The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Agency for Mass Education, Dr. Binta Abubakar, has rejected allegations by the Kwankwasiyya Movement over the agency’s reported zero capital expenditure in the first half of 2026, insisting that the government has supported its programmes through equipment procurement, vocational training, expansion of learning centres and digital literacy initiatives.
The controversy followed a statement by the Kwankwasiyya Movement’s spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed, who questioned the implementation of the agency’s capital budget after an analysis of budget documents allegedly showed that it had a capital allocation of ₦1.4 billion for 2026 but recorded no capital expenditure between January and June.
The movement also questioned the agency’s performance in 2025, claiming that although ₦716 million was allocated for capital projects that year, only ₦37 million was released.
However, the movement acknowledged that figures showing zero recorded capital expenditure do not, on their own, establish that funds were diverted or misappropriated. It called on the state government and the agency to provide transparent explanations of budget releases, projects, implementation records and measurable outcomes.
Responding to the allegations, Dr. Binta maintained that substantial resources had been made available for the agency’s activities, including the procurement of equipment worth more than ₦90 million for the introduction of new vocational trades and other training programmes within the time frame.
She said the agency had been implementing skills-development initiatives in different parts of the state, including solar installation, cosmetics, cosmetology, beauty care and food production.
According to her, the programmes were designed to equip participants with practical skills that could improve their economic opportunities, while extending vocational education beyond Kano metropolis to rural communities.
She cited training activities in Tudun Wada and Doguwa local government areas, where equipment supplied to centres included gas cookers and materials for food preparation and preservation.
Dr. Binta also explained that the agency initially planned to enrol no more than 300 trainees at each centre.
However, she said some communities requested higher enrolment, prompting the agency to expand participation in collaboration with local stakeholders.
She specifically cited Gwarzo, where a local forum reportedly approached the agency for an increase in the number of trainees, leading to the doubling of enrolment at the centre.
The Executive Secretary said the agency had also invested in training equipment and other facilities to support the introduction of new trades.
On the expansion of educational opportunities, Dr. Binta disclosed that she inherited 63 vocational and literacy training centres when she assumed office.
She said the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf subsequently established 222 additional centres, bringing the total number of centres under the agency to 285 across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
The centres, she explained, provide opportunities for literacy education, vocational training and alternative learning for people who may have missed formal schooling.
She also highlighted partnerships with development organisations, including UNICEF and Save the Children, to expand access to education for out-of-school children and other excluded learners.
According to her, 101 learning centres were established in collaboration with Save the Children, and the state agency continued managing the centres after the agreed period of the organisation’s support ended.
She added that the agency had also worked with UNICEF to establish and sustain learning centres in different communities.
Dr. Binta further disclosed that more than ₦80 million had been secured through ESSPIN/Intellect support to establish and operate learning centres targeting out-of-school populations.
The funding, she said, formed part of efforts to widen access to education among children and other residents requiring alternative educational opportunities.
On the scale of the out-of-school population, the Executive Secretary referred to earlier assessments that had placed the number of out-of-school children and other excluded learners in Kano at between one million and two million.
She also claimed that subsequent assessments had recorded a substantial reduction in the numbers.
In one account of her explanation, she reportedly said the figure had fallen to just over 800 statewide from the previous 2 million people stated in the UNICEF report.
Dr. Binta also identified digital literacy as an emerging priority, saying information and communications technology facilities had been introduced in nearly all major learning centres.
She disclosed that plans were underway to move towards computer-based testing, paperless learning and digital examinations (Securing WAEC and NECO CBT Centers), initiatives intended to modernise educational delivery and equip learners with relevant digital skills.
Beyond the learning centres, the Executive Secretary said the agency regularly organises capacity-building workshops for Area Education Officers, directors and instructors working across the state’s 44 local government areas.
She said government support had also extended to staff welfare, monitoring allowances and operational funding to facilitate programme implementation.
Dr. Binta further stated that the agency submits funding requests three times a year to support management and monitoring activities across its centres. According to her, the requests had been approved and released when due.
She also disclosed that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf approved more than ₦5 million for the repair of cars and motorcycles used by Area Coordinating Officers to monitor activities at the centres.