Ahead of the visit of US Secretary of State, John Kerry to Nigeria this week, Sokoto State Government said it will collaborate with United States of America to expand access to education with a view to tackling terrorism and promoting small and medium scale industries in the state.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said this after a meeting with Ambassador Johnnie Carson, an expert in African affairs and also a Senior Advisor with the United States Institute for Peace (USIP).

A statement issued Sunday in Sokoto by Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said the meeting centered on efforts by the Sokoto government to increase enrollment in schools, enhance quality output, and develop a framework that will inspire young men to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills at a young age.

“Governor Tambuwal briefed Carson and his team of efforts to increase literacy and numeracy among vast majority of children left out of school. He also spoke extensively on creating creating opportunities for youth, women and children, and importantly, improving other social sectors like health and provision of water in the state.

“Issues of gender equality and how to enhance the integration of women into decision-making organs were also discussed,” the statement added.

It said government will continue to explore avenues of empowering small and medium scale businesses in order to enhance their potential and increase employment generation in Sokoto state.