Kano State has emerged as the best-performing subnational government in the Sahel, ranking first among 209 subnational governments assessed for education spending and second in climate governance, according to the 2026 African Subnational Survey Report released by the University of Paris.
The findings were announced on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at an event held at City University, Paris, where Kano State received two outstanding awards in recognition of its performance in education financing and climate governance.
Presenting the awards, the Director of City University, Paris, Prof. Julie Peghini, and her research partner, Dr. Hicham Tojari, disclosed that Kano ranked first in education spending and second in climate governance among the 209 subnational governments assessed in the 2026 survey.
The recognition also attracted commendation from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO Headquarters in France, Dr. Hajjo Sani, urged other states to emulate Kano’s commitment to education financing.
Dr. Sani commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for consistently allocating 30 per cent of the state’s annual budget to the education sector, describing the commitment as worthy of greater recognition.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, praised Governor Yusuf’s administration for its reforms in the education sector, describing Kano as a leading state in education development in Nigeria.
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 interventions undertaken by the administration in the education sector over the past three years.
The Emir cited the consistent allocation of 30 per cent of the state’s annual budget to education, the declaration of a state of emergency in the sector, provision of teaching and learning materials, and the extensive rehabilitation and renovation of schools across Kano State.
He further listed the interventions to include the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, provision of desks, office accommodation, toilets and water facilities, alongside other critical infrastructure aimed at creating a conducive learning environment for students and teachers.
According to the Emir, the sustained investment in education has earned Kano State growing recognition as a champion of education and human capital development.
He also noted that Kano emerged as the best-performing state among Nigeria’s 36 states in the Senior Secondary School Examination in 2025.
The Emir said the latest recognition by the University of Paris further demonstrates that the administration’s sustained investment in education is producing measurable results and strengthening Kano State’s position as a leading state in human capital development.
Sign
Comrade Najeeb Nasir Ibrahim