Hussaini Ibrahim 
KANO, Nigeria- The Kano State Government has entered a strategic partnership with Plan International, a UK-funded programme, to reduce the state’s alarming out-of-school children figures.
Education Commissioner, Dr Ali Haruna Makoda, confirmed the move in Kano on Wednesday while hosting a delegation led by Plan International Country Director, Mr Charles Usie.
Makoda said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had already set up a committee to address the root causes of out-of-school children, including poverty and child labour. “Kano is unique because of its population and its commercial importance in Africa. That is why your intervention in education is critical,” he told the delegation.
He disclosed that over 5,600 teachers under the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme had secured permanent and pensionable employment, with 4,000 more to be integrated this week. Despite progress, he noted significant infrastructure and resource gaps.
Usie explained that Plan International is implementing the Accelerating Basic Education Programme (ABEP) across Kano, Sokoto, and Jigawa states, targeting 324,000 out-of-school children aged 10–18. “About 60,000 children in Kano will be trained in vocational skills to either return to school or acquire employable skills,” he said.
The initiative is being piloted in five local councils—Nasarawa, Kumbotso, Gwale, Tudun Wada, and Rimin Gado—where communities have already begun to benefit.
“This project is helping children rebuild their futures, and we remain open to scaling up where necessary,” Usie added.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
