Kano records 875,593 out-of-school children in 2026

The Kano State Ministry of Education has disclosed that the state recorded 875,593 out-of-school children (OOSC) in the 2026 survey report.

The ministry’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu-Yakasai, in a statement issued on Friday, August 14, 2026, quoted the Kano State Commissioner for Education, Dr Ali Haruna-Makoda, as disclosing the figure while presenting the dissemination of the Kano State 2026 out-of-school children survey report.

Haruna-Makoda said the latest figure represented a reduction of 113,641 equivalents to 11.5 per cent, compared with the 989,234 out-of-school children recorded in the 2023 UNICEF data.

Haruna-Makoda described the reduction as encouraging evidence that sustained interventions and investments in the education sector were yielding positive results.

The commissioner, however, said the number of children still out of school underscored the need for renewed and coordinated efforts.

He said: “Previous figures were largely estimates derived from national samples and other sources. The 2026 OOSC figure is based on a rigorous state-wide survey.

“The survey provides verified and disaggregate data by Local Government Area, age and gender.”

Haruna-Makoda said the new data would provide a credible baseline for evidence-based educational planning, policy formulation, resource allocation and the design of targeted interventions to enrol, retain and support children outside the formal education system.

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The commissioner attributed the progress recorded to the commitment of the Kano State Government’s increased investment in education.

Haruna-Makoda noted that enrolment drive, strengthening of education data and information management systems, and collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners were key components of the state’s efforts to address the challenge.

Haruna-Makoda urged starkeholders to use the findings to develop practical and sustainable solutions tailored to the needs of communities and local government areas.

He said the reduction was encouraging but that the number of children still out of school showed that more needed to be done.

The commissioner called on parents, traditional and religious leaders, communities, development partners, and civil society organisations to intensify support for government efforts by encouraging families to enrol and keep their children in school.