Recent developments in Nigeria’s education sector have put Kano State in the spotlight following the release of the 2025 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results by the National Examination Council (NECO). The Kano State Bureau of Statistics has vigorously defended the state’s achievements, citing official data that positions Kano’s students at the forefront nationwide, despite contested media reports and debates over analysis methodology.
A Clash of Reports: Kano vs. Premium Times
The conversation began when Premium Times, a notable online news outlet, published a report suggesting that Abia State ranked first in the number of candidates who achieved five credits and above in the SSCE, including Mathematics and English. However, in a detailed statement signed by Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, the Statistician-General of Kano State, the Bureau firmly rejected this narrative. According to Dr. Aliyu, the Premium Times analysis overlooked a range of NECO-provided indicators that, he asserts, more accurately capture nationwide performance.
Specifically, Dr. Aliyu explained that Premium Times’ evaluation was based on a single percentage metric, ignoring the broader dataset supplied by NECO and the office of the Registrar, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi. “Premium Times relied on a selective analysis with an isolated indicator where Abia State ranked first and deliberately ignored the broader set of indicators that establish Kano as the national leader,” Dr. Aliyu stated.
Understanding the Data: What Makes Kano Stand Out?
According to the official statistics analyzed by the Kano State Bureau of Statistics, six core performance indicators were extracted from NECO’s releases. Of these, Kano reportedly emerged first in five critical areas—well above the other states, including the much-lauded Lagos and Oyo. The data revealed that:
- Kano registered the highest number of candidates: 137,338 students were registered, with 136,762 sitting for the exam.
- Of those, 103,579 achieved at least five credits (regardless of whether those included English and Mathematics)—a number that significantly surpasses Lagos (85,071 successful candidates) and Oyo (70,609).
This highlights not just the intensity of Kano’s educational engagement but also suggests that the state is making significant progress in broad-based student achievement and access. In the words of Dr. Aliyu, “This is the largest absolute figure nationwide, far ahead of Lagos with 85,071 and Oyo with 70,609. In the general state ranking, Kano again placed first with the largest pool of successful candidates, cementing its position as the education hub of Nigeria in 2025.”
Spotlight on Female Achievement
Education experts across Nigeria often stress the importance of female education in driving social development and economic growth, especially in the northern states. Kano’s 2025 NECO results reflect notable progress: women and girls are increasingly visible and successful.
- Out of the 75,115 girls registered in Kano, 74,098 sat for the exam, with 39,851 achieving five credits including Mathematics and English—the highest female performance in the country.
- When considering success irrespective of Mathematics and English, 59,771 girls were successful, again maintaining Kano’s lead over Lagos (48,202) and Oyo (33,201).
Social commentators see these figures as evidence that Kano is making real strides in promoting girl-child education—a critical focus as Northern Nigeria continues to address legacy issues related to gender parity and access.
Male Students: A Trend of Excellence
Kano’s dominance does not end with female achievement. Among male candidates, the state registered 62,223 with 61,854 sitting for the exams. Of those, 43,808 obtained five credits, irrespective of English and Mathematics, putting Kano ahead of states like Lagos (38,869) and Oyo (22,371).
On stricter benchmarks—such as five credits including both Mathematics and English—Kano placed a close second to Lagos (30,203 compared to Kano’s 28,308), reflecting competitive excellence across genders in the state’s public and private schools.
The Challenge of Interpreting Data: Methodology Matters
A recurring theme in this debate is the importance of statistical methodology. Dr. Aliyu highlighted the potential for misunderstanding when indicators are examined in isolation. For instance, although only eight candidates sat for the NECO SSCE abroad in countries like Saudi Arabia—all of whom achieved a 100% pass rate—using such a small cohort as a performance benchmark for the entire country would be misleading.
Experts like Lagos-based analyst, Mrs. Funke Olatunji, note that, “Absolute numbers often provide critical insight into educational access, especially in high-population states like Kano. While pass rates are essential, the total successful candidates show actual impact.”
Broader Implications for the Region: What Does Kano’s Success Mean?
Kano’s educational expansion and success story have implications not just for Nigeria, but for West Africa at large. With millions of youth in the region lacking access to quality secondary education, Kano’s approach—from increased enrollment to girl-child participation—could offer lessons to other states and neighboring countries.
Education consultant Dr. Idris Sani, based in Accra, Ghana, comments, “West Africa’s youthful population is an asset, but it can only be harnessed meaningfully with quality education. When states like Kano make tangible progress, the effects ripple across the sub-region in terms of skills, economic growth, and social development.”
Counterpoints: The Case for Diverse Educational Indicators
Despite Kano’s impressive results, some education reformers stress the importance of nuanced reporting. As Dr. Olatunji explains, “States should track not just the absolute number of successful candidates, but also invest in improving subject-specific performance, teacher training, and resources for underserved areas.” She points out that states like Abia continue to lead on percentage-based performance measures and subject-specific excellence—factors that also deserve recognition.
Public Reactions: Pride and Constructive Critique
Across social media and local airwaves, many in Nigeria have welcomed the news of Kano’s success. Parents, educators, and community leaders have reportedly expressed pride in the achievements, encouragement for the state’s students, and a sense of optimism for the future.
Yet, educators in other states warn against complacency; they say that while setting participation records is important, attention needs to remain on raising quality standards, boosting pass rates in core subjects, bridging the gap between urban and rural access, and sustaining investment in education beyond political cycles.
A Call for Continued Investment and Reform
Looking ahead, sustaining this momentum will require continued collaboration among schools, government, families, and private-sector partners. Nigerian and West African authorities will need to encourage innovation, fund educational infrastructure, and reward teachers appropriately to build on these successes.
As Kano and other states celebrate their achievements and confront their challenges, the broader lesson is clear: meaningful progress in education can serve as a catalyst for a region’s social and economic transformation.
What are your thoughts on Kano’s achievements and the ongoing debate over educational statistics in Nigeria? Do you believe other states can replicate this success, or is Kano’s story unique? Drop your comments below—and don’t forget to follow us for the latest analysis, opinion, and breaking news in Nigeria and across West Africa.
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