Abba Kabir Yusuf (Gida-Gida)

Accelerating Kano’s Future Through Technology and Innovation

Your Excellency, 

I write to you with profound optimism about the transformative potential of technology and innovation to position Kano State as a beacon of progress in Nigeria and beyond. As Africa’s youth population surges, Kano, rich in culture, commerce, and human capital, is uniquely poised to harness this demographic dividend by embracing technology as a catalyst for economic growth, social equity, and sustainable development.  

Your Excellency, I recognise and commend your commendable efforts and those of the Kano State Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, under the visionary leadership of the Honourable Commissioner, in laying the groundwork for transformative projects already in the pipeline. The recent establishment of the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA) is a particularly strategic leap forward, signalling the state’s resolve to institutionalise tech-driven growth. These efforts are a critical foundation, and I urge sustained momentum to ensure their timely execution. 

The recommendations outlined herein aim to complement and accelerate these existing plans, providing additional frameworks to attract global partnerships, amplify local talent, and unlock scalable opportunities. By building upon the Ministry’s initiatives and KASITDA’s mandate, Kano can fast-track its rise as a regional leader in technology-driven development.  

Why Technology Matters

Technology is not merely a tool but a foundation for modernisation. It drives efficiency, creates jobs, and bridges gaps in education, healthcare, governance and more. For Kano, where over 60% of the population is under 25, investing in tech equips our youth with skills to compete globally while addressing local challenges like unemployment, agricultural productivity, and access to public services.  

Globally, nations such as Rwanda and India have demonstrated that prioritising tech ecosystems can spur prosperity. Closer home, Lagos’s emergence as a start-up hub highlights the power of deliberate policy and infrastructure. Kano, with its strategic location, historical significance, and entrepreneurial spirit, can surpass these models by tailoring solutions to our unique context.  

A Blueprint for Transformation

To unlock this potential, I propose the following actionable initiatives:  

1. Establish Kano Tech City

Create a dedicated innovation district with co-working spaces, labs, and incubation hubs. Partner with organisations like Google, Alison – Free Empowerment Platform, Microsoft Africa, Altmentor and more to offer training, mentorship, and funding access. This ecosystem will nurture startups in EdTech, AgriTech, FinTech, HealthTech, etc, sectors critical to Kano’s economy.  

2. Revolutionise Education

Integrate digital skills into school curricula. Launch “Kano Code Clubs” and sponsor scholarships for students pursuing careers in STEM fields. Collaborate with Universities to offer advanced degrees in emerging technologies, ensuring a pipeline of skilled talent.  

3. Upgrade Infrastructure

Prioritise broadband expansion, especially in rural areas, and deploy solar-powered tech centres to overcome energy challenges. Reliable internet and electricity are non-negotiable for attracting global investors.  

4. Enact Innovation-Friendly Policies

Offer tax breaks for tech start-ups, streamline business registration, and establish a regulatory sandbox for testing solutions. Launch a Kano Innovation Fund to provide grants and venture capital. Some Innovation-Friendly Policies are outlined below;

-Tax Incentives & Financial Support

• 5-Year Tax Holiday: Exempt early-stage start-ups (0–3 years) from corporate income tax, PAYE, and land use charges. 
• Investor Tax Exemptions: Offer 100% capital gains tax relief for investments in Kano-based tech start-ups. 
• R&D Grants: Fund 50% of R&D costs for startups in priority sectors (AgriTech, EduTech, renewable energy).
• Kano Equity Fund: Establish a state-backed venture capital fund to co-invest in high-potential startups, matching private investments 1:1.  

-Ease of Doing Business

• 24-Hour Start-up Licensing: Create a dedicated tech desk at the Kano Investment Agency to fast-track business registration, licenses, and permits. 
• Regulatory Sandbox: Allow start-ups in FinTech, HealthTech, and mobility to test products for 12 months without full regulatory compliance. 
• Land Grants: Allocate subsidised land in Kano Tech City to start-ups and investors who commit to hiring at least 60% local talent.

-Talent & Immigration

• Tech Talent Visa: Partner with the Federal Government to expedite visas for foreign founders, engineers, and investors relocating to Kano. 
• Residency Rebates: Offer 50% discount on residency fees for startups that train and hire 100+ Kano youths annually.  

-Market Access & Growth

• Government Procurement Quota: Mandate 20% of state procurement contracts (e.g., e-governance tools, agri-supply chains) to be awarded to local tech startups.
• Export Incentives: Subsidise Saas (Software-as-a-Service) startups to scale across Africa by covering 30% of their cross-border marketing costs.  

-Investor Confidence & Exit Opportunities

• Investor Matchmaking: Host quarterly pitch sessions connecting startups with angels and global VC networks.
• Acquisition Support: Legal and financial advisory subsidies for startups exiting to foreign or local acquirers.  

