Kaduna Forges Educational Future at KADA EduPACT Summit
Kaduna State is currently hosting the KADA EduPACT International Summit 2025, a pivotal gathering aimed at revolutionizing its education sector. Running from July 9th to 11th at the Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Conference Centre, this high-level event is designed to craft a homegrown educational blueprint for the state, with aspirations of setting a national standard for other regions across Nigeria.
A United Front for Learning
The summit, under the theme "Strategic Visioning for Educational Transformation: Developing a Kaduna State Education Model," brings together a diverse array of national and international education stakeholders. Policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners are collaborating to forge an "Educational Pact" between the government and the people. This pact signifies a shared, unwavering commitment to building a results-driven education system.
Governor Uba Sani has consistently highlighted education as the bedrock of his administration's strategy to combat critical issues like poverty, unemployment, and insecurity. He sees this summit as a crucial opportunity to shift from piecemeal interventions to a unified, data-driven, and forward-looking approach that addresses the root causes of these societal challenges.
Six Pillars for a Stronger Education System
The KADA EduPACT is built upon six strategic pillars, meticulously designed to foster a resilient, inclusive, and innovative educational landscape:
Policy, Governance, and Innovative Education Financing: This pillar focuses on securing sustainable funding for education. Kaduna State has already demonstrated its strong commitment by allocating an unprecedented 26% of its 2025 budget to education, significantly surpassing UNICEF's recommended 16%.
Access and Retention: Efforts are concentrated on ensuring every child not only gains access to quality education but also remains in school. The state is actively working to reintegrate 300,000 out-of-school children into classrooms through initiatives like the Reaching Out-of-School Children (ROOSC) Project, which includes building new schools, renovating existing facilities, and distributing essential learning materials.
Credible Learning Outcomes from Quality Inputs: This pillar emphasizes enhancing the quality of teaching and learning. Investments are being made in teacher training, the redesign of curricula to cultivate critical thinking and digital literacy, and the establishment of a robust, data-driven monitoring system to track enrollment and retention.
Technology and Innovation: Embracing cutting-edge technology to deliver impactful learning experiences is a core focus.
Gender Equity and Inclusion: The summit prioritizes ensuring equitable access and participation in education for all, with a particular emphasis on girls and vulnerable children.
Resilient Education System: The goal is to build a robust and adaptable educational system, supported by strong monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure its long-term sustainability.
Commendable Progress and a Bright Outlook
Kaduna State has already made impressive strides on its educational journey. The administration successfully implemented a 40% tuition reduction across all state-owned tertiary institutions, a move that has led to a notable increase in student enrollment. Additionally, the completion of three Institutes of Vocational Training and Skills Development underscores the state's dedication to equipping its youth with practical, market-ready skills.
The KADA EduPACT International Summit represents a vital step towards developing a practical and actionable roadmap for educational transformation in Kaduna. Stakeholders are tasked with moving beyond mere discussions to produce concrete timelines, detailed budgets, and clear accountability frameworks. These measures are designed to ensure that the reforms outlive political cycles and truly fulfill the aspirations of every child in Kaduna. The Federal Ministry of Education has also voiced strong support, viewing Kaduna's comprehensive reforms as a potential model for national replication.
