Kaduna has reduced out-of-school children by 300,000, says Gov Sani
…reveals plans to upgrade infrastructure
By Kunle Sanni
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State announced on Friday that his administration has successfully reduced the number of out-of-school children in the state by 300,000.
The governor also stated that his administration has built about 62 secondary schools, created 2,340 classrooms in primary schools, and employed new teachers.
He made this disclosure in Abuja while speaking to State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
According to UNICEF, Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children globally, with around 10 million affected, and northern Nigeria accounts for a significant portion. Kaduna State, one of the hardest-hit regions, has faced high rates of out-of-school children, exacerbated by poverty, insecurity, and inadequate infrastructure.
Data from the Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics estimates that 768,739 children are not enrolled in formal education, covering grades Basic 1 through 9.
Governor Sani stated, “We also discussed our efforts toward addressing the issue of out-of-school children in Kaduna. In the last six months, we have reduced the number by about 300,000 through the construction of 62 secondary schools and 2,340 primary school classrooms, as well as by hiring teachers.”
He added, “We have also reconstructed, remodeled, and equipped about 12 secondary healthcare centers in Kaduna State. Additionally, we are constructing 62 roads totaling about 700 kilometers across the state, with some already completed and commissioned, while others are ongoing.”
“We’ve also procured about 100 CNG buses in Kaduna State, which we are inviting the President to come commission. All these initiatives align with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Governor Sani noted that his administration has adopted measures to reduce the cost of governance in the state.
“We embarked on significant adjustments; we made it clear that reducing the cost of governance in Kaduna State is essential. To date, we have not purchased a single vehicle for any government official. This has been instrumental in our efforts.”
“We’ve reduced the allowances of all Commissioners and Advisers, including my own salary, which I have received at half since assuming office. I have not used a single new vehicle as Governor. These measures are essential to address our challenges and enhance key sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure,” Governor Sani explained.