Kano’s Literacy Reforms Earn Global Recognition at UK Parliament -By Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa

Kano State’s literacy reforms have received international recognition at the Parliament of the United Kingdom, where education leaders commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s commitment to transforming education through sustained investment, evidence-based policy and improved learning outcomes.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday.

The recognition came during the International Parliamentary Forum on Reading Revolution, held at the House of Lords, Westminster, London, on 23 July 2026.

The forum was supported by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Nigeria and hosted and chaired by Lord Alton of Liverpool, bringing together parliamentarians, education leaders, researchers and policymakers from the United Kingdom and Nigeria to strengthen educational cooperation between the two countries.

The event was supported by Universal Learning Solutions (ULS), the international organisation working with the Kano State Government to implement the Jolly Phonics literacy programme across the state.

Speakers highlighted how Kano has built upon the evidence that transformed reading standards in England through systematic synthetic phonics, adapting international best practice to the Nigerian context. Unlike many education programmes across Africa that depend on donor funding, Kano’s literacy reforms are financed by the Kano State Government, demonstrating a sustainable, government-led alternative to the traditional aid paradigm.
Representing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Technical Adviser on Education Reform, Dr Haladu Mohammed, told the British Parliament that education remains the number one priority of the present administration and that the Governor’s leadership has positioned Kano as a continental leader in evidence-based literacy reform.
Dr Haladu said the Governor’s sustained investment in teacher recruitment, school improvement and the implementation of Jolly Phonics had laid the foundation for significant improvements in children’s literacy across the state.

“His Excellency Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf believes that every child in Kano deserves the opportunity to learn to read. That is why education continues to receive the largest share of the State budget. Our investment in teachers, our partnership with Universal Learning Solutions and our commitment to implementing Jolly Phonics across our schools are already delivering measurable improvements in literacy. We are particularly proud that Kano became the first state in Nigeria to implement the UK’s Phonics Screening Check, providing clear evidence that our children are making real progress.”

Dr Haladu said the Government’s ambition now extends beyond formal schools.

“Through our Almajiri education reforms, we are expanding access to high-quality foundational literacy so that children in Qur’anic schools also benefit from the same opportunities to learn, thrive and contribute to the future development of Kano State.”

He added that Kano’s experience demonstrates that sustainable education reform is achieved through strong political leadership and government ownership.

“Unlike many education programmes that rely on external donor funding, Kano has chosen to invest its own resources because we believe literacy is fundamental to our future prosperity. We are honoured that the African Union has recognised Kano’s progress, and we hope our experience will encourage other states in Nigeria and countries across Africa to invest in evidence-based literacy reforms.”

Speaking at the forum, the Chief Executive Officer of Universal Learning Solutions, Gary Foxcroft, praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his vision and commitment to education.

“Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has demonstrated that when governments invest in evidence-based education reforms, lasting change is possible. Kano has become one of Africa’s leading examples of literacy reform, and we hope this is only the beginning of even greater gains, particularly through the expansion of foundational learning into Almajiri schools.”

Mr Foxcroft noted that Kano was the first state in Nigeria to implement the UK’s Phonics Screening Check, providing robust evidence of improvements in children’s reading. He said these achievements reflect the findings of the recent African Union report on foundational learning, which highlights Kano’s implementation of Jolly Phonics as an example of evidence-based literacy reform and encourages wider adoption of structured literacy approaches across Africa.

The forum also recognised the contribution of Newcastle University, particularly Professor Pauline Dixon and Professor Steve Humble, whose independent research has demonstrated the impact of Jolly Phonics in Kano, including evidence that children’s phonics knowledge transfers successfully into Hausa literacy. Tribute was also paid to Rt Hon. Sir Nick Gibb, whose leadership in championing systematic synthetic phonics in England inspired reforms now benefiting children well beyond the United Kingdom, and to Chris Jolly OBE, whose original philanthropic support enabled Jolly Phonics to be introduced into Nigeria almost twenty years ago.

The meeting was attended by education leaders from the United Kingdom and members of the Nigerian diaspora, including Mrs Hindy Mohammed, Dr Amina Abubakar, Professor Pauline Dixon and Professor Steve Humble.

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.”
He added:

“This initiative is about opportunity and inclusion. It reflects Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s determination to ensure that every child, regardless of the school they attend, has access to high-quality education. We appreciate the support of Universal Learning Solutions, Jolly Learning and our international partners, and we thank the British Parliament and the APPG for Nigeria for recognising Kano’s achievements.”

The international recognition at the UK Parliament reflects growing global confidence in Kano State’s education reforms and reinforces the State’s position as a leading example of sustainable, government-led and evidence-based literacy reform in Nigeria and across Africa.