Abba Kabir Yusuf

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has allocated plots of land to 1,000 youths drawn from the 44 local government areas of the state, bringing to about 3,500 the number of beneficiaries of its recent land allocation exercises.

The latest exercise comes about two weeks after the government distributed land allocation documents to about 2,500 political appointees and polling agents, as part of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s efforts to expand home ownership, reduce the housing deficit and empower different segments of the state’s population.

Representing the governor at the latest allocation ceremony, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, said the initiative was particularly significant because it focused on one of the state’s greatest assets — its youth.

Yusuf said 1,000 young men and women from across the 44 local government areas had been selected to benefit from the programme, describing the allocation as part of his administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people to own assets, build wealth and become productive contributors to society.

“Land remains one of the most valuable assets anyone can own. It appreciates over time, creates economic opportunities, provides security for families, and serves as a foundation upon which lasting wealth can be built,” the governor said.

He said providing young people with access to land would lay the foundation for a generation of homeowners, entrepreneurs, developers and investors.

According to him, the programme formed part of the administration’s broader strategy to gradually bring different segments of Kano society onto the housing ladder, reduce the state’s housing deficit, expand home ownership and improve living standards.

The governor stressed that the beneficiaries were not receiving just any plots, but land within government-approved and professionally designed layouts.

He said the layouts had been planned with wide access roads, drainage systems, schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship, parks, open spaces, markets and security facilities.

“These layouts are not very much different from what we have in Nassarawa GRA. Such planning ensures orderly development, protects the environment, improves public safety, and significantly enhances the long-term value of your property,” Yusuf said.

The governor urged the beneficiaries to protect their allocation documents and avoid disposing of their plots hastily for immediate financial gains.

“Do not regard this allocation document as ordinary pieces of paper. They represent opportunity. They represent dignity. They represent security. And they represent the beginning of a brighter future for you,” he said.

Yusuf assured young people in Kano that his administration would continue to create opportunities for their economic and social empowerment, noting that government was also investing in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, skills development, industrialisation, technology and enterprise development.

He urged the beneficiaries to remain law-abiding, hardworking and committed to the development of their communities, saying they should serve as good ambassadors of Kano State.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, described the allocation as another “bold and unprecedented initiative” by the Yusuf administration aimed at empowering Kano youths.

Umar said the 1,000 beneficiaries were drawn from across the 44 local government areas of the state, adding that the exercise demonstrated that the administration was not merely making promises but was committed to fulfilling them.

He said Governor Yusuf recognised young people as “the greatest asset of Kano State” and believed that every hardworking young person deserved an opportunity to own land, build a home, create wealth and secure a better future for their families.

The commissioner explained that the latest programme was part of a wider government vision to bring different segments of Kano society onto the housing ladder, expand home ownership, reduce the housing deficit and ensure that more citizens had legally recognised and secure properties.

He also emphasised the quality and planning of the layouts where the beneficiaries were allocated plots.

“These are government-approved layouts professionally planned by experts and every layout has been carefully designed with proper road networks, drainage systems, schools, healthcare facilities, open spaces and security facilities,” Umar said.

Umar urged the beneficiaries to value the opportunity, warning them against treating the allocation documents as ordinary papers or rushing to sell their plots because of immediate financial needs.

“My advice to every beneficiary is simple: value this opportunity. Do not regard these allocation documents as ordinary papers and do not rush to sell them because of immediate financial needs,” he said.

He advised them to protect their documents, develop their plots when they were able to and allow the properties to serve as the foundation of their families’ future.

The commissioner further said the administration had declared what he described as a decisive war against illegal land grabbing, locally known as “Awon igiya”.

He assured that the government would continue to recover public lands, prosecute offenders and restore sanity to land administration across the state.

Umar congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to remain responsible, productive and law-abiding citizens while supporting government programmes and serving as ambassadors of the administration.

By Uzair Adam


Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has disclosed that his administration spent more than N1.5 billion on the 2026 mass wedding programme organised for 1,500 couples across the state.

The governor said the expenditure was aimed at fulfilling a campaign promise while providing the beneficiaries with financial, household and social support to help them establish their marriages.

Yusuf disclosed this on Saturday while speaking at the wedding ceremony for the 1,500 couples under the state’s mass wedding initiative, popularly known as Auren Gata.