-Sector-Specific Boosts

• AgriTech Subsidies: Free state-owned farmland for AgriTech startups piloting IoT-enabled irrigation or crop-monitoring drones.
• AI Ethics Framework: Develop Nigeria’s first state-level AI governance guidelines to attract ethical tech firms and global grants.  

-Long-Term Stability

• 10-Year Policy Guarantee: Legislate a “Kano Innovation Charter” to lock in incentives beyond political cycles, ensuring investor confidence. 
• Kano Tech Ambassadors: Appoint youth innovators as global ambassadors to showcase success stories in international media.  

5. Host Annual Tech Conferences

Showcase Kano’s potential through events like “Kano Innovates,” attracting investors, entrepreneurs, and thinkers. Celebrate local success stories to inspire a culture of innovation.  

Attracting Investment

A thriving tech ecosystem signals stability and opportunity. By cultivating homegrown talent and infrastructure, Kano will attract investors seeking opportunities in untapped markets. Public-private partnerships can further de-risk investments, while success stories will generate organic interest.  

A Call to Legacy

Your Excellency, this vision demands bold leadership. Imagine a Kano where farmers use drones to monitor their crops, artisans sell their products globally via digital platforms, and students use AI to solve community problems. Championing this agenda will secure Kano’s place as a hub of African innovation, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and inspiring generations.  

The time to act is now. Let us collaborate with stakeholders, businesses, educators, and youth to build a Kano that leads, not follows.  

Abubakar Sadiq Umar writes from Kano and can be reached via email at aserdeeq@gmail.com

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has announced that 200 public schools in Kano State will each receive 250 computers, totalling 50,000 units, under a major digital education initiative supported by the World Bank through the AGILE Project.

The distribution, aimed at bridging the digital divide in education, was announced during the flag-off ceremony for instructional materials distribution held in Kano.

“Our goal is to bridge the digital divide and ensure our students are not left behind in this era of technological advancement,” the governor said.

According to Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor’s spokesperson, the initiative is expected to boost digital literacy among students and enhance the overall quality of education in the state.

“This is a transformational investment in our future. It will improve access to technology and empower thousands of students with the tools they need for academic success,” Bature said in a statement on Monday.

Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to promoting inclusive and innovative education through investments in digital tools and resources.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

In a bid to provide stable electricity and improve learning conditions in public schools, Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has announced plans to solarise 200 public schools across Kano State.

The initiative, unveiled during the official flag-off ceremony for the distribution of instructional materials to schools, is part of the World Bank-supported Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project.

Governor Yusuf stated that the installation of solar power systems would ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, thereby creating a conducive environment for learning and digital education.

“This effort is part of our broader commitment to modernise education infrastructure and ensure that our students are learning in environments that support innovation and growth,” the governor said.

His spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, noted in a statement issued Monday that the intervention aims to eliminate power-related challenges that have long hindered the use of technology in public schools.

The solar project is expected to enhance teaching and learning outcomes while supporting other digital initiatives planned by the state government.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Kano State Government has approved the sum of ₦3 billion for the payment of National Examinations Council (NECO) examination fees for students in public secondary schools across the state.

This initiative, under the leadership of His Excellency Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, aims to support thousands of students by removing financial barriers to completing their secondary education. 

Stakeholders and social media commentators have praised the decision, describing it as a significant step towards promoting educational equity and youth development in the state.

More details later…

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Kano State Government has imposed an immediate ban on all live political programmes aired by media organisations in the state.

As Kano Times online news media reported, the decision was announced during a quarterly stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs. The meeting, chaired by the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, brought together government officials and media executives.

In a statement signed by Sani Abba Yola, Director of Special Duties at the ministry, the ban aims to prevent the spread of inflammatory content that could jeopardise the state’s cultural and religious harmony.

“We are not trying to stifle political dissent,” Comrade Waiya told the gathering. “Our objective is to protect the sanctity of our cultural and religious values.”

Further measures were introduced during the meeting. All individuals invited for interviews on media platforms must now sign an undertaking committing to avoid abusive, defamatory, or culturally insensitive remarks.

Presenters have also been directed to avoid provocative questions or gestures that might provoke defamatory or damaging statements against individuals or the state.

Waiya acknowledged a recent decline in the use of inflammatory language on air, crediting the ongoing collaboration between the ministry and media houses for the improvement.

He also disclosed that the government has rolled out sensitisation campaigns targeting political presenters, media commentators, and members of the Council of Friday Imams to promote responsible public discourse.

“We want to ensure that all public communication is done with integrity—free of defamation and in a way that protects the reputation of Kano State,” Waiya said.

By Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi

The Kano State Government is set to begin engaging volunteer ad-hoc data collectors across the state’s 484 wards as part of efforts to establish a comprehensive multisectoral data bank and dashboard. The initiative, which is nearing 70 per centcompletion, has been approved by the Executive Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

According to the State Statistician-General, Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, the volunteers, who must be residents of their respective wards, will be trained by the State Bureau of Statistics on the use of digital data collection tools. 

Dr Aliyu added that their responsibilities will include collecting demographic data such as births, deaths, maternal and child mortality rates from ward head registers and graveyards, as well as statistics on education, healthcare, security, and access to water and electricity.

Dr. Aliyu emphasised the importance of collaboration between volunteers, ward heads, and community stakeholders to collect accurate and timely data. He added that school teachers and health workers are strongly encouraged to apply once the application portal is made public.

“This is a collective responsibility and an opportunity for all of us who are committed to supporting our state,” he said. “Together, we shall make Kano great.”

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has pledged to take firm action against any teacher or school staff member found guilty of sexually harassing students, warning that such offenders will face legal prosecution.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Student Matters, Ibrahim Ma’ajiyi Sumaila, at a high-level stakeholders meeting organized by the Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA).

The event aimed to address the growing concern of sexual harassment in educational institutions.“As an Islamic state, Kano will not fold its arms and watch our daughters suffer abuse and humiliation. Any teacher who dares to violate a student will be flushed out and prosecuted without delay,” Sumaila declared.

He also assured full government support to NGOs championing advocacy and reform in the education sector.

The meeting, which included students, legal experts, journalists, and civil society groups, marked the launch of a six-month project by CAJA focused on curbing sexual harassment through strategic institutional policy-making.

Kabiru Sa’id Dakata, CAJA’s Executive Director, explained that the initiative aims to develop clear, stand-alone policies for tertiary and secondary schools, noting that many institutions either lack such policies or bury them in vague student handbooks.

“We spent three years pushing for a national law on sexual harassment—it’s a slow process. Now, we are pursuing individual institutions to adopt clearer policies,” he said.

Dakata pointed out that many victims suffer in silence, with some dropping out or failing academically for resisting the advances of predatory lecturers.

“Students often don’t even know where to report these incidents. That’s a failure of the system,” he added.

Delivering a paper on the topic, Barrister Maryam Ahmad Abubakar defined sexual harassment as any unwanted verbal, physical, or psychological behavior of a sexual nature that disrupts the learning environment.

She reiterated the importance of education, moral guidance, and religious teachings in tackling the issue.

Among the strategies proposed were enforcing strict penalties, adjusting admission and employment ages, and incorporating moral instruction into general studies curricula.

Supported by the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund and other partners, CAJA also plans to empower survivors as advocates, conduct outreach in selected schools, and produce awareness materials to amplify the campaign.

By Usman Abdullahi Koli

The grandeur of Kano’s emirate is not merely an inheritance of a throne but the custodianship of a deep-rooted history, culture, and tradition that represents the very soul of African heritage. From the era of Bagauda to the reign of Ado Bayero, the emirate has stood as a symbol of resilience, dignity, and continuity. 

Today, as the emirship tussle continues, it presents a defining moment not just for those directly involved but for the entire Kano people, whose unity and stability rest upon the wisdom of their leaders. It is a moment that demands measured actions, guided by history and the sacrifices of great monarchs who prioritised the collective good over personal ambitions.

The Kano Emirate is no stranger to succession disputes; however, history has shown that wise leaders have navigated such crises with patience, foresight, and a commitment to preserving the integrity of the institution. From the reign of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi I to that of Ado Bayero, the emirate has undergone significant transitions- some peaceful, others contentious- but ultimately resolved with a sense of responsibility toward the larger interest of Kano.

Today, we see echoes of the past in the contest between Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and Emir Aminu Ado Bayero. While the legal and political dimensions of the crisis continue to unfold, the moral weight on those involved is immense. The key question remains: Will the dignity, harmony, and prestige of Kano take precedence over personal interests, or will history remember this episode as a moment of avoidable discord?

History is replete with examples of monarchs who faced displacement yet responded with wisdom, ensuring that their thrones remained symbols of honour rather than sources of division. In 1936, King Edward VIII of Britain abdicated the throne out of personal conviction, avoiding a constitutional crisis. 

More recently, King Juan Carlos of Spain voluntarily stepped aside to preserve national unity and dignity. Within Africa, deposed monarchs have often demonstrated restraint, placing the peace of their people above personal grievances.

