ABUJA, Nigeria – Former Kano State Governor and former Minister of Defence, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on all tiers of government across Nigeria to scale up capital and infrastructural investments in both Islamic and Western educational systems.
Kwankwaso made the appeal on Sunday, August 23, 2026, while congratulating Maryam Ibrahim Dan’Azumi, an indigene of Gombe State in north-eastern Nigeria, who won the women’s category at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Okay News reports that Dan’Azumi finished first ahead of contestants representing 132 countries, earning a prize of 300,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately ₦120 million or $78,000) for her mastery in recitation, Tajweed, and Quranic interpretation (Tafsir).
Reacting to the global achievement, Kwankwaso commended Dan’Azumi for bringing honor to the nation and acknowledged the dedication of her family, teachers, and mentors in guiding her scholarship.
“I congratulate Maryam Ibrahim Dan’Azumi, a remarkable daughter of Gombe State and a proud Nigerian, on emerging as the winner in the women’s category of the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Kwankwaso said.
He added: “I seize this opportunity to call on governments at all levels to invest more resources in strengthening our Islamic and Western educational systems so that they can create greater opportunities for our people.”
Kwankwaso emphasized that deliberate public sector support for integrated learning models will equip young Nigerians with the intellectual, moral, and technical skills necessary to compete on global platforms.