He explained that the programme was designed not merely to facilitate the marriages but also to support the couples as they begin their lives together.

According to him, the mass wedding was among the promises he made to the people of Kano during his campaign across the state’s 44 local government areas ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“Alhamdulillah, to the glory of Allah, today we have continued to fulfil that promise,” he said.

The governor noted that all prospective beneficiaries underwent comprehensive screening before being admitted into the programme.

He said the process included medical examinations, marriage counselling, workshops and seminars aimed at preparing the couples for the responsibilities of married life.

Yusuf stressed that the medical screening was particularly important in safeguarding the health of the couples and their future children.

He further disclosed that each bride received N100,000 as dowry and an additional N100,000 capital grant to enable her start a small-scale business and achieve economic independence.

The beneficiaries, he added, were also provided with household furniture and essential items, including beds and mattresses, as well as foodstuffs and other materials intended to reduce the financial burden of setting up new homes.

The governor urged the couples to regard marriage as an act of worship and to build their homes in accordance with the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

He advised them to demonstrate patience, fairness and mutual respect, while resolving disagreements peacefully and maintaining understanding in their homes.

“Always remember that marriage is an act of Ibada. Therefore, strive to conduct your matrimonial life in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of our noble Prophet Muhammad,” Yusuf said.

He prayed for Allah’s blessings upon the marriages and for the couples to be blessed with righteous children who would contribute positively to their families, society and humanity.

Yusuf also expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, Islamic scholars and other guests who attended the ceremony and contributed to the success of the programme.

He specifically acknowledged members of the Kano State Council of Emirs, including the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the emirs of Rano, Karaye and Gaya, for their guidance, prayers and support.

The governor equally thanked Islamic scholars and clerics who travelled from different parts of the country to participate in the programme and counsel the newly married couples.

The 2026 mass wedding programme was implemented across Kano State’s 44 local government areas and was designed to provide selected couples with financial, household and social assistance as they begin their marital lives.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government on Saturday commenced the distribution of land allocation documents to political appointees, with polling agents scheduled to receive theirs on Sunday, as part of an exercise that will benefit about 2,500 beneficiaries.

The official ceremony, held in Kano, saw land allocation documents presented to Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), Senior Special Reporters, Special Assistants (SAs), Special Reporters and Personal Assistants (PAs) serving under the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Governor Yusuf, whose address was delivered by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, said the distribution underscored his administration’s commitment to fulfilling promises made to those who served the government.

“Today is not merely about presenting land allocation documents; it is about keeping a promise,” the governor said in the message read on his behalf.

He recalled that he had assured the political appointees during an engagement last month that they would receive land allocations, noting that Saturday’s presentation fulfilled that pledge.

The governor said Saturday’s exercise covered political appointees, while polling agents would receive their allocation documents on Sunday, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to about 2,500.

He described the initiative as part of the administration’s broader effort to reduce the state’s housing deficit, promote home ownership, create wealth for families and reward loyalty, commitment and hard work.

Yusuf urged beneficiaries to regard the allocations as the beginning of their journey towards property ownership rather than simply pieces of paper.

He also highlighted his administration’s achievements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, water supply, social intervention and land administration, including the digitalisation of land records, reforms aimed at improving transparency, and preparations for a new Kano Metropolitan Master Plan.

The governor called on the beneficiaries to continue engaging with residents by explaining government policies and programmes while providing feedback that would strengthen governance.

“The greatest campaign any government can undertake is the visible impact of its work on the lives of the people,” he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, said the exercise reflected the administration’s commitment to rewarding loyalty and fulfilling its promises.

“This programme reflects the character of this administration—a government that keeps its promises and rewards loyalty, commitment and hard work,” Umar said.

He noted that records available to the ministry showed that no previous administration in Kano had undertaken land allocations on such a scale within such a short period.

According to him, the initiative forms part of the government’s broader plan to reduce the housing deficit, expand access to land ownership, empower young people, women and vulnerable groups, and create lasting wealth through secure property ownership.

He urged beneficiaries to regard the allocations as a lifetime opportunity and continue supporting the administration by sensitising residents to its programmes and achievements across various sectors.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Sani Tukur described the gesture as a demonstration of the government’s appreciation for their service.

“We receive this generous gesture with gratitude and humility. It is more than just an allocation of land; it is a clear reflection that our service is valued,” he said.

