The Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN) has expressed concern over what it described as the persistent neglect of public education in Kano State despite the existence of laws guaranteeing free, compulsory basic and secondary education.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by its Executive Director, Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, Esq., CEFSAN lamented the poor condition of many public schools across the state, noting that thousands of pupils continue to learn in dilapidated classrooms without basic learning facilities.
According to CEFSAN, many schools lack desks, teaching materials, libraries, laboratories and other essential infrastructure, while some pupils are forced to study under leaking roofs and in unsafe environments.
The organization described the situation as a contradiction of the provisions of the Kano State Free and Compulsory Universal Basic and Secondary Education Law 2020 and the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act 2004.
“Education is not charity and should not be treated as a political favour. It is a legal right guaranteed by law and owed to every Nigerian child,” the group stated.
CEFSAN argued that the continued failure to fully implement the education laws amounts to a denial of opportunities to millions of children whose future depends on access to quality education.
It further criticized what it called the prioritization of highly publicized government programs over investments in public schools, stressing that no government can claim commitment to development while educational infrastructure remains in a state of decay.
As part of efforts to compel compliance with the relevant laws, CEFSAN disclosed that it has instituted a suit before the Federal High Court, Kano Judicial Division, against the Attorney General of the Federation and five other respondents.
The suit, filed under the title ‘The Registered Trustees of the Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN) v. Attorney General of the Federation & 5 Others’, seeks judicial intervention to enforce the provisions of the Kano State Free and Compulsory Universal Basic and Secondary Education Law 2020 and the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act 2004.
The matter has been scheduled for hearing on 20 July 2026.
CEFSAN described the case as an opportunity for the judiciary to reaffirm that access to education is a legal obligation that governments must fulfil rather than a discretionary policy objective.
It maintained that every child denied access to quality education represents a failure of governance and warned that continued neglect of public education could have far-reaching consequences for the social and economic development of Kano State and Nigeria.
CEFSAN called on the Federal Government, Kano State Government, lawmakers, traditional institutions, civil society organizations, parents, teachers and other stakeholders to support the full implementation and enforcement of free and compulsory education laws.
“The time for promises has passed. The time for implementation has come. The future of our children cannot be postponed, negotiated or sacrificed,” the statement added.
