Kano State has proposed allocating N332 billion to education in its 2027 budget, representing 30 per cent of the state's total N1.107 trillion fiscal plan, Governor Abba Yusuf announced on Wednesday while presenting the estimates to the state House of Assembly. The allocation makes education the highest-funded sector in Kano's proposed spending plan.
Yusuf said the substantial investment reflected the administration's commitment to improving access to quality education, strengthening institutions and investing in human capital development. He highlighted achievements in the 2026 fiscal year, including the recruitment of 8,588 teachers, comprising 4,900 permanent teachers and 3,688 under the BESDA programme. The state also paid examination fees for more than 150,000 students sitting for NECO, NBAIS and NABTEB examinations and supported student participation in JAMB/UTME examinations through the provision of application forms, registration and preparatory training. Additional interventions included settlement of outstanding boarding school feeding obligations and rehabilitation of educational facilities.
The governor stated that Kano State maintained its leading position on the 2026 NECO performance chart for the second consecutive year. He committed to continuing investment in teacher development, school infrastructure, instructional materials and digital learning facilities. The 30 per cent allocation exceeds the 15 to 20 per cent of national budgets that UNESCO recommends governments devote to education, a benchmark Nigeria has frequently fallen short of at both federal and state levels.
Northern Nigeria has faced persistent challenges with low school enrolment and a high number of out-of-school children, drawing attention from federal and state governments and development partners. Teacher shortages, inadequate infrastructure and poor learning outcomes have been ongoing concerns in the region. However, proposed budget allocations do not always translate into actual spending, and budget performance in the education sector is often scrutinised by civil society groups.