Kaduna Institutionalizes Life Skills Education, Moves Beyond Donor-Driven Projects
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
Kaduna State has taken a historic step in education reform, institutionalizing life skills education within its school system and ending its dependence on donor-driven programmes.
The announcement was made at the stakeholders’ validation workshop for the Draft Life Skills Policy and the Draft Gender in Education Policy.
Delivering the welcome remarks, Honourable Commissioner of Education, Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, described the policies as “critical tools for building an inclusive, equitable, and future-ready education system.”
He emphasized that the Life Skills Policy equips students with practical competencies, resilience, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial skills, ensuring they are prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Professor Sambo highlighted that the Gender Policy in Education is unprecedented in Nigeria, built on detailed LGA-specific analyses to address unique educational challenges.
“Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Kaduna State is ensuring that every child, including girls and vulnerable groups, has access to quality education,” he said.
Bashir Muhammed, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, reinforced the state’s commitment.
According to him, “Life skills programs have previously depended on donors.
“Today, Kaduna State takes full ownership, integrating life skills into the school curriculum as a core subject alongside mathematics and science.
“This ensures sustainability and long-term impact beyond donor funding.”
Ezra Angai, State Coordinator of the Reaching Out-of-School Children Project, added that the policies provide a uniform roadmap for AGILE centres, supporting the enrollment, retention, and transition of girls, including safe spaces for young mothers.
Maryam Sani Dangaji, AGILE State Project Coordinator, explained the broader benefits, saying “When girls stay in school, early marriage is delayed, health outcomes improve, and teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence are reduced.”
Habiba Muhammed, Executive Director of the Center for Girls Education, praised the life skills integration for fostering voice, agency, and informed decision-making among both girls and boys, while reducing societal risks such as youth insecurity and violence.
The workshop also highlighted Kaduna State’s robust funding and coordination framework.
Over 25% of the state budget is dedicated to education, supplemented by an active platform of development partners and civil society organizations that meet quarterly to review progress and provide solutions.
With the institutionalization of life skills education, Kaduna State is setting a national benchmark for sustainable, inclusive, and transformative education, ensuring that no child is left behind, even as donor support evolves.
