Nigeria takes delivery of Japan-assisted classrooms in Kano

The Federal Government has taken delivery of 317 classrooms spread across 33 basic education schools in 22 Local Governments of Kano State, which were constructed and furnished through a collaborative effort between the Federal Government and Japan International Cooperation Agency.
It is expected that approximately 12, 680 pupils are to benefit from the facility.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony at the Headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, the Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, said the project was a manifestation of the successful symbiotic bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Japan.
Wike said the cooperation goes beyond the additional classroom project to include teachers training in mathematics and sciences under a programme known as Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education.
According to him, the Japanese Government has demonstrated more than a passing commitment to the provision of educational development assistance and support to Nigeria, adding that the strategic initiative of constructing classroom blocks in selected states of the federation had contributed significantly to improving access to basic education in the benefitting states.
Some of the benefiting states include: Niger, Plateau and Kaduna.
Wike commended the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ryuichi Shoji, and the Chief Representative of JICA, Tesuo- Seki, for their commitment to the project, and directed the Universal Basic Education Commission to liaise with the Kano State Government to ensure that quality teaching and learning commence in those classrooms without delay and to strive to maintain the facilities.
Earlier, Shoji announced that the project cost N2.31 billion.
He said the history of Japan proves that unfettered access to basic education is one of the foundation for nation building of Japan, hence empowerment of people is one of its guiding principles
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwoabiala, restated the commitment of Government in Nigeria to the development of the education sector.