Kano

By Usman Mujtaba Shehu

Out of Nigeria’s roughly 250 million people, more than 50 million are young people aged 16–35. This demographic fact is obvious, yet its implications remain insufficiently grasped—not only by policymakers, but by democracy itself.

Nigerian democracy now stands at a crossroads. On one side are the political actors who systematically extract from the system for private gain; on the other is the steadily eroding trust of citizens in the institutions meant to serve them. Free and fair elections have become as unreliable as the national power supply—intermittent at best, absent at worst. In one state a governor publicly praises INEC; in the neighbouring state the same institution is denounced after the next poll. The inconsistency is no longer surprising; it is structural.

It is against this backdrop that we approach the 2027 general elections. My particular concern with the youth is not abstract: I am one of them, and we constitute the single largest bloc of the population. Yet sheer numbers do not automatically translate into power. The Pareto principle still holds: although young people form the majority, only a committed minority among us will drive meaningful change on the issues that the most affect our generation.

Nigerian youth are entering another election cycle inside a political system deliberately structured to reward sycophancy over accountability. Beyond any single election, democracy itself remains under threat for as long as the integrity of the voters stays in doubt. How can a democracy endure—let alone thrive—when citizens lose the practical ability to decide who governs them?

How did we arrive here? The answer is as painful as it is multi-layered. Governance has been reduced to a competition to empty the public treasury. That treasury is funded by taxpayers and was meant to finance the infrastructure and services that improve ordinary lives. The predictable result is that more than half the country now lives in extreme poverty, including an entire generation of young people who feel they have nothing left to lose except their marginalisation and their poverty. A generation with almost no stake in the society they inhabit is a dangerous political reality.

Yet political apathy is not the answer. Young people must move from the sidelines onto the field—active participants rather than passive spectators. First, we must reaffirm our belief in democratic processes. This election cycle should command our attention and our planning. We must be prepared to rewrite the script; otherwise we cannot confront a political class that is corrupt, self-serving and skilled at manipulation. Until we confront what stands before us with conviction and sustained effort, electoral outcomes will continue to reflect the interests of the powerful rather than the choices of the people.

We should refuse to remain permanent victims of an imperfect democracy. Those among us who are educated and organised carry a particular responsibility to reach those who are not. A significant number of young Nigerians never attended school, dropped out early, or could not afford to continue. The out-of-school crisis is not confined to children; many young adults are also effectively unschooled. The roughly 20 percent of us with the resources, networks and education to act must treat this as a collective task. The issues are too urgent for half-measures, laziness or aloofness.

The task before us requires all hands on deck—including Musa in the North, who may sell sugarcane for a living, and Blessing in the South, who may be struggling to survive in an informal economy. Their economic circumstances should not make their political voices less important. If anything, those who bear the greatest burden of bad governance have the greatest stake in changing it.

Election Day should not simply be another day of political theatre. It should be a day when Nigerian youths exercise the power that democracy gives them: the power to choose who will govern them.

The 2027 election is a golden opportunity for young Nigerians to look beyond political class and elites and ask harder.  As Dr Usman Bugaje has put it, “2027 is a chance for the youths to take back their country”. We must come back to our senses and stop imitating the worst habits of the current political class and begin the harder work of replacing them. We must refuse to be manipulated.

The script can be changed—not through violence, thuggery or disorder, but through the quiet, decisive power of our votes. We have no reason to be afraid. With our numbers, they already know: we can.

Usman Mujtaba Shehu writes from Kano and can be reached via usmanmujtabashehu@gmail.com

By Uzair Adam

The Association of Muslim Health Students (AMHS), Kano State Chapter, is set to host its maiden Marriage Conference 2026, bringing together Muslim students and young health professionals across the state to discuss marriage, family life and Islamic values.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by Abdullahi Nuhu, Ameer of the Association of Muslim Health Students (AMHS), Kano State Chapter, who said the conference was designed to provide participants with practical guidance on building successful and peaceful families.

The Daily Reality reports that the two-day conference is scheduled to hold on September 12 and 13, 2026, at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, under the theme, “Beyond the Stethoscope: From Amanah to Sakeenah.”

