From Mustapha Saye, Kaduna
The Kano State Government has once again reaffirmed its commitment to improving the standard of educational development across the state.
The Kano State Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Haruna Ali Makoda, disclosed this in Kaduna shortly after endorsing a document on Married Adolescent Girls and Adolescent Mother Advocacy by ACE Charity, with support from the Malala Fund.
The event, which brought together stakeholders and development partners in Kaduna, focused on strengthening policies and interventions aimed at supporting girls’ education and addressing barriers faced by married adolescent girls and young mothers.
Dr. Makoda stated that the Kano State Government has earmarked a substantial allocation in the 2026 budget to strengthen the education sector, with particular emphasis on expanding access for girls and other vulnerable groups.
According to him, the initiative aligns with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s agenda to revitalize education at all levels from basic to tertiary through increased funding, infrastructure development, teacher training, and scholarship programmes.
He commended ACE Charity and the Malala Fund for their continued advocacy and partnership in promoting girl-child education and addressing the challenges confronting married adolescent girls.
Dr. Makoda further assured that the state government would continue to collaborate with development partners and civil society organizations to ensure that no child is left behind.
“We are determined to make Kano a model for inclusive and quality education in Nigeria. Investing in our adolescents, especially girls, is investing in the future of our state,” Makoda stated.
Also speaking at the event, the Senior Programme Manager of ACE Charity, Dr. Hassana Shuaibu, said education is a right and not a privilege.
She explained that the endorsement of the ACE document by stakeholders in collaboration with the Kano State Government brought together teachers, religious leaders, health workers, government officials, and young girls themselves to ensure full implementation of the framework.
According to her, their collective input shaped the National Guidelines Document, a yellow-bound booklet now signed by stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Education.
She noted that the document is practical and action-oriented, as it provides clear steps on how married adolescent girls can re-enroll in school without stigma, how schools should provide safe spaces for young mothers, and how consent and cost-tracking mechanisms can prevent girls from being denied access to education.
Dr. Shuaibu emphasized that policy must translate into practice in every classroom, adding that the signed document demonstrates the importance of placing married adolescents and adolescent mothers at the center of education reforms.
