Kano literacy reform earns global recognition
Kano State’s literacy reforms have received international recognition at the United Kingdom Parliament, with education experts and policymakers praising the state government’s investment in evidence-based education and improved learning outcomes. The recognition came at the International Parliamentary Forum on Reading Revolution held at the House of Lords, Westminster, London, where participants highlighted Kano’s literacy programme […]
Kano State’s literacy reforms have received international recognition at the United Kingdom Parliament, with education experts and policymakers praising the state government’s investment in evidence-based education and improved learning outcomes.
The recognition came at the International Parliamentary Forum on Reading Revolution held at the House of Lords, Westminster, London, where participants highlighted Kano’s literacy programme as a model for sustainable education reform in Africa.
The forum, supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Nigeria and Universal Learning Solutions (ULS), brought together parliamentarians, researchers and education stakeholders from Nigeria and the UK to strengthen educational cooperation.
According to a statement by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, participants commended Kano for funding its literacy reforms with state resources rather than relying on donor support, describing the approach as a sustainable alternative for improving education across the continent.
Representing the governor, the Technical Adviser on Education Reform, Dr Haladu Mohammed, said education remains the administration’s top priority, with the largest share of the state budget devoted to the sector.
He said the government’s investment in teacher recruitment, school improvement and the implementation of the Jolly Phonics programme had led to measurable improvements in children’s reading ability.
Mohammed noted that Kano became the first state in Nigeria to adopt the UK’s Phonics Screening Check, providing evidence of progress in pupils’ literacy.
He added that the government was extending the programme to Qur’anic schools to ensure more children acquire foundational literacy skills.
Chief Executive Officer of Universal Learning Solutions, Gary Foxcroft, described Kano as one of Africa’s leading examples of literacy reform, attributing the progress to the governor’s commitment to education.
The forum also recognised research by Newcastle University, which found that the Jolly Phonics programme had significantly improved pupils’ reading skills, including literacy in Hausa.
Participants said Kano’s experience demonstrates that sustained political commitment and government ownership are essential for lasting education reforms across Africa.
Speaking during the forum, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Sani Auwal, welcomed the Government’s commitment to extending Jolly Phonics into integrated Qur’anic schools through the Almajiri education reforms.
“The integration of Qur’anic schools presents a historic opportunity to improve literacy and numeracy across Kano while preserving our religious heritage. By introducing Jolly Phonics as part of foundational learning, children in Almajiri and integrated schools will gain the reading skills they need to succeed in both religious and secular education.”
Universal Learning Solutions (ULS) is an international organisation working with the Kano State Government to implement the Jolly Phonics literacy programme across the state.