Kano State has emerged as the best-performing subnational government in the Sahel and ranked first among 209 subnational governments in education spending, while also securing second position in climate governance in the 2026 African Subnational Survey Report released by the University of Paris.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday.
The findings were announced on Saturday, September 12, 2026, during an event held at the City University, Paris, where Kano State received two outstanding awards for its performance in education financing and climate governance.
While presenting the awards, Prof. Julie Peghini, Director of the City University, Paris, and her research partner, Dr. Hicham Tojari, said Kano emerged first in education spending and second in climate governance among the 209 subnational governments assessed in the 2026 survey.
The development attracted commendation from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the UNESCO Headquarters in France, Dr. Hajjo Sani, urging other states to emulate Kano State’s commitment to education financing.
Dr. Sani said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf deserved more than an award for his consistency in allocating 30 per cent of the state’s annual budget to education.
In her goodwill message, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, also commended Governor Yusuf for his stewardship, describing Kano as a leader in education reforms across the country.
“It is a known fact that Kano is leading every other state when it comes to making the education sector a priority,” the Minister affirmed.
Receiving the two awards on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Emir of Kano, His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, highlighted some of the major achievements recorded by the administration in the education sector over the last three years.
The Emir said the achievements included the consistent allocation of 30 per cent of the state’s annual budget to education, declaration of a state of emergency in the sector, provision of teaching and learning materials, as well as extensive rehabilitation and renovation of schools across the state.
He listed the interventions to include the provision and rehabilitation of classrooms, desks, office accommodation, toilets and water facilities, among other critical infrastructure required to create a conducive learning environment for students and teachers.
According to the Emir, the sustained investment in education by the administration has earned Kano State a global reputation as a champion of education, with the state also emerging as the best-performing state in the Senior Secondary School Examination among the 36 states of the federation in 2025.
He said the recognition by the University of Paris further demonstrated that the administration’s investment in education was yielding measurable results and strengthening Kano’s position as a leading state in human capital development.
