Gov Yusuf Reaffirms Sustained Investment In Education As Kano Tops 2026 NECO Again

Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in education following the state’s emergence as the leading performer in the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO).

According to a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, Kano recorded 74,413 candidates who obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.

The figure placed Kano ahead of Lagos, which recorded 72,496 candidates, and Oyo with 55,543 candidates.

The development marked the second consecutive year Kano topped the NECO performance chart, having also recorded the highest number of candidates with at least five credits, including English and Mathematics, in the 2025 examination.

Reacting to the result, Yusuf congratulated the students, teachers, parents and other stakeholders, describing the back-to-back performance as evidence that the state’s investment in education was producing measurable results.

The governor said his administration would continue to prioritise education through increased funding, improved learning facilities, teacher recruitment and training, scholarships and support for indigent students.

He disclosed that the state government spent more than N4.4 billion in 2026 to sponsor candidates for the Senior School Certificate Examination, particularly indigent students.

Yusuf said the intervention was aimed at removing financial barriers and ensuring that students participated in the examinations under better conditions.

The governor noted that education had consistently received a significant share of the state’s budget under his administration, with the allocation rising to N168.35bn, representing 31 per cent, in the 2025 budget.

For 2026, the state allocated N405.35bn to education out of the N1.478tn total budget.

He said the investment also covered classroom renovation, recruitment and training of teachers, learning materials, uniforms, scholarships and other interventions.

Yusuf dedicated the latest NECO achievement to the people of Kano, particularly students, teachers and parents, assuring that his administration would sustain its investment in the sector.

He said the goal was to build an education system capable of equipping young people with the knowledge and skills required for higher education, employment, innovation and leadership.