The Kano State Government has disclosed that 875,593 children are currently out of school across the state’s 44 local government areas.
The Punch reported the figure was contained in the Kano State Out-of-School Children Survey Report 2026, presented by the state Ministry of Education during a stakeholders’ event held at the COVID-19 Hall of the ministry in Kano.
The report was unveiled on Wednesday in the presence of government officials, development partners, donor agencies, civil society organisations, traditional and community leaders, school administrators and other education stakeholders.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment of the ministry, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, the latest figure represents a decline of 113,641 children from the 989,234 recorded in UNICEF’s 2023 data.
The Commissioner for Education, Gwani Dr Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, said, “Kano State Out-of-School Children Survey Report 2026, reveals a new verified figure of 875,593 out-of-school children across the state.”
He described the reduction as a positive indication that continued government interventions and investments in education were producing results.
Makoda, however, said the number of children still outside the formal education system remained a major concern requiring stronger and better-coordinated interventions.
He explained that earlier figures were mainly estimates based on national samples and other sources, whereas the 2026 survey provided statewide, verified data broken down according to local government areas, age and gender.
The commissioner said the new information would serve as a reliable foundation for education planning, policy development, resource distribution and targeted programmes aimed at enrolling and retaining children in school.
He attributed the progress recorded to the state government’s continued investment in education under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, including the construction, rehabilitation and expansion of schools and classrooms, provision of learning materials, free uniforms and enrolment campaigns.
Makoda also identified improved education data management and collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners as key elements of the state’s efforts to tackle the challenge.
While formally presenting the report, the commissioner urged stakeholders to translate its findings into practical interventions suited to the needs of individual communities and local government areas.
He said, “With accurate data, sustained investment, strong partnerships and political will, the challenge can be significantly reduced,”
Makoda further stressed that the decline was encouraging but insufficient, noting that the continued exclusion of 875,593 children from school demonstrated the need for greater action.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to using accurate data and evidence in education planning, monitoring and resource allocation across the state.
“The dissemination of the Kano State OOSC Survey Report 2026 therefore marks a significant step towards strengthening collaboration among stakeholders and accelerating concerted efforts to ensure that every child in Kano State has access to education,” he said.
The commissioner called on parents, traditional and religious leaders, community groups, development partners and civil society organisations to support government efforts by encouraging families to enrol their children and ensure they remain in school.