According to the association, the event will bring together Muslim students, young health professionals, scholars, intending couples, married couples, parents and other stakeholders to address important issues relating to marriage and family life.

Nuhu said the conference was particularly aimed at helping students and young health professionals better understand the responsibilities and demands of marriage while balancing their academic and professional commitments.

He explained that discussions at the conference would cover issues such as the purpose of marriage, compatibility, communication, responsibilities, resilience and preparation for a successful and peaceful marital life.

“The conference is designed to prepare hearts, build homes and strengthen families by providing practical and Islamic insights into marriage and family life,” Nuhu said.

The organisers said participants would have the opportunity to benefit from scholarly lectures, interactive sessions, marriage guidance and counselling, as well as other educational and engaging activities.

The association added that registered participants would also receive souvenirs, two square meals daily throughout the two-day conference and certificates of participation.

AMHS Kano State Chapter therefore called on Muslim students, young professionals, intending couples, married couples, parents and other members of the public to register and participate in the conference.

“Beyond the Stethoscope, Towards Sakeenah — Preparing Hearts, Building Homes, Strengthening Families,” the organisers said, describing the gathering as an opportunity to equip participants with knowledge and guidance for purposeful family life.

Registration for the conference is currently open, while interested participants can contact the AMHS Kano State Chapter on 07063128755 for registration and further enquiries.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Voice of Concerned Teachers (VCT) Forum has raised concerns over the conduct of elections into the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kano State, alleging that no election was held in 42 of the state’s 44 local government areas.

In a press briefing, the forum’s chairman, Comrade Abbas Adamu, alleged that elections were conducted only in Nasarawa and Ungogo Local Government Areas.

“Apart from these two local governments, all the remaining 42 local governments’ NUT officials refused to consider any teacher as a contestant,” Malam Abbas Adamu alleged.

The forum further claimed that rather than conducting elections, NUT officials in the affected local government areas declared themselves winners unopposed.

The VCT Forum described the alleged development as a cause for concern, highlighted what it said were irregularities in the process, and called on the Kano State Government and other stakeholders to intervene.

The Daily Reality could not independently verify the allegations. Efforts to reach NUT officials for a response were also unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

NUT officials have not yet publicly responded to the allegations.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Human rights lawyer and activist Abba Hikima has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of detaining Kano-based blogger Maryam Shehu for more than 30 days without charging her with an economic or financial crime.

Hikima made the allegation in a post on his verified Facebook page, saying Shehu was arrested in Kano and subsequently detained by the EFCC in Abuja after she allegedly raised corruption concerns involving some EFCC officials.

According to the lawyer, Shehu is not accused of stealing, fraud, money laundering or any other economic or financial crime. He also alleged that an EFCC official lured her with a business proposal before her arrest and transfer to Abuja.

Hikima further questioned the EFCC’s handling of the matter, arguing that the agency should not simultaneously act as complainant, investigator and judge in allegations involving its own officials.

He called for Shehu to either be charged before a competent court if she committed an offence or released to allow an independent investigation into the allegations against EFCC officials. He also appealed to human rights organisations to intervene in the case.

“Investigation is not punishment,” Hikima said, while calling for Shehu’s release or prosecution.

The EFCC had not responded to the accusations at the time of filing this report.

The allegations by Hikima could not be independently verified at the time of publication.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two men suspected of having links to cattle theft and an alleged attempt to compromise an investigation in Alkaleri Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as 26-year-old Abdullahi Adamu and 20-year-old Muktashir Idris, both residents of Jarmai Village in Dangi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The command’s spokesperson disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Sunday.

The statement said the development followed a report by two residents of Yalo Village, Alkaleri LGA, over the theft of 103 cattle by unidentified gunmen in July 2026.

According to the police, the complainants formally reported the matter at the Alkaleri Divisional Headquarters on August 6, 2026.

Police operatives later moved to Mararaban Liman Katagum, where the complainants reportedly identified three of the missing cattle.

The police said a traditional leader in the area helped the operatives to arrest the two suspects, who were taken to the police division on August 7.

