In a renewed effort to tackle the rising number of out-of-school children, the Kano State Government has approved the sum of ₦1,147,582,000 for the purchase of free school uniforms for newly admitted Primary One pupils in the 2025/2026 academic session.
Kano, one of the states with the highest out-of-school population in Nigeria, views this initiative as a critical step toward addressing one of the nation’s most pressing educational challenges.
The approval was confirmed in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and made available to journalists in Kano. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf described the intervention as part of his administration’s broader education reform strategy aimed at increasing enrollment, improving retention rates, and promoting equal opportunities for children regardless of family background.
“We understand the financial strain many parents face in providing for their children. By offering free uniforms, we are not only easing that burden but also reinforcing the message that education is a fundamental right for every child,” the governor stated.
Governor Yusuf further explained that the gesture would serve as a tool to attract children off the streets and into classrooms, helping to reduce the out-of-school crisis that continues to challenge both Kano State and Nigeria as a whole.
The initiative complements other reforms recently introduced by the administration, including the renovation of dilapidated schools, provision of learning materials, and recruitment of new teachers.
Originally launched in 2024, the free uniform program is being sustained in 2025 as part of the Kwankwasiyya Gida Gida administration’s commitment to fulfilling its campaign promises and strengthening the state’s education sector.
