The federal government, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), has launched a new bilingual school in Kano State, a move the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described as a “practical investment in human capital development, social inclusion, and regional stability.”
The initiative, part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to expand access to quality, inclusive, and future-oriented education, particularly for communities needing targeted interventions.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, held in Kiru local government area of Kano state, Professor Ahmad emphasised the importance of bilingual education in strengthening foundational learning, improving communication, preserving cultural identity, and enhancing global competitiveness.
She noted that the school will allow students to gain both Islamic and conventional knowledge, empowering them to access wider resources and participate confidently in their communities.
The project is a key component of the $98 million Bilingual Education Project (BEP) funded by the IsDB, which will see 30 new schools built across nine states, including Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Osun.
Kano State has four of the model schools, located at Doguwa, Ganduje, Ungoggo and Kiru which was commissioned on Tuesday.
Each school has the capacity to accommodate over 1,000 students and is equipped with comprehensive facilities, including administrative and academic blocks, hostels, a multipurpose and dining hall, staff quarters, a vocational skills centre, a mosque, perimeter fencing, a water project, and other essential amenities.
The Minister commended the IsDB for its commitment to education development in Nigeria and across the Islamic world, and praised the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for its coordination.
Professor Ahmad urged the school management, education authorities, and the host community to take ownership of the new facility to ensure it is not a wasted investment.
She also called for the provision of proper ventilation, in-person laboratories, and learner-centered teaching to ensure the school delivers a valuable impact for its students, whom she called “the true beneficiaries of this investment.”
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba, said the bilingual schools are conceived to integrate English and Arabic literacy with modern pedagogy, Technical and Vocational Education, ICT-driven learning, and safe boarding facilities.
“These schools embody our shared commitment to expanding equitable access to quality basic education for all children, especially those who are out-of-school or vulnerable within our communities,” she said.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Kano, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, who represented Governor Abba Yusuf at the ceremony, thanked the federal government, UBEC and IsDB, saying the investment will open doors of opportunities, knowledge and national goals.
