By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani is spearheading a transformative education agenda in Kaduna State, setting
By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani is spearheading a transformative education agenda in Kaduna State, setting the stage for the historic KADA EduPACT International Summit 2025, which will be held from July 9 to 11 at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Conference Centre, Kaduna.
Described as the Chief Architect of Kaduna’s education revolution, Governor Uba Sani has, in just two years, rewritten the narrative of public education in the state, an achievement now culminating in the international summit themed, “Strategic Visioning for Educational Transformation: Developing a Kaduna State Education Model.”
Speaking at a world press conference on Monday, Honourable Commissioner of Education, Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, OON, NPOM, said the summit would not only showcase the administration’s strides, but forge a lasting commitment between government and citizens to reimagine and reform education at all levels.
“This summit would not be happening without the visionary leadership of Governor Uba Sani.
“From drastically reducing tuition fees to building schools and tackling the out-of-school crisis, the Governor has demonstrated that education is not a side agenda it is the main agenda.” Prof. Sambo said.
Among Governor Sani’s early and bold actions was the 50% reduction in tuition fees across all state-owned tertiary institutions, a move that has significantly increased enrollment in Kaduna State University (KASU), Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, and the College of Education, Gidan Waya.
In infrastructure development, the administration has, built 62 new secondary schools, with 50 more under construction, completed six long-abandoned science schools, now enrolling over 2,000 students, constructed over 600 classrooms across primary and secondary levels, launched extensive renovations to existing learning facilities.
The administration’s focus on quality is already yielding results. Between 2022 and 2024, the percentage of students obtaining five credits, including English and Mathematics, in WAEC exams surged from 68% to nearly 78%.
Governor Uba Sani’s government has made Kaduna the first Nigerian state to implement the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, creating safer and more conducive environments for learning.
A flagship initiative the Reaching Out-of-School (ROOS) Project is being rolled out across the 23 LGAs, with support from international partners including UNICEF, Islamic Development Bank, Save the Children, and Education Above All.
The project will deliver, 102 new schools and 170 renovations, professional development for teachers, a digital data system to track enrollment, retention, and progress of out-of-school children.
The administration has also cleared over $247,000 in unpaid tuition fees for Kaduna State-sponsored students abroad, including those abandoned by the previous government. This proactive measure reaffirms the Governor’s commitment to not just enrolling learners, but seeing them through.
With targeted investments in girl-child education, special needs education, and the establishment of three technical and vocational institutes in Soba, Rigachikun, and Samarun Kataf, Governor Sani’s policies are designed to leave no learner behind.
The EduPACT summit will focus on four strategic pillars, policy, Governance, and Innovative Financing, access and Retention, credible Learning Outcomes, echnology and Innovation
“These pillars are not abstract ideas—they are action points. This summit is where government, partners, and the people of Kaduna will co-create a practical, home-grown education model for the 21st century.” He said.
The event will be graced by leading voices in education and development, including: H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, GCON, UN Deputy Secretary-General (Keynote Speaker), Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, Minister of Education, Mrs. Gill Lever, OBE, Chargé d’affaires, British High Commission, Dr. Aisha Garba, Executive Secretary, UBEC.
Key partners such as, FCDO-PLANE, World Bank, UNICEF, Education Above All, and the Islamic Development Bank are all supporting the summit, reinforcing Kaduna’s role as a model for subnational education reform in Nigeria.
Commissioner Sambo concluded by calling on development partners, civil society, the private sector, and all Nigerians to support the bold vision being championed by Governor Uba Sani.
“Transformation will not come through wishful thinking. It will come through planning, action, investment and belief in our children,” he said.
As anticipation builds, Kaduna is poised to emerging from this summit, not only with a roadmap, but with the momentum, partnership and political will to make educational transformation a reality.
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