The Kaduna State Government has rejected criticism from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Alhaji Isa Mohammed Ashiru, over Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to education, insisting that the administration has consistently invested a significant portion of the state’s resources in the sector.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, made the position known in a statement on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, urging Ashiru to base his criticism on accurate and verifiable information.
Maiyaki specifically disputed Ashiru’s claim regarding international benchmarks for education funding. He explained that the Education 2030 Framework for Action recommends allocating between four and six per cent of GDP or at least 15 to 20 per cent of total public expenditure to education.
According to the commissioner, Kaduna allocated 25 per cent of its total budget to education in 2024, increased the allocation to 26.14 per cent in 2025, and earmarked 25 per cent of its N985.9 billion 2026 budget for the sector.
He said the 2026 allocation amounts to approximately N246.5 billion, arguing that the figures demonstrate the administration’s sustained commitment to education.
GOVT HIGHLIGHTS EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENTS
Maiyaki said the government’s spending had translated into improvements across basic education, tertiary institutions and vocational training.
He noted that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) had recognised three Skills Development and Vocational Training Centres established by the administration as among the best-equipped and structured facilities in the country.
The commissioner also disclosed that Kaduna’s out-of-school children population had reportedly dropped from more than 550,000 to 187,719 over the past three years.
He attributed the reduction to increased enrolment campaigns, infrastructure development and sustained investment in education.
According to him, the Kaduna model has also attracted the attention of the Federal Government in its efforts to develop national programmes targeting skills development and the out-of-school children crisis.
KASU RECEIVES GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
On Kaduna State University (KASU), Maiyaki listed several financial interventions by the state government.
He said more than N800 million had been provided for staff welfare, while N146 million was released to address withheld salaries and SIWES-related obligations.
The government also provides a monthly intervention of N50 million, while more than N200 million was allocated for overhead expenses in 2026.
Maiyaki added that over N300 million had been committed towards the accreditation of 57 academic programmes and resource verification for 60 postgraduate programmes.
He said the interventions had contributed to the successful accreditation of seven professional programmes and the development of the university’s Digital Learning Centre.
The commissioner further disclosed that more than N1.6 billion had been committed to scholarships and other student-support initiatives, alongside a 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees across state-owned tertiary institutions.
He argued that the measures contradicted claims that the administration was not sufficiently committed to education.
GOVT DEMANDS PROOF OF MASS RESIGNATION CLAIM
Maiyaki also challenged allegations that about 200 professors and academic staff had resigned from KASU because of poor working conditions.
He called on those making the claim to provide the names of the affected academics, their resignation dates and the reasons they gave for leaving the university.
While acknowledging the role of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), KASU chapter, in advocating for improved welfare, Maiyaki said the state government remained open to constructive dialogue.
However, he maintained that implementing Federal Government-ASUU agreements in state-owned universities required careful consideration of legal, financial and institutional implications.
The commissioner said the Kaduna Government remained committed to strengthening education while urging political actors to ensure that public debate was based on facts rather than unverified claims.
