UK-backed programme targets learning crisis in Katsina

…New initiative to strengthen reading, mathematics for IQTE pupils, support over-aged out-of-school children

By: Michael Mike

The United Kingdom-backed Scaling Access and Learning in Education (SCALE) programme has been launched in Katsina State, with a focus on tackling foundational learning gaps among children in Integrated Qur’anic and Tsangaya Education (IQTE) schools and restoring educational opportunities for over-aged out-of-school children.

The initiative, launched at the Katsina State Government House on Thursday, is being implemented by the Education Development Trust (EDT), Teaching at the Right Level Africa (TaRL Africa) and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), in partnership with the state government.

The programme comes against the backdrop of prolonged insecurity, displacement and school closures across parts of Northern Nigeria, which have disrupted the education of thousands of children and increased the urgency of flexible and inclusive learning pathways.

In Katsina and Zamfara states, SCALE will support the strengthening of reading and mathematics instruction in IQTE schools, while contributing to a national review of the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) curriculum.

According to a statement on Friday by the Senior Communications & Public Diplomacy Officer,

Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, the enhanced ABEP curriculum is designed to provide accelerated basic education for over-aged out-of-school children, particularly those between 10 and 18 whose schooling has been interrupted by conflict, displacement or other barriers.

The intervention will deploy the Teaching at the Right Level approach, an evidence-based model that groups pupils according to their actual learning abilities rather than their age or class, enabling teachers to provide targeted instruction in foundational reading and mathematics, the statement read.

It noted that the approach builds on promising results from Kaduna State, where it was introduced in IQTE schools with support from the Aminu Musa Abdulsalam Foundation. The programme partners said the Kaduna experience showed that children who had previously lacked structured reading instruction could begin reading simple words and develop greater confidence within months.

Speaking at the launch, Governor Umar Dikko Radda said the state’s education priorities extended beyond school enrolment to ensuring that children actually acquired the skills they needed.

“For us, education is not simply about getting a child into the school. Access is only the beginning, but learning is the ultimate objective,” he said.

Radda said the government was seeking to build an education system capable of continuous improvement rather than relying on isolated projects.

“Where an approach demonstrates value and produces results, we will continue to explore appropriate ways to integrate and sustain such approaches within our educational system,” he added.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Suleiman Usman Jibia, described the launch as a milestone in efforts to expand learning opportunities for emerging and IQTE learners across the state.

He said the government looked forward to building on the results of the pilot phase and working with partners towards a broader, more effective and sustainable implementation of SCALE.

The Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission in Abuja, Cynthia Rowe, said the programme reflected a shared commitment to ensuring that children could acquire foundational literacy and numeracy skills regardless of the type of school they attended.

“The launch of SCALE marks an important step in our shared mission to ensure that every child, regardless of the type of school they attend, has the opportunity to build strong foundational literacy and numeracy skills,” she said.

Rowe said the UK was proud to support the Katsina State Government in bringing evidence-based teaching approaches into IQTE schools.

Also speaking, the Senior Education Adviser at the British High Commission, Ian Attfield, said too many children in Northern Nigeria had been denied access to quality education.

“We must all step-up to open flexible, evidence backed pathways to learning, to ensure that no child is left behind,” he said.

SCALE is intended to help governments adapt proven education interventions to local contexts, test their effectiveness and build the capacity required to integrate successful approaches into public education systems.

The programme’s expansion into Katsina and Zamfara marks a broader UK engagement in education in Northern Nigeria, extending support beyond states in the North-East and focusing on system strengthening, inclusion and foundational learning.

For Katsina, the initiative offers an opportunity to address learning deficits in education pathways that serve children who are often excluded from conventional schooling, while strengthening the state’s capacity to sustain effective teaching interventions beyond the life of individual projects.

UK-backed programme targets learning crisis in Katsina

Troops arrest terrorist kingpin, ammunition courier, logistics supplier in Kaduna

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), have arrested a suspected terrorist kingpin, intercepted an ammunition courier and apprehended a suspected terrorist logistics supplier in separate intelligence-led operations across Kaduna State.

The operations, conducted on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, targeted terrorist hideouts, supply routes and support networks in Kubau, Igabi and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas of the state.

In the early hours of the day, troops of Sector 1 conducted a clearance operation at Dabar Dabo, identified as a known terrorist hideout in Kubau LGA.

During the operation, the troops arrested a suspected terrorist kingpin and two other members of his syndicate at the hideout.

The three suspects were taken into military custody for further investigation and intelligence exploitation.

In a separate operation on the same day, troops of Sector 1, acting on credible intelligence concerning the movement of ammunition, arrested a 50-year-old woman suspected of serving as an ammunition courier in Igabi LGA.

The suspect was allegedly found in possession of 300 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a bag.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had travelled from Zamfara State to Lafia, where she allegedly received the ammunition for onward delivery to terrorist elements operating around Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State.

The suspect and recovered ammunition have been secured in military custody as investigations continue to establish her network and intended recipients.

Later the same day, troops of Sector 1, working with a community vigilante group, apprehended another suspected terrorist logistics supplier in Birnin Gwari LGA.

During preliminary interrogation and a search of the suspect, troops recovered four communication devices suspected to have been used in connection with terrorist activities.

The suspect and recovered devices were also taken into military custody for further investigation.

The series of operations highlights the growing focus of Operation FANSAN YAMMA on dismantling the support structures that sustain terrorist groups, including their command networks, ammunition couriers, communication channels and logistics suppliers.

The successful interception of the ammunition consignment also represents a significant disruption to the movement of military-grade supplies into terrorist operating areas in Kaduna State.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA has continued to intensify intelligence-led operations across the North-West to disrupt terrorist networks, deny criminal elements freedom of action and prevent the movement of arms, ammunition and other logistics across the Joint Operations Area.

The Joint Task Force has also acknowledged the support of members of the public and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security agency.

Troops arrest terrorist kingpin, ammunition courier, logistics supplier in Kaduna

U.S. Air Force C-17 delivers military equipment to Nigerian Air Force under FMS agreement

By Zagazola Makama

A United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force as part of an ongoing foreign military sales agreement between the two countries.

The development was announced on Thursday by the official X handle of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which described the delivery as a demonstration of the growing security partnership between the United States and Nigeria.

AFRICOM said the equipment was delivered over the weekend and would support Nigeria’s efforts to counter terrorism and other security threats in the region.

“Partnership in action,” AFRICOM said, noting that the equipment formed part of a foreign military sales agreement designed to further the U.S.-Nigeria defence partnership.

The command said the delivery would aid Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly as the country continues to confront persistent threats from terrorist and insurgent groups.

The latest delivery comes amid increasing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, with both countries strengthening collaboration in intelligence, training, equipment and other areas aimed at improving Nigeria’s capacity to tackle terrorism.

The use of a U.S. Air Force C-17 for the delivery also underscores the logistical component of the bilateral defence relationship, enabling the movement of military equipment directly in support of Nigeria’s operational requirements.

Nigeria has continued to seek enhanced international partnerships as its armed forces sustain operations against terrorist and criminal networks across the North-East, North-West and other conflict-affected parts of the country.

AFRICOM’s announcement signals continued U.S. support for Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its military capabilities and confront terrorism, while reinforcing Washington’s broader security partnership with Abuja.

U.S. Air Force C-17 delivers military equipment to Nigerian Air Force under FMS agreement