By Yusuf Ishaku Goje
In Nigeria, the gap between policy design and implementation is starkly evident. Despite efforts to craft comprehensive plans and allocate significant resources, the desired outcomes often remain elusive. Kaduna State’s experience is a telling example, where despite notable strides in policy development and meeting the 25% budget allocation benchmark for education, learning outcomes continue to fall short of expectations. This highlights the critical need for adequate cash-backed releases for effective implementation to translate plans into tangible results.
By ensuring effective execution through adequate funding, Kaduna State can unlock the full potential of its education sector. The introduction of the Annual Operational Plan (AOP) has been a game-changer, transforming strategic goals into concrete actions. The AOP provides a clear roadmap, outlining objectives, expected outcomes, strategies, responsibilities, timelines, financial allocations, and key performance indicators to track progress. This structured approach enables precise implementation and paves the way for tangible improvements in education.
Recently, the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the Kaduna State Education sector convened in Kano to develop its 2025 Annual Operation Plan (AOP). The workshop supported by the PLANE programme under the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), through the Ministry of Education, brought officials from the Ministry for Local Government Affairs and its six focal local governments of Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Jaba, Sanga, Soba and Sabon Gari. Civil society accountability mechanisms were also in attendance.
The workshop offered a valuable opportunity to assess progress and identify key lessons from the previous year’s performance. A critical takeaway was the significant impact of inadequate cash-backed releases on achieving expected outcomes. To ensure successful implementation of the 2025 AOP, it is imperative that political commitment is secured, with a focus on adhering to the plan and providing timely and adequate funding to support the planned activities. This commitment will be crucial in driving meaningful progress and achieving the desired results.
A total investment of N169.4 billion is needed to bring the 2025 AOP to reality. This critical funding has been strategically allocated across four key objectives: enhancing teaching and learning outcomes (N20.16 billion), boosting access and retention rates for all (N9.79 billion), upgrading infrastructure (N133.83 billion), and strengthening system efficiency (N5.62 billion).
The 2025 Annual Operational Plan will be implemented by a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Education (MoE); State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); Kaduna State Quality Assurance Authority (KSSQAA); Kaduna State Teachers Service Board (KSTSB); Kaduna State Library Board (KSLB); Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board); Kaduna State University (KASU); Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria (NBPZ); and Kaduna State College of Education Gidan Waya (KSCoE).
To actualize its vision to be a model state education sector in the provision of quality and inclusive education in Nigeria, Kaduna State must tackle the obstacles hindering the effective implementation of its 2025 Annual Operational Plan (AOP). Civil society and non-state stakeholders will play a vital role in ensuring the plan’s success through social accountability.
In conclusion, the 2025 AOP is a critical step towards improving the education sector in Kaduna State. However, its success depends on effective implementation and adequate funding. We urge all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the plan is implemented successfully and that the state’s education sector goals are achieved and outcomes improved.
Goje is an active citizen, civil society member and OGP enthusiast
