The UK Government, through the British High Commission in Nigeria, commended the Kaduna State Government for its bold and strategic efforts to reposition the state’s education sector. Speaking at the opening of the KADA EduPACT International Summit 2025 in Kaduna on July 9, the Chargé d’affaires British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs. Gill Lever OBE, reaffirmed the UK’s longstanding commitment to education reform in Nigeria.
The Chargé d’affaires and British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs. Gill Lever OBE, said “The UK and Kaduna State have built a strong partnership over the years, and the Kaduna State Mutual Accountability Framework is a clear sign of the government’s commitment to inclusive, high-quality education for all children. Through our PLANE programme, we’ve worked closely with Kaduna State to improve foundational learning, teacher quality, and inclusive education. So far, nearly 3,800 teachers have been trained across 699 schools reaching over 387,000 pupils. Together, we’re helping to bring out-of-school children back into learning. This summit is a great opportunity to share ideas and strengthen collaboration. The UK remains committed to supporting Kaduna’s vision for an education system that works for every child.”
The KADA EduPACT International Summit, themed “Strategic Visioning for Educational Transformation: Developing a Kaduna State Education Model,” is a high-level three-day event (July 9–11) bringing together key stakeholders across the education ecosystem. The summit aims to catalyse lasting reforms that will position Kaduna State as a centre of educational excellence in Nigeria. The event was formally declared open by the Executive Governor of Kaduna State. In his executive address, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, CON stated:
“This summit marks a significant milestone in our ongoing quest to build a stronger, more inclusive, and future-ready education system in Kaduna State. Today, we shift from fragmented interventions to a unified, data-driven, and forward-looking educational strategy—one that places our children and youth at the centre of our development vision.
“When I assumed office as Governor in May 2023, we made it abundantly clear that education would be the cornerstone of our administration. We see it not merely as a sector to be managed, but as a powerful tool for individual empowerment and societal transformation. We believe a peaceful, prosperous, and secure society is built on the solid foundation of accessible, equitable, and high-quality education”.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, graced the occasion as a distinguished guest, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmad.
Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa said that:
“This KADA EDuPACT International Summit comes at a pivotal moment, one where our country and indeed the global community must decide how boldly we are willing to invest in the next generation, This Summit provides a platform for charting a clear, bold, and inclusive course for educational transformation, not just for Kaduna State, but as a model for other subnational entities across Nigeria.
The Keynote Address was delivered by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed. In her address, she commended the Kaduna government for helping to turn a global promise in education into local progress by reducing barriers and expanding access to quality education.
“These efforts are especially important now, as many education systems across the world face severe strain from economic pressures, inequality, and the accelerating impacts of climate change, Amina said.
In attendance at the EduPACT Summit were other senior officials from government, private and the development sector, including the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Aisha Garba; the Chief of Education, UNICEF Nigeria, Vanessa Lee; and Senior Education Adviser, British High Commission, Ian Attfield.
The UK Government, through its flagship education programme PLANE, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), partnered with the Kaduna State Government to co-organise the summit. The event is also supported by other key development partners, including UNICEF, the World Bank-funded AGILE programme, and Save the Children.
Since 2021, PLANE has been working with the Kaduna State Government to strengthen foundational learning, education governance, teacher development, community engagement, and access to quality teaching and learning materials. To date, the programme has reached 387,125 learners and 3,792 teachers across 699 schools, while also establishing 78 community hubs to support both in-school and out-of-school children.
The KADA EduPACT Summit serves as a high-level platform to forge an Educational Pact between the government and the people — establishing a shared commitment to a model of education delivery with measurable outcomes and clearly defined priorities.