Tukur pledged the continued loyalty and commitment of the beneficiaries to the administration and prayed for Allah to grant the governor good health, wisdom and strength to continue leading Kano State.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has inaugurated a committee chaired by Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba to draft the blueprint for his 2027 governorship campaign, with the mandate of reviewing the implementation of the administration’s 2023 manifesto, My Commitment for Kano, and producing a new policy document, Blueprint 2.0, to guide a possible second term.

The Daily Reality reports that the announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Friday.

He said the committee would work under the close supervision of Governor Yusuf and his deputy, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, to develop a comprehensive policy framework for the administration’s next phase.

According to the statement, Dr. Magashi will serve as chairman of the committee, while the Executive Chairman of Strategic Governance and Policy Coordination, Dr. Yusuf Ya’u Gambo, will serve as secretary.

Other members of the committee are Dr. Ibrahim Musa, Special Adviser on Health Services and Personal Physician to the Governor; Mallam Haladu Muhammad, Technical Adviser on Education Reform; Muhammad Nazir Halliru, Director General of the Kano State Investment Promotion Agency (Kan-Invest); Nana Asma’u Jibrin, Director General of Research and Documentation; Dr. Bashir Abdu Muzakkar, Director General of the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA); Dr. Farouk Kurawa, Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA); Kabiru Sani Yakubu, Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO); Dr. Abdulhadi Zubairu Chula, Executive Chairman of Ajingi Local Government Council; Engr. Yesmin Mukhtar, Senior Special Assistant on Women Education; Dr. Halima Umar Sani of Bayero University; Dr. Kabiru Shehu; Barr. Musa Lawan Abdullahi; Dr. Nasiru Alasan Kabo; and Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso.

Dawakin Tofa said the committee had been tasked with reviewing the implementation of the 2023 blueprint, identifying areas that had yet to be fully executed and incorporating them into Blueprint 2.0.

“The committee is mandated to review the implementation of the 2023 blueprint, My Commitment for Kano, identify areas yet to be fully implemented and incorporate them into Blueprint 2.0,” he said.

He added that the committee would also articulate Governor Yusuf’s priorities and strategic vision for a second term spanning 2027 to 2031.

According to the statement, the committee is expected to engage stakeholders from both state and non-state sectors to generate innovative ideas and policy recommendations for a comprehensive and inclusive blueprint.

“The blueprint will consolidate the gains of the present administration and accelerate Kano State’s development through a people-driven policy framework,” Dawakin Tofa said.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a wide-ranging reshuffle in his administration, appointing former All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson in the state, Ahmed Muhammad Aruwa, as Special Adviser on Publicity.

The appointment, along with several others, was confirmed on Thursday in a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity at Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

According to the statement, the changes are part of efforts to “strengthen governance structure and enhance service delivery across key sectors.”

Aruwa’s inclusion is notable given his previous role as a prominent opposition voice in Kano politics under the APC.

His new appointment comes alongside other strategic additions to the governor’s advisory team aimed at reinforcing administrative coordination.

Among those also appointed are Bello Nuhu Bello as Special Adviser on Administration in the Governor’s Office,  Buhari Sule Kura on NGOs, and Yahuza Ado Yankaba, who was elevated to Special Adviser on Motor Parks after serving previously as Senior Special Assistant in the same capacity.

Several other advisers were also named to different portfolios as part of the reshuffle.

The government further announced the scrapping of the Special Adviser roles on Domestic Affairs and Liaison Offices (Abuja), with affected officials reassigned to new responsibilities.

Habiba Mustapha Barwa was moved to Special Duties (Women), while Umar Uba Akawu was reassigned to the Cabinet Office (Political). Other adjustments also affected portfolios in administration, information, NGOs, and empowerment.

Governor Yusuf said the restructuring was designed to improve efficiency and better align government operations with his administration’s priorities.

He congratulated the appointees and urged them to justify the confidence placed in them through “commitment, loyalty, and dedicated service” to the people of Kano State.

He also directed all officials affected by the scrapped positions to report to the Secretary to the State Government for further briefing, adding that some of the remaining portfolio assignments would be announced upon his return to the country.

By Uzair Adam

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has urged Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to assert stronger authority against individuals undermining his administration in the state.

Sanusi made the remarks during the traditional post-Eid homage visit to the governor, a long-standing cultural practice observed after Sallah celebrations in Kano.

