Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has been honoured with the International literacy and learning leadership award in recognition of his reforms and sustained investment in education across the state.
The honour was conferred by Universal Learning Solutions (ULS) during a special ceremony at the historic Stationers’ Hall in the City of London, United Kingdom, as part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the Jolly Phonics programme in Africa.
In a statement signed by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, the award was received on the Governor’s behalf by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who represented him at the international gathering attended by education experts, policymakers and development partners from across Africa and beyond.
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According to the organisers, the award recognises Governor Yusuf’s commitment to repositioning education in Kano, particularly his administration’s decision to allocate 30 percent of the state’s budget to the sector, one of the highest education budget allocations in Nigeria.
They noted that the investment has driven wide-ranging reforms aimed at expanding access to quality education, improving literacy and learning outcomes, and ensuring that children across the state have greater educational opportunities.
Receiving the award, the Emir of Kano described education as the most effective instrument for social and economic transformation, commending Governor Yusuf for placing the sector at the heart of his administration’s development agenda.
He called for stronger collaboration among governments, communities and development partners to guarantee every child has access to literacy and quality education, irrespective of their background.
The Emir also highlighted the potential of the Jolly Phonics programme to improve literacy among Almajiri children by complementing their Qur’anic education with English reading and writing skills.
His remarks drew praise from participants, who described the address as a strong advocacy for inclusive, evidence-based education reforms capable of reaching vulnerable children.
Also speaking at the event, Universal Learning Solutions Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Gary Foxcroft, lauded Governor Yusuf’s leadership, saying his administration had demonstrated how strategic investment in education can drive long-term human capital development.
Foxcroft also described the Emir’s proposal for integrating Almajiri children into literacy programmes as “inspiring and transformational.”
Universal Learning Solutions reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its partnership with the Kano State Government by supporting the expansion of the Jolly Phonics programme, strengthening teacher capacity and improving literacy outcomes in schools across the state.
