Kano State has emerged as the top state in Nigeria for education funding in the 2026 fiscal year, earning national recognition and an Award of Excellence at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Education Summit held in Abuja.

At the summit, hosted at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja, Kano’s allocation of over N400 billion—representing 30% of the state’s total 2026 budget—was hailed as a new national benchmark for education financing. The theme of this year’s summit was “Pathways to Sustainable Education Financing: Developing a Synergy Between the Town and Gown in Nigeria.”

The Kano State delegation was led by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who also serves as Commissioner for Higher Education. He was joined by the Commissioner of Education, Gwani Dr Ali Haruna Makoda, alongside heads of major education agencies and representatives from the private sector.

Kano also participated as a Golden Sponsor of the summit, signalling its deepening commitment to educational reform.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by former FCT Minister Mallam Aliyu Modibo, described the summit as a crucial platform for diagnosing gaps in the Nigerian education system and exploring sustainable solutions. His remarks aligned with Kano’s renewed focus on addressing structural challenges and improving learning outcomes through robust investment.

Kano’s unprecedented education budget is part of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s broader agenda following the declaration of a State of Emergency in the education sector. The proposed funding is targeted at large-scale infrastructure upgrades, enhanced teacher training, and a system-wide overhaul to ensure quality, accessibility, and inclusivity across the state.

In his presentation, Commissioner Makoda highlighted the scope of Kano’s education system, noting that the state manages over 12,000 public basic and secondary schools with an enrollment of more than 5.2 million students—figures surpassing those of several states combined. He emphasised the need for increased support and investment from development partners, given the scale of the system.

The two-day summit drew stakeholders from across Nigeria and beyond, including international development partners. Kano State was honoured with an Award of Excellence, marking the culmination of the event and reaffirming its leading role in education financing.