By Aminu Garko
Kano – July 25, 2026 – Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has received the International Literacy and Learning Leadership Award in recognition of his leadership and commitment to transforming education in Kano State.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
The award was presented by Universal Learning Solutions, ULS, during a ceremony held at Stationers’ Hall in the City of London, United Kingdom, as part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of Jolly Phonics in Africa.
The award was received on behalf of Governor Yusuf by Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, who represented the governor at the event attended by education experts, development partners and policymakers from Africa and beyond.
According to the organisers, the award recognises Governor Yusuf’s investment in education, particularly his decision to allocate 30 per cent of Kano State’s budget to education, one of the highest education budgetary commitments in Nigeria.
The organisers said the governor’s investments were driving reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes, expanding access to quality education and ensuring that every child in Kano had the opportunity to succeed.
In his acceptance remarks, the Emir of Kano described education as the most powerful tool for social transformation and commended Governor Yusuf for placing education at the centre of his administration’s development agenda.
He said governments, communities and development partners must work together to guarantee every child’s right to literacy and quality education, regardless of background or social status.
The emir also highlighted the potential of the Jolly Phonics programme in strengthening literacy among Almajiri children by building on their existing Arabic literacy acquired through Qur’anic education while equipping them with English reading and writing skills.
His address received wide acclaim from delegates, who described it as a call for inclusive and evidence-based education reforms capable of reaching every child.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Learning Solutions, Gary Foxcroft, praised Governor Yusuf’s leadership and commitment to investing in children through education.
He said Governor Yusuf’s education reforms demonstrated what was possible when political leadership placed learning and human capital development at the heart of governance.
Foxcroft also described the emir’s vision for integrating Almajiri children into literacy programmes as inspiring and transformational.
Universal Learning Solutions reaffirmed its partnership with the Kano State Government, pledging continued collaboration in expanding the implementation of Jolly Phonics, strengthening teacher capacity and improving literacy outcomes across schools in the state.
The international recognition reinforces Kano State’s growing reputation as a centre for education reform in Africa, following global commendations for the administration’s investment in improving access to quality education.
