The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, has revealed that despite notable improvements in budgetary allocations for the education sector in Kano State, challenges in funding remain, hindering efforts to address the state’s educational crisis.
Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano disclosed this on Friday during a media parley to mark the International Day of Education (IDE) 2025.
Farah highlighted the situation of basic education in Kano, along with neighboring Jigawa and Katsina states as alarming.
He pointed out that while budgetary allocations for education have seen improvements, actual releases and expenditures have not kept pace with the needs of the sector.
“Although budgetary allocations have improved in recent years, exceeding the UNESCO benchmark in states like Kano and Jigawa has not been the case,” Farah said.
“This gap in financial allocation and its practical disbursement continues to impede the effectiveness of educational reforms in the region.”
According to him, Kano’s education crisis requires more than budgetary allocations.
“Addressing the education crisis in Kano requires more than just increased budgetary allocations. While funding is essential, effective implementation and actual spending of allocated funds are equally crucial.
“The challenge lies not only in the appropriation of resources but in the actual release and utilization of these funds and this needs to be addressed,” he stated.
In response to these challenges, UNICEF revealed that it has been supporting various initiatives aimed at improving access to education, including cash transfers for vulnerable families, school enrolment campaigns, and investments in school infrastructure.
UNICEF’s efforts also extend to improving the quality of education through teacher training, the supply of learning materials, and the promotion of digital literacy among students.
Despite these interventions, Farah emphasized that sustained, adequate funding, releases and stronger accountability are essential for the education sector to meet the needs of children in Kano and its neighboring states.