Kaduna state Governor Uba Sani has called on northern political elites to prioritize charting a development blueprint to address the region's challenges, rather than seeking power at the center. He made this appeal when the leadership of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Kaduna. The governor emphasized the need for a collective approach to tackle the north's problems.
Governor Uba Sani highlighted the north's pressing issues, including a high number of out-of-school children, a deficit in skills-based education, and inadequate healthcare delivery systems. He expressed gratitude to the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for drawing attention to these core issues of human capital development. The governor noted that the north lacks a common agenda, which hinders its progress.
The forthcoming Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation Summit, themed "Good Governance, Industry And Creativity, as well as Sustainable Development," is timely, according to Governor Uba Sani. He commended the Foundation for leading the way in addressing the region's challenges. The summit, scheduled for October 28, 2026, will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss and develop solutions to the north's problems.
Governor Uba Sani expressed concern over the high maternal and child mortality rates in Northern Nigeria, as well as the large number of out-of-school children. He cited UNICEF statistics, which indicate that 18 million out-of-school children in Nigeria are largely concentrated in the north. The governor's administration has made efforts to address this issue, returning 360,000 children to school in Kaduna State.
Kaduna State's household-mapping approach, which identified out-of-school children, has been adopted by the Federal Ministry of Education as a model for tackling the national challenge. The governor disclosed that his administration focuses on primary healthcare, particularly for the poor and rural dwellers, while also improving secondary healthcare. He emphasized that healthcare is a fundamental right, especially for the less privileged.
Governor Uba Sani highlighted his administration's efforts in skills-based education, citing the establishment of the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development. The Institute has graduated over 4,000 artisans and tradespeople and has the capacity to train at least 30,000 youths annually. This initiative aims to reduce unemployment and enhance human capital development in the state.
The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has received 50 hectares of land from the Kaduna State government to establish the Arewa Unity University. The Foundation's efforts to promote education and development in the north were commended by Governor Uba Sani. The governor will serve as the Chief Host and Special Guest of Honour at the Foundation's summit on October 28, 2026.
Key points
- Governor Uba Sani advises northern elites to focus on development over power struggles.
- The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation Summit aims to address the north's challenges.
- Kaduna State's initiatives focus on education, healthcare, and skills development.