The emir said effective leadership requires a balance of justice and authority, citing the Qur’an to support his position.

According to him, Allah, after mentioning messengers and revealed books in the Holy Qur’an, also referred to iron, which scholars interpret as a symbol of strength and authority necessary for the protection of justice.

He commended Governor Yusuf for investments in education, healthcare and social welfare programmes but cautioned against showing undue respect to individuals who do not value it.

Sanusi noted that many residents now perceive the governor as excessively tolerant because of the growing disorder in parts of the state.

He advised the governor to demonstrate firmness by ensuring that law-abiding citizens continue to live peacefully while those violating the law face appropriate consequences.

The emir added that reactions from the gathering indicated public support for decisive leadership and pledged the emirate council’s support for the administration, stressing that the success of the government is tied to Kano’s collective progress.

In his response, Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the emir and members of the emirate council, while apologising for the cancellation of the Hawan Daushe procession during the Eid celebrations.

The governor explained that the decision was taken to prevent possible violence and maintain public safety.

Yusuf stated that he fears no one except Allah and said his restraint in handling sensitive issues was aimed at protecting lives and preserving peace in the state.

He also recalled previous incidents of violence during public outings, insisting that security considerations informed the government’s actions.

Security agencies have repeatedly suspended Sallah horse-riding activities in Kano amid tensions surrounding the ongoing emirship dispute involving Muhammadu Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero, which remains before the court.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has inaugurated a committee to identify illegal structures and review building approvals across Kano metropolis as part of efforts to strengthen urban planning and environmental safety.

While inaugurating the committee on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, described the assignment as critical to the physical, economic, and environmental development of the state.

He expressed concern over the growing trend of indiscriminate construction of buildings without proper approvals, saying the development poses serious challenges to public safety, environmental sustainability, and orderly urban growth.

According to him, despite existing regulations guiding physical development in the state, some individuals continue to embark on construction projects without obtaining the necessary documentation from relevant authorities.

The SSG urged members of the committee to carry out their responsibilities with diligence, integrity, and commitment in the overall interest of Kano residents.

The committee is chaired by the Director General of the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS), Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani.

Other members include retired Permanent Secretary and former Head of the Department of Architecture at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, Dayyabu Zubairu Gani; Barrister Ahmad Sunusi of the Kano Internal Revenue Service (KIRS); Umar Musa Umar of Northwest University Kano; retired Surveyor General Abubakar Usman; Dr. Zainab Ibrahim Jibril; retired civil servant Sunusi Abdullahi K/Naisa; Freedom Radio’s Muzammil Ibrahim Yakasai; and Bello Zakari, Special Assistant on Revenue to the DG KANGIS.

Mustapha Ibrahim Fagge, Director of Administration and General Services at KANGIS, will serve as secretary of the committee, while Yusuf Yakubu Ismail from the Office of the Head of Civil Service will serve as co-secretary.

The committee has been mandated to identify illegal structures in Nasarawa, Tarauni, Kumbotso, and Fagge local government areas.

It is also expected to review all approvals granted within the last one year and determine those processed under both the immediate past and current managing directors.

In addition, the committee is tasked with recommending measures to halt illegal developments and advising the government on sustainable solutions to improve compliance with physical planning laws and urban development policies.

The committee is expected to submit its report within four weeks.

Responding on behalf of the committee members, Chairman Dr. Dalhatu Aliyu Sani thanked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for finding them worthy of the assignment.

He said the confidence reposed in the committee reflected the government’s trust in their professionalism and commitment to service delivery.

Dr. Sani added that reforms and achievements recorded under his leadership at KANGIS, especially in the areas of discipline and institutional development, had strengthened public confidence in the agency.

He assured the government that the committee would work tirelessly to justify the confidence reposed in it.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has constituted a 13-member committee to coordinate activities marking the third anniversary of the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Director General of Media and Publicity, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, who said the committee was approved by the governor to organise programmes that will highlight the achievements of the “Gida Gida” administration.

According to the statement, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, will head the committee as chairman, while key members include commissioners and top government officials drawn from different ministries and agencies.

Those appointed include the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Marwan Ahmad; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf; Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahir Muhammad Jashim; Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud; and Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gwani Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda.

