Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has praised Alhaji Aliko Dangote for committing 25% of his wealth to charitable causes, describing the move as a historic step for human development and a benchmark for philanthropy in Africa.
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The information was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday. The statement noted that Governor Yusuf made the remarks during an event at Eko Hotels, Lagos, which brought together top national leaders, including the Vice President, governors of Kano, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Borno, as well as the Ministers of Education.
At the event, the Aliko Dangote Foundation unveiled a N100 billion education support plan aimed at reaching 155,000 students across Nigeria and shared a ten-year strategy to spend up to N1 trillion to benefit 1,325,000 children, focusing on out-of-school learners.
Governor Yusuf welcomed the initiative, noting that its focus on access, teacher training, and educational infrastructure aligns with Kano’s ongoing education reforms under the state of emergency in the sector. He highlighted achievements in the state, including the recruitment of over 13,000 teachers, the rehabilitation of schools, reduction of overcrowded classrooms, distribution of desks, and provision of scholarships and reduced tuition fees for students.
He also emphasized plans to conduct a statewide survey to identify out-of-school children and integrate Qur’anic schools into formal learning centers. The governor applauded the allocation of N15 billion by the Foundation to upgrade Aliko Dangote University, Wudil, to international standards, saying it would enhance access, improve quality, and strengthen global competitiveness.
Governor Yusuf reaffirmed Kano State’s vision for education: “Every school a good school, every child enrolled in school, every student an engaged learner, every teacher a caring educator, every parent a supportive partner, and the government as a committed investor in human capital development.”
He noted the state government’s key actions, including recruiting over 13,000 teachers, providing hundreds of overseas scholarships, halving tuition fees for state university students, rehabilitating 1,358 secondary and technical schools and 5,200 primary schools, installing 250 boreholes, constructing 28,264 classrooms, 300 laboratories, and 820 toilet units, and conducting a survey for out-of-school children to ensure inclusivity.
Governor Yusuf expressed optimism that Kano State will continue to collaborate with the Aliko Dangote Foundation to achieve these shared educational goals.
