Kano State Faces 105:1 Pupil-Teacher Ratio Crisis

A recent education census in Kano state indicates that the pupil-teacher ratio in public primary schools is 105:1, far exceeding the UNESCO recommended standard of 25:1. The census, released in December 2025, shows a total enrollment of 5,690,634 pupils across various educational levels, including 683,773 in pre-primary, 4,034,744 in primary, 509,314 in junior secondary, and 412,518 in senior secondary schools.

The overcrowding has resulted in an average of 145 pupils sharing a classroom, with a sanitation ratio of 343 pupils per toilet. The Kano state government, led by Education Commissioner Ali Haruna Makoda, attributes these challenges to years of neglect by previous administrations.

In response, the government has declared a state of emergency in education and is investing in infrastructure improvements, including a contract worth N24 billion for the construction of 49 new schools and renovation of 300 existing schools across the state.