World Teachers’ Day: Kano Governor Vows Continued Investment in Kano Teachers, Education

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare, professional development and working conditions, saying supporting teachers amounts to investing in the future of the state.

The governor stated this in a message delivered by the Secretary to the Kano State Government (SSG), Umar Farouk Ibrahim, at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Kano.

Governor Yusuf said his administration had fulfilled its commitment to recruit more teachers, improve the learning environment and strengthen the education sector through the construction and renovation of classrooms, provision of furniture and teaching aids, and investment in teachers’ intellectual and professional development.

He also highlighted increased budgetary allocations to education over three consecutive years, saying the recent improvement recorded by Kano in National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations was one of the visible results of the government’s interventions in the sector.

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The governor said his administration recognised teachers as essential to the development of society, noting that every profession, including medicine, engineering, law, science and administration, begins with teachers.

He said supporting teachers should go beyond annual celebrations to include continuous professional development, adequate teaching and learning resources, improved infrastructure, fair remuneration, career progression and restoration of the dignity of the teaching profession.

“Supporting teachers is an investment in development. We are conscious of this, and we will continue to do that throughout the tenure of the administration,” Yusuf said.

The governor also acknowledged the challenges confronting the education sector, including large class sizes, inadequate resources, increasing workloads and changing curriculum demands.

He said the peculiar population and infrastructure pressures in Kano required sustained efforts by the government, adding that his administration was prepared to address the challenges.

Yusuf said the government was also promoting greater participation of teachers in education policy and encouraging them to embrace technology and modern teaching methods while preserving the human values at the heart of education.

He urged teachers, parents and guardians to intensify efforts to protect children from drug abuse, warning that the scourge posed a serious threat to the future of young people.

The governor said the state government had established a multi-agency task force on drug abuse and rehabilitation and called on teachers to join the campaign against the sale and consumption of illicit drugs in schools and communities.

He also commended development partners for their support to the state’s education sector and assured them of the government’s continued commitment to its obligations.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kano State Wing, Comrade Baffa Ibrahim Garko, commended the state government for what he described as significant interventions in education, including regular salary payments, implementation of promotions, provision of teaching and learning materials and school infrastructure projects.

Garko, however, called for further measures to improve teachers’ welfare, including addressing salary disparities between primary and secondary school teachers.

He also urged the government to upgrade eligible teachers on Grade Level 15 to Grade Level 16, particularly those serving in senior administrative positions, to ensure they retire with appropriate directorate-level status and benefits.

The NUT chairman called for the implementation of outstanding promotions and their financial benefits, improved welfare packages and a review of the Secondary Schools Upkeep Programme to ensure adequate resources for maintenance, sanitation, furniture and instructional materials.

He further appealed for the provision of an official bus for the union and proper payment of principals’ duty posts and allowances, given the responsibilities attached to their positions.

Garko also urged the Kano State Government to consider declaring October 5 a public holiday in recognition of the contribution of teachers to education and society.

While making the demands, the NUT chairman urged teachers to reciprocate government’s efforts by remaining punctual, professional and committed to their duties.

He said teachers must see themselves as mentors and role models, while protecting the dignity of the profession and avoiding unethical conduct.

The 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration was held under the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing the Status, and Shaping Our Future.”

The event brought together government officials, education administrators, teachers, parents, students, labour leaders, development partners and other stakeholders in the education sector.