By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Kano Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved over N1 billon for the provision of uniforms to all pupils admitted into primary one for the 2025/2026 academic session in the state.
A statement by his Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, indicated that the gesture was part of Governor Yusuf’s desire to tackle the menace of out-of-school in the state.
Bature said Kano State Government has taken a bold step towards reducing the high number of out-of-school children by approving the procurement of free school uniforms worth over ₦1.1 billion for primary one school pupils.
Speaking on the initiative, Governor Yusuf described the gesture as part of his administration’s comprehensive education reform agenda aimed at boosting enrollment, improving retention, and ensuring equal opportunities for children regardless of background.
“We recognize the burden many parents face in meeting the needs of their children. By providing uniforms to new pupils, we are not only easing that burden but also sending a strong message that education is a right, not a privilege,” Yusuf said.
He further explained that the intervention would serve as a strategy to attract children roaming the streets into classrooms, thereby curbing the out-of-school crisis that has continued to pose a challenge to the state and the nation at large.
According to Bature, the initiative is also expected to complement other education reforms recently introduced by the Governor Yusuf administration, including the renovation of dilapidated schools, provision of teaching materials, and recruitment of teachers.
“With Kano ranking among the states with the highest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, the government’s new move is seen as a step in the right direction towards addressing one of the most pressing educational challenges in the country.
“This initiative was flagged off in 2024 and to be repeated in 2025 as part of the fulfilment of the campaihn promises of the Kwankwasiyya Gida Gida administration,” the Statement added.