FG Commends Kano for Dedicating 32% of Budget to Education, Recruiting 16,000 Teachers

The Federal Government has praised the Kano State Government for allocating 32 percent of its budget to education and recruiting 16,000 teachers over the past three years, describing the achievements as one of the strongest commitments to education and human capital development by any state in Nigeria.

The commendation was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during a ceremony in Kano where appointment letters were presented to 4,900 newly recruited teachers and 3,688 Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) Cohort V facilitators. The minister emphasized that qualified teachers remain the backbone of every successful education system and urged the newly employed educators to approach their responsibilities with dedication, integrity, and professionalism.

Addressing the new recruits, Alausa described teachers as the most valuable contributors to society because of their role in shaping future generations. He encouraged them to nurture students with patience, commitment, and excellence, stressing that the quality of education children receive today will determine Nigeria's future social and economic development.

The minister reminded the teachers that their appointments came with significant responsibility, urging them to justify the confidence placed in them through hard work and effective classroom instruction. According to him, the success of any education reform depends largely on the quality and commitment of teachers.

Alausa also applauded Governor Abba Yusuf for making education a top priority, noting that Kano's decision to commit nearly one-third of its annual budget to the sector demonstrates a genuine determination to invest in the state's future. He pointed out that while some states have gone decades without recruiting teachers, Kano has added 16,000 educators within just three years, describing the move as a major investment in developing responsible citizens who will contribute positively to Nigeria and the global community.

Beyond teacher recruitment, the minister praised Kano State's continued investment in educational infrastructure, including the construction of smart schools, new secondary schools, road projects, and solar-powered street lighting. He said these developments reflect a leadership focused on improving the quality of life for residents while creating a stronger foundation for future generations.

During his visit, Alausa inspected the Tarda Smart School in Ungogo Local Government Area, where he reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to expanding technology-driven education across the country. He explained that smart schools are essential for preparing students with the digital skills and knowledge required to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.

The minister also visited Bayero University, Kano, before commissioning the newly completed Government Girls Secondary School in Dangwaro. The project is expected to improve access to quality education for girls while supporting ongoing efforts to increase female enrollment and reduce educational inequality.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Abba Yusuf described the recruitment exercise as another milestone in his administration's education reform agenda. He said employing 4,900 permanent teachers alongside 3,688 BESDA facilitators is aimed at ensuring schools across the state have qualified and committed educators capable of improving learning outcomes.

According to the governor, the initiative is about far more than creating jobs. He explained that strengthening the teaching workforce is a direct investment in the future of millions of children whose dreams depend on access to quality education. Yusuf reaffirmed that education remains the cornerstone of his administration's development strategy because every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential through effective teaching and modern learning environments.

Governor Yusuf also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Education, and various development partners for supporting Kano's ongoing education reforms and helping improve learning opportunities across the state.

The Federal Ministry of Education has continued implementing nationwide reforms focused on improving teacher quality, reducing learning poverty, strengthening literacy and numeracy, expanding digital education through smart schools, and increasing equitable access to quality education. Recent initiatives include nationwide learning assessments in primary and secondary schools, upgrades to digital infrastructure in federal unity colleges, and expanded collaboration with state governments to improve classroom instruction.

Kano's latest teacher recruitment exercise forms part of broader reforms designed to expand school infrastructure, improve access to education for girls, and strengthen the Better Education Service Delivery for All programme, which focuses on enrolling and retaining out-of-school children. The initiative also supports the Federal Government's broader efforts to address Nigeria's learning challenges by increasing teacher availability and improving the quality of education delivered in classrooms across the country.