-national education delivery in West Africa.
