Kano Education Reforms Earn Gov Yusuf British International Literacy Award

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has received the International Literacy and Learning Leadership Award in recognition of his administration’s education reforms and commitment to improving learning outcomes in the state.

The award was presented by Universal Learning Solutions during a ceremony at the historic Stationers’ Hall in the City of London, United Kingdom, as part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of Jolly Phonics in Africa.

The governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Yusuf, who was absent at the event, was represented by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who received the award on his behalf at the gathering of education experts, development partners and policymakers from across Africa and beyond.

According to the organisers, the award recognised the governor’s commitment to education, particularly his decision to allocate 30 per cent of the state’s budget to the sector, one of the highest education budget allocations by any Nigerian state.

They noted that the administration’s sustained investment had driven reforms aimed at expanding access to quality education, improving literacy and learning outcomes, and ensuring that every child in Kano has access to education.

In his acceptance remarks, Sanusi described education as the most effective tool for social transformation and commended Yusuf for placing it at the centre of his administration’s development agenda.

The Emir also advocated the expansion of the Jolly Phonics programme to Almajiri children, saying it could build on the Arabic literacy they acquire through Qur’anic education while equipping them with English reading and writing skills.

Speaking at the event, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Learning Solutions, Gary Foxcroft, praised Yusuf’s leadership, saying the governor had demonstrated how sustained investment in education could drive human capital development.

Foxcroft also described the Emir’s proposal to integrate Almajiri children into literacy programmes as inspiring and transformative.

Universal Learning Solutions reaffirmed its partnership with the Kano State Government, pledging continued collaboration to expand the implementation of the Jolly Phonics programme, strengthen teachers’ capacity and improve literacy outcomes across schools in the state.