AMID THE poor educational deficit bedevilling Kano State, the governor of State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has promised to lavish a sum of 10 million on Buhari Sanusi Idris, a Kano-born student who emerged as the winner of the National Qur’anic recitation competition under Male Category to Saudi Arabia.
The competition drew participants from various states at the 38th National Competition held in Birnin Kebbi State.
Expressing his delight and plan, Governor Yusuf stated that a Haij slot had been gifted to Buhari Sanusi right from the time of his emergence as the winner at the state level and national candidate of the competition.
The governor noted that the Hajji gift is a token of appreciation for his remarkable achievements.
He proudly declared that Kano Remains the “Home of the Qur’an,” reaffirming the state’s leading role in Islamic scholarship and excellence in Qur’anic recitation.
Teething educational problems N10 Million Hajji Fund Can Address – Experts
Findings by The Explainer showed that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has pegged the 2025 fare at 10 million for intending pilgrims which is the amount promised to the Kano-born winner of Qur’anic reciter.
Although Hajj is considered one of the pillars of Islam and Muslims across the globe pilgrim to Saudi Arabia annually, the educational deficits of Kano State revealed the need for the state government.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has given a statutory 95,000 pilgrims allocation to Nigeria with each pilgrim expected to pay at least $6000 to cover costs of transportation, accommodation and feeding, during the period of the Hajj exercise.
Speaking to The Explainer, the lead researcher of Pol Eco Analytics, an Abuja-based think tank, Folarin Olamilekan, stressed that the amounts about to be lavished on student airlift to Saudi would have provided more for the educational sector in the state and address its teething challenges.
He further explains that the money would additionally provide seats for at least 35 students, appreciating the gesture of Kano State government in deepening Qur’anic recitation skills and knowledge among students.
“Interestingly, also the N10 million from a direct procurement can make provisions of reading books, teaching material that includes marker board, lesson plans and lesson note materials, instructional material such as colour paddy for drawing, art and painting teaching, all that would improve cognitive of basic schools pupils”, he said to The Explainer.
“And this amount can cater for at least 60 to 100 pupils for a whole section if it well manage without abuse”.
Adding that knowledge and skills are paramount for youths in the state and Nigeria, Olamilekan explained that the knowledge gained from such investment could enhance and sustain their livelihood and support for the family.
“The money is better used for the education of youths in Kano state at this point than any other frivolous activity that would have no direct impact on the people and state at Large.
Funding education is very critical to youth in Kano state, especially building their capacity for the future challenge and adventure.”
He acknowledged the role of religion in society as well the place of Hajj as a spiritual exercise for Muslims, stressing that our government must encourage to focus on the physical status of the people, especially the welfare that includes education as a primary and urgent necessity.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommended that 15–20% of national budgets be allocated to education in order to meet Sustainable Development Goal 4.
The Explainer noted that between 2020 to 2023, Kano earmarked 15–21% of its budget on education; however, in the 2024 budget, which was ₦421.53 billion, this decreased to barely 3%.
Even if Kano satisfies the UNESCO standard early the rising problem of out-of-school children might not be addressed by this cut according to The Explainer.
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Similarly, Temitope Omogbolagun, founder and Director of Operations, at Girls Beyond Reach Education Foundation while interacting with this reporter noted that the future of Nigeria lies in equipping the next generation with quality education.
She says, “The recent promise by the Governor of Kano State to sponsor the winner of a Qur’anic competition for Hajj, with the cost of the trip estimated at N10 million, raises an important conversation about the allocation of resources for the development of education, particularly for marginalized communities”.
“While the gesture of sponsoring a student to Hajj is commendable, it’s essential to consider how those same funds could be used to make a more significant, Looking at the potential for educational improvement, she noted that the N10 million allocated for the Hajj trip could go a long way in addressing the severe shortage of classrooms in many parts of the country”.
Miss Omogbolagun expressed that it is not new that in several rural areas, children are forced to learn in dilapidated structures or under trees, where basic learning materials are non-existent.
“With N10 million, at an average cost of N1 million per classroom (depending on the design, location, and materials), at least 10 new classrooms could be built in underserved communities. This could provide a safe, conducive learning environment for hundreds of children, especially girls who are often excluded from educational opportunities due to cultural and economic barriers. By creating spaces for learning, we can reduce overcrowding and ensure that students have access to a conducive environment where they can thrive.
“In many primary and secondary schools across Nigeria, students lack basic educational materials such as textbooks, notebooks, pens, and computers.This deficiency significantly hampers their learning experience. With N10 million, a substantial amount of educational materials could be provided for schools in need, especially in rural and underfunded areas”.
She added that many schools in rural areas suffer from a lack of sanitation facilities, potable water, and even furniture. The N10 million could be used to renovate existing schools, build new facilities such as libraries and science labs, and ensure that students have access to safe, clean, and comfortable environments.
“While sponsoring a student to Hajj is a meaningful gesture, the N10 million could be used to create far-reaching change within the education sector, particularly for those who face the greatest barriers to accessing education. By building classrooms, providing essential educational materials, offering scholarships, and investing in the overall quality of education, we can ensure that more children, especially girls, are given the opportunities they deserve to succeed and contribute positively to society.
“At Girls Beyond Reach Education Foundation, we continue to work tirelessly to bridge the gap in education for marginalized girls, and we urge policymakers and government officials to prioritize the use of funds in a way that directly addresses the root causes of educational inequity. The future of Nigeria depends on investing in the education of all our children, and with the right resources, we can make that vision a reality.
“These scholarships could cover school fees, uniforms, and other essential needs, ensuring that the children who need it most are not left behind. The success of education depends largely on the quality of teachers”, she noted.
Misplaced Priority: 10 Million Hajji Trip Can Provide 30,000 Notebooks
Analysis by The Explainer showed that there are a plethora of issues that can be addressed in the education sector with the 10 million naira gifted trip by the Kano State governor.
Putting the fund in context The Explainer analysed the number of writing materials like exercise books, pencils and biro that this sum can provide.
Investigation showed from Konga, an E-Commerce website showed that a pack of 40 Leaves Vistaline Exercise Books cost N4,000. This pack contains 12 pieces of exercise books.
By calculation, The Explainer analysis showed that the 10 million naira can buy 2500 packs of exercise books. With 12 pieces of exercise books in a single pack, our findings showed that Kano State governor can provide thirty thousand for public school students.
Additional Reporting by Adedokun Theophilus
