Kano Constructs 130 New Schools Through AGILE Project – Commissioner of Education

The Kano State Government has announced plans to construct 130 new schools across the state through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project.

Dr. Gwani Ali Haruna Makoda, the Commissioner of Education, made this known at the Kano State Education Sector Joint Steering Committee Meeting, held in Kaduna from Saturday, 22nd to Sunday, 23rd February 2025.

Makoda stated that the construction would include 75 Junior Secondary Schools and 55 Senior Secondary Schools across the state.

The Commissioner also highlighted the state government’s introduction of digital literacy programs through the AGILE and IDEAS projects.

He lamented that the previous administration had neglected the education sub-sector, leaving behind dilapidated infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and an inadequate number of teachers.

In his address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Malam Baffa Bashir, stated that the meeting aimed to review Kano State’s key education priorities for 2025-2026 and align them with strategic objectives.

The Permanent Secretary further mentioned that the meeting would also deliberate on the Kano Recovery Plan, the 14-point education reform agenda, and provide insights on the Kano Education Strategic Plan (ESP), the Mutual Accountability Framework, Curriculum Reform, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) roadmap for 2025-2030.

In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Yusuf Kabir, speaking on behalf of all parastatals under the Ministry of Education, assured their full support and cooperation with the Commissioner of Education.

The Executive Chairman of SUBEB described the deployment of Gwani Makoda to the Ministry of Education as a blessing to the state.

Delivering a goodwill message at the event, the Kano State Project Coordinator of AGILE, Malam Mujittapha Aminu, stated that the AGILE Project is a five-year World Bank intervention implemented through the Federal and Kano State Ministries of Education.

The Project Coordinator explained that the three components of AGILE are aligned with the Education Sector Plan and the Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS).

On his part, the member representing Kiru in the Kano State House of Assembly, Usman Abubakar Tasiu, assured the Assembly’s full support for the education sector in Kano State.

Prof. Auwalu Halilu, Chairman of the Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE), stated that the coalition is supporting the Ministry of Education and its parastatals in school monitoring and advocacy.

He recalled that as an accountability platform, they had appealed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to declare a state of emergency on education when he assumed office, and he responded positively.

Highlights of the event included goodwill messages from representatives of the Kano State House of Assembly, FCDO, PLANE, UNICEF, PLAN International, AGILE, and IDEAS projects.