During questioning, Idris allegedly told investigators that his master, identified as Alaba, sent him to sell the stolen cattle.

The command said efforts were in progress to apprehend Alaba.

The investigation also uncovered an alleged attempt to influence the case with N400,000.

The police said a brother of one of the complainants told investigators that Alaba had given him the money to compromise the case. The cash was subsequently recovered and kept as an exhibit.

According to the command, the man had earlier indicated that he would help the police secure Alaba’s arrest but did not fulfil the promise.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

The police said the suspects would be charged to court after the investigation is concluded.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has urged beneficiaries of its land allocation programme not to sell their plots, saying the allocations are intended to provide long-term security and wealth for families rather than short-term financial gain.

The call was made on Sunday during the presentation of land allocation documents to polling agents in Kano under the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Governor Yusuf, in a speech delivered by the Commissioner for Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Nura Ma’aji Sumaila, said the land allocation programme was part of a broader policy to expand home ownership across the state.

He said the initiative would gradually be extended to more segments of society, including young people, women, civil servants, community leaders and other hardworking citizens, as part of efforts to reduce the housing deficit and improve family security.

The governor noted that beneficiaries had received plots in professionally planned government layouts equipped with road networks, drainage systems, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, places of worship, parks and other public infrastructure.

According to him, proper urban planning would make it easier for government to provide essential services while increasing the long-term value of the properties.

The Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, urged beneficiaries not to dispose of their plots because of short-term financial needs.

“Please do not sell your land allocation because of short-term financial needs. Instead, develop it, build your home and create a lasting asset for your family,” Umar said.

He explained that the allocated plots were located within government-approved layouts designed to create organised, safe and sustainable communities where families could live, invest and prosper.

Umar contrasted the layouts with illegal land developments, popularly known as Awon Igiya, which he said had contributed to unplanned settlements, flooding, traffic congestion, insecurity, land disputes and slum conditions across parts of the state.

He said the government remained committed to ending illegal land development and restoring order to land administration across Kano State.

The Daily Reality recalls that the Kano State Government on Saturday commenced the distribution of land allocation documents to political appointees, including Senior Special Assistants, Senior Special Reporters, Special Assistants, Special Reporters and Personal Assistants. 

The government said the exercise, which concluded on Sunday with the presentation to polling agents, was expected to benefit about 2,500 beneficiaries as part of its broader effort to expand home ownership and reduce the state’s housing deficit.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A suspected bandit attack on Makoda town in Makoda Local Government Area of Kano State has left one person dead and two others injured, according to security sources.

Security analyst Bakatsine disclosed the incident in a post on X on Friday. He said the attack took place on Thursday night after more than 30 armed men stormed the community on motorcycles.

The attackers reportedly fired repeatedly, which forced residents to flee for safety. They also escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash after carrying out the assault.

Bakatsine said residents described the assailants as heavily armed. The attack caused panic across the community before the gunmen fled.

He wrote: “Last night, suspected bandits launched an attack on Makoda town, Makoda LGA in Kano State, killing one person, injuring two others and reportedly fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.

“Residents said more than 30 heavily armed men arrived on motorcycles, opened fire indiscriminately and left the community in panic before escaping. If armed groups can now strike communities in Kano with such ease, what does that say about the country’s ability to prevent insecurity from spreading even further?”

By Uzair Adam 

The Federal High Court in Kano has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has no legal authority to carry out enforcement operations on roads under the control of the Kano State Government or its local government councils.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice M. S. Shuaibu held that the commission acted beyond its statutory powers when its personnel stopped, questioned and delayed motorists on township roads in Kano in July 2025.

The suit was instituted by Kano-based lawyer, Abba Hikima, who challenged the legality of the commission’s operations on state roads, arguing that FRSC officials violated his fundamental rights by demanding his driver’s licence and interrogating him despite the absence of any traffic offence.

The court agreed with the applicant, ruling that the actions of the FRSC officers violated the rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed under Sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Shuaibu granted all the major reliefs sought by Hikima, including a perpetual injunction restraining FRSC personnel from stopping, harassing or interfering with motorists on Kano State roads without lawful authority.

