Muhammad Sabiu, Author at Tribune Online

The Kaduna State Government is set to host a high-level international education summit, EduPACT 2025, from July 9 to 11, which will bring together global development partners, government agencies, and education stakeholders to co-create a homegrown and inclusive education model. Themed “Strategic Visioning for Educational Transformation: Developing a Kaduna State Education Model,” the summit will take place at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Conference Centre in Kaduna and is backed by key partners including the United Nations, British Government (FCDO), World Bank, UNICEF, Islamic Development Bank, Save the Children, and Education Above All. Addressing a world press conference, the Commissioner of Education, Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, said the event is not just another conference but “a forum where ideas will be generated, and the government will follow through with prompt decisions in order to enhance human capital development.” Professor Sambo paid tribute to Governor Uba Sani, describing him as “not only the Chief Host of this summit but the Chief Architect of the education revolution that is quietly but firmly taking root across our state.” “In just two years, Governor Uba Sani’s administration has re-written the narrative of education by enacting policies and programmes that are expanding access to education and providing a conducive learning atmosphere,” he said. One such policy was the Governor’s first Executive Order, which slashed tuition fees in all state-owned tertiary institutions by 50%. According to Sambo, “The reduction in school fees increased student enrolment at Kaduna State University (KASU), Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, and the College of Education Gidan Waya.” The commissioner further highlighted infrastructure milestones, stating: “He has built 62 new secondary schools in the last two years and 50 new ones are being constructed… More than 600 classrooms have been constructed and many others are being renovated.” Sambo also noted improved exam performance: “In WAEC, candidates with five credits including English and Mathematics rose from 68.0% in 2022 to 77.9% in 2024.” Kaduna has become the first Nigerian state to implement the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools (NPSSVES), underlining its commitment to secure learning environments. “This shows the commitment of this administration to providing safe and secure learning spaces,” he emphasised. Through the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROoS) Project, the state, backed by international partners, is building 102 new schools, renovating 170, and developing a digital system to track enrolment and retention. “The first of its kind among sub-nationals,” Sambo said, “this project will ensure no child is left behind.” He also revealed that “Governor Uba Sani recently cleared all outstanding tuition fees owed to foreign universities by Kaduna State-sponsored students, totalling \$247,235.84.” ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE