The Kano State Government has approved the release of ₦1.1 billion for the purchase of free school uniforms for all pupils entering primary one across the state.
The initiative, according to Governor Abba Yusuf’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, is aimed at boosting school enrolment, improving retention rates, and easing the financial burden on parents.
“Education is not a privilege; it is a right. This decision will reduce pressure on parents and help bring thousands of out-of-school children back into classrooms,” Dawakin-Tofa said in a statement issued on Friday in Kano.
He explained that the policy is part of the state government’s broader education reform agenda designed to provide equal opportunities for children regardless of their background.
Kano, one of Nigeria’s most populous states, has long struggled with a high population of out-of-school children. Reports by UNICEF and the Universal Basic Education Commission indicate that Northern Nigeria accounts for most of the country’s estimated 10.5 million children who are not in school, with Kano consistently among the states with the highest figures.
“The move is expected to complement other reforms we are putting in place in the education sector. It demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind,” Dawakin-Tofa added.
