By Usman Usman Garba
The Emir of Karaye, His Highness Muhammad Maharaz, has called on the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), development partners, philanthropists and other stakeholders to strengthen support for Nomadic Education to enable children in nomadic communities to acquire appropriate knowledge and basic education.
The Emir said greater attention should be given to the educational needs of nomadic children, particularly by providing learning opportunities that take into consideration their way of life and mobility.
He made the call while speaking at the launch of the 2026/2027 State-wide Enrolment Drive Campaign in Karaye Emirate, organised by the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
He urged relevant government agencies to work closely with traditional institutions, NGOs, development partners and community leaders to identify children in nomadic settlements and ensure that they are given access to quality and relevant education.
He made the call while launching the 2026/2027 State-wide Enrolment Drive Campaign in Karaye Emirate, organised by the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
The Emir also called for increased investment in Nomadic Education, including the provision of learning materials, qualified teachers and suitable learning facilities in areas where nomadic communities reside.
According to him, education remains essential to empowering children from nomadic communities with the knowledge and skills needed to participate meaningfully in society and contribute to the development of their communities.
He further urged philanthropists and well-meaning individuals to complement government efforts by supporting educational programmes targeted at nomadic children and other underserved communities.
The Emir also called on parents, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that all children of school age are enrolled in school, retained and supported to complete their basic education.
He urged UBEC and SUBEB to strengthen collaboration with state and local authorities in addressing barriers to education among nomadic communities and other children who remain out of school.
The Emir also called for greater collaboration between UBEC and state governments to reduce the number of out-of-school children, while urging stakeholders to support Qur’anic schools with Western education.
He directed District Heads, Village Heads, Ward Heads and Imams across the Karaye Emirate to actively support the enrolment campaign and mobilise their communities towards ensuring that children are enrolled and remain in school until completion.
The Emir commended UBEC and SUBEB for choosing Karaye Emirate to host the flag-off ceremony and urged all stakeholders to support the initiative.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of UBEC, the Kano State Coordinator, Malam Abdulrahman Musa, said the campaign was aimed at mobilising parents and communities to enrol children aged 6–11 years and facilitate the return of out-of-school children to classrooms across the state’s 44 Local Government Education Authorities.
He stressed that the campaign goes beyond initial enrolment, as it also seeks to ensure regular attendance, retention and completion, with particular attention to girls, children with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Malam Abdulrahman called on parents, traditional leaders, teachers and school administrators to support the campaign and provide safe, welcoming and conducive learning environments for children.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ali Haruna Makoda, represented by the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor on Education, Malam Haladu Muhammad, called on communities, parents, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to join hands in ensuring that all out-of-school children return to school.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that every child who has attained the age of six and is ready for Primary One is enrolled at the appropriate age.
The Commissioner said the initiative aligns with the vision of the Kano State Government under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, assuring that the Ministry of Education would continue to work with communities and traditional leaders to sustain the gains recorded in the education sector and take them to greater heights.
In her remarks, the Guest Speaker, Prof. Aisha Abdul Ismail, urged stakeholders to identify and address the challenges responsible for keeping children out of school.
She stressed the need to ensure that children who are enrolled remain in school until completion, while calling for greater attention to girls, children with disabilities and other underserved and vulnerable groups.
Prof. Aisha noted that effective collaboration among schools, Local Government Councils, traditional leaders, parents and communities was essential to achieving universal enrolment and retention.
She therefore urged stakeholders to become “Enrolment Champions” by mobilising their communities, identifying out-of-school children and supporting their enrolment, retention and successful completion of basic education.
In his vote of thanks, the Acting Chairman of SUBEB and Commissioner I, Hon. Wada Ibrahim Daho, called on parents and the general public to support the campaign by enrolling their wards in school and ensuring that they remain in school until completion.
He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his commitment to improving education in Kano State through the construction of new schools and classrooms, renovation of existing facilities, provision of furniture and teaching materials, as well as the prompt payment of salaries and promotion of teachers and non-teaching staff.