A particularly relevant example is Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, who, despite the political implications of his removal in 2020, did not rally his supporters to contest the decision. Instead, he accepted his fate with remarkable composure, trusting in destiny and the historical cycle that governs leadership.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is enormously responsible for ensuring that his administration’s actions do not fuel unnecessary tensions in Kano. While he holds constitutional authority over traditional institutions, wisdom dictates that such decisions be made with a far-reaching vision that safeguards Kano’s unity, stability, and the sanctity of its traditions. Political decisions should not be allowed to erode the revered position of the emirate.

To Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, this moment calls for deep introspection on the true essence of leadership. His revered father, Emir Ado Bayero, was an emblem of peace, patience, and sagacity. The respect he commanded was not merely because he sat on the throne but because of his ability to navigate crises with wisdom. Now, his son faces a historic test: will he allow personal ambition to override Kano’s peace, or will he embrace the noble path of sacrifice? The decisions he makes today will shape how history remembers him.

To Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, his reinstatement is a return to power and an opportunity to lead with renewed wisdom and vision. His expectations are immense—not for vengeance or retribution, but for reconciliation and statesmanship. The people of Kano look up to him to use his vast experience, intellect, and leadership to heal divisions, restore trust, and solidify the emirate as a pillar of stability.

Kano is more than a city; it symbolises Africa’s resilience, culture, and civilization. The emirate embodies centuries of tradition that must not be tarnished by personal conflicts. The world is watching, and history is recording. The real question is not who occupies the throne today, but how that throne is preserved for generations to come.

It is crucial for external influences, particularly those in Abuja, to respect the Kano State Government’s decision. The constitution recognizes states as custodians of their emirates, and any interference from outside forces risks escalating tensions rather than resolving them. Political insinuators should avoid fueling discord and instead honour the autonomy of Kano’s leadership.

Now, the great tradition of the Sallah Durbar, which both factions claim to organise, must not become a battleground for supremacy. The grand procession, deeply embedded in Kano’s cultural and Islamic identity, is meant to unite, not divide. It should not be reduced to a contest of power. Both sides must recognize that personal ambitions should never overshadow the collective peace of Kano. True leadership is tested not in times of comfort, but in moments of crisis, and the world is watching to see whether wisdom or ego will prevail.

Great monarchs are remembered not for how fiercely they fought to retain power, but for how wisely they managed transitions, prioritized peace, and left behind legacies of honor. The lessons of Kano’s past emirs—from Bagauda to Ado Bayero—should serve as a guide for present leaders. These revered figures ruled with dignity, wisdom, and a profound sense of duty to their people.

Those who occupy the throne today must consider: Will they be remembered for upholding this legacy or for diminishing it?

May wisdom prevail over pride, and may Kano remain the fortress of culture, tradition, and unity it has always been.

Usman Abdullahi Koli wrote via mernoukoli@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

A high-powered delegation from the Kano State Government on Thursday departed for Edo State on a fact-finding and peace-building mission following the gruesome killing of 16 Kano travellers who were burnt to death in the Uromi community.

This was disclosed in a statement by Ibrahim Garba Shu’aibu, spokesperson to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, who said the visit aims to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and foster peaceful coexistence.

The Daily Reality reports that the committee was constituted in response to national outrage and concern over the violent attacks that led to multiple deaths and the displacement of residents, including indigenes of Kano living in the area.

The delegation is led by the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo. It includes notable figures such as the Emir of Rano, Ambassador Mohammad Isa Umar, and commissioners from various ministries, including Religious Affairs, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Special Duties, and Women Affairs. Also in the team are the Chairman of Bunkure Local Government Area and other top officials.

Speaking at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport before departure, Deputy Governor Gwarzo emphasized the committee’s dedication to justice and peace.

“Our mandate is clear — to investigate, consult, and recommend sustainable solutions. This is not just a fact-finding mission, but a peace-building initiative aimed at restoring confidence and preventing further violence,” he said.

He noted that the tragic event last month has escalated tension in the area. During their week-long stay, the committee will meet with the Edo State Governor, security chiefs, traditional leaders, and civil society groups.

The statement also mentioned that the mission aligns with the Northern Governors Forum’s broader efforts to promote unity and address insecurity nationwide.

It concluded that “Further updates will be provided as the committee progresses with its engagement in Edo State. “

_________________________________

Muhsin Ibrahim, PhD

Institute of African Studies, 

University of Cologne 

Blog: www.muhsin.in

By Uzair Adam  

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has visited the Kano State Government and the families of 16 hunters burned to death by criminals in Uromi, Edo State, to offer condolences.  

Speaking at the Government House, Okpebholo expressed shock over the incident and confirmed that 14 suspects had been arrested.  

The Daily Reality reports that the governor assured justice for the victims’ families.  

Similarly, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, urged Okpebholo to ensure the culprits are punished.  

Yusuf also called on the federal government to disclose the identities of those arrested and urged the Edo government to compensate the families of the deceased.