Others are the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Umar Garko; Commissioner for Rural and Community Development, Abdulkadir Abdussalam; Special Adviser, Cabinet Office, Adda’u Lawan Kutama; Director General, Media and Publicity, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa; Director General, Protocol, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo; and Director General, Research and Documentation, Hajiya Nana Asma’u Jibrin.

The Permanent Secretary, Research, Evaluation and Political Affairs (REPA), Alhaji Muhammad Jalo, will serve as secretary of the committee.

The statement noted that the committee has been tasked with organising a “befitting programme” to commemorate the anniversary and showcase what it described as key achievements of the current administration.

Governor Yusuf is expected to formally inaugurate the committee at 3:00 p.m. on Friday at the Cabinet Office conference hall in Kano.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has issued a strong warning to his former political ally and mentor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over what he described as repeated attacks against him.

The governor spoke on Monday in Rano during the official affirmation of Sulaiman Kawu Sumaila as the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Kano South.

Yusuf said his decision to remain silent should not be seen as weakness, adding that he could respond publicly if the situation continues.

He said, “For us, Kano peace is our priority, but if we are pushed to the wall, we will open our mouths and talk. Silence is not a sign of fear.

“To even keep quiet is an act of worship, not because we are afraid, not because we are kids. How could a 69-year-old call a 63-year-old a kid? It is just a personal respect that you are slightly elder than me.

“However, if an old man does not respect himself and keeps quiet, the younger one will have what to say. So, we are pleading with them in the name of Almighty and His Messenger to keep their mouths shut. Else, you will hear a lot of revelations.”

The remarks marked one of the governor’s strongest public responses to the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement since both politicians fell apart earlier this year.

Yusuf’s comments followed a recent interview granted by Kwankwaso to Trust TV, where the former Kano governor criticised Yusuf’s decision to leave the Kwankwasiyya movement.

Kwankwaso, who is also a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Coalition (NDC), reportedly stated that the movement played a major role in Yusuf’s emergence as governor after serving as his personal assistant.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has raised concern over what it described as the growing misuse of court orders to claim public assets, warning that the trend poses a threat to justice, social stability, and public interest.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf sounded the warning at the 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ungogo Branch, held in Kano, where he was represented by the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.

The governor expressed concern that individuals increasingly obtain court orders to assert ownership over properties such as schools, hospitals, graveyards, and other public facilities, often disrupting long-standing community use.

“When judicial decisions of such magnitude promote private interests at the expense of societal well-being, the true sense of justice is undermined,” he said.

He noted that in some cases, claimants secure restraining orders within a short period, preventing communities from accessing essential public assets that have served generations.

While reaffirming respect for the judiciary, the governor cautioned that such developments, if unchecked, could erode public confidence in the justice system and complicate efforts to maintain order and security.

The warning comes amid broader concerns about evolving security challenges in the state and across northern Nigeria, which he described as complex and interconnected, often driven by social and economic factors.

Speaking on the theme of the Law Week, “The Role of Law and Technology in Addressing Insecurity in Contemporary Nigeria,” the governor said modern security threats require a combination of sound legal frameworks and technological innovation.

According to him, security goes beyond the absence of crime to include justice, public trust, and the effective functioning of institutions. He added that a society may remain insecure despite the presence of security forces if citizens lack confidence in the system or experience delays in justice delivery.

He stressed that while law provides the foundation for order, technology plays a critical role in enhancing intelligence gathering, improving investigations, and strengthening coordination among security agencies.

Highlighting steps taken by his administration, the governor said Kano State has strengthened its legal and security architecture through collaboration with stakeholders and the introduction of community-based initiatives such as neighbourhood security structures aimed at boosting grassroots intelligence.

He also outlined reforms in the justice sector, including the recruitment of over 70 state counsel to address manpower shortages and improve the administration of criminal justice.

To modernise operations, the government has deployed digital tools such as high-speed internet and computer systems within the Ministry of Justice, alongside the engagement of legal consultants to reduce case backlogs.

In addition, the administration has invested in judicial infrastructure through the renovation of courts and construction of new facilities across the state, while also improving the welfare of judicial officers.

The governor further acknowledged the role of the Nigerian Bar Association in promoting the rule of law and supporting governance, describing its partnership with the state as constructive and beneficial.

He added that beyond enforcement measures, addressing insecurity requires tackling underlying issues such as poverty, unemployment, and social dislocation, which he identified as major drivers of crime.