The court also ordered the commission to publish a public apology in a national newspaper and awarded the applicant N800,000 as damages and litigation costs.

The dispute arose in July 2025 after FRSC operatives mounted checkpoints on township roads within Kano metropolis, where they stopped motorists to demand driver’s licences and question them even when no primary traffic offence had been committed.

Hikima maintained that the FRSC’s powers are limited to federal highways and do not extend to roads under state or local jurisdiction, a position the court upheld in its judgment.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Coordination Office of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has trained extension officers and other stakeholders on Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and referral pathways.

The workshop, organised under the World Bank-supported livestock development programme, was aimed at strengthening the capacity of project personnel, field extension officers and other stakeholders to promote inclusive and safe livestock development across the state.

Speaking at the event, the Kano State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Salisu Inuwa, said the training was organised to equip extension officers with the knowledge required to address gender-related challenges among livestock farmers and pastoral communities.

Represented by the project’s Extension Officer, Gambo Isa Garko, Dr. Inuwa said the project considers gender equity and social inclusion critical to its success because it works directly with livestock farmers and Fulani pastoralists whose livelihoods are shaped by household and community dynamics.

He said the knowledge acquired during the training would be cascaded to farmers and pastoralists across the state to help reduce gender imbalance, encourage mutual respect and foster greater inclusion in livestock production.

“We are saying everybody is important. Let us include women in activities of men, include men in activities of women and respect each other’s opinions in the household,” he said.

Dr. Inuwa said about 96 participants attended the workshop, including 60 extension officers, who are expected to replicate the sensitisation in communities across Kano’s 44 local government areas.

He expressed optimism that the extension officers would reach thousands of farmers directly and indirectly through community-based sensitisation sessions during the lifespan of the project.

The Gender and Gender-Based Violence Officer of Kano L-PRES, Hajiya Ummi Sarki Abubakar, said the workshop formed part of the project’s continuous sensitisation programme to ensure staff and field extension officers understand the World Bank’s safeguards on gender inclusion and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

She said participants were also sensitised on referral pathways and the “Do No Harm” Code of Conduct to ensure cases of gender-based violence are handled professionally, without exposing survivors to stigma or discrimination.

“It is the responsibility of every member, directly or indirectly, to uphold these policies to ensure dignity, safety, protection and equal opportunities for all beneficiaries,” she said.

Delivering a presentation on Gender Equity and Social Inclusion, the Director of the Centre for Gender Studies and Livelihood Enhancement at Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Dr. Zahra’u Bamali Nouruddeen, said sustainable development can only be achieved when women, youths and other vulnerable groups are given equal access to opportunities and resources.

She said many women remain excluded not because they lack the ability to contribute, but because they are often denied access to information and training that would empower them economically.

“If you don’t call me, if you don’t show me the way, if you don’t train me, how will I know I am important?” she asked.

Also delivering a presentation, Zainab Baba, Social Livelihood Officer and Gender Desk Officer of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in Jigawa State, highlighted the importance of referral pathways and codes of conduct in addressing gender-based violence.

She said project personnel must understand where survivors should be referred for appropriate services while ensuring that workplaces and project communities remain safe, inclusive and free from all forms of abuse.

One of the participants, Hajiya Bilkisu Ado Zango, Chief Executive Officer of Media Advocacy for Inclusion and Development, described the workshop as timely, saying it brought issues affecting persons with disabilities into discussions on gender, livestock development and gender-based violence.

She said the awareness created through the training would encourage more persons with disabilities to speak up against gender-based violence and participate actively in development programmes.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kebbi State Hisbah Board has arrested 25 youths in Argungu town over alleged involvement in immoral activities during an operation carried out at a hotel.

The exercise was conducted by operatives of the board under the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The Director of Shariah of the board, Sirajo Kamba, disclosed this in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

He said, “On July 3, the Kebbi Hisbah Board carried out a raid at a hotel in Argungu and successfully apprehended 25 suspects allegedly involved in immoral activities.

“Those arrested include 12 males and 13 females.

“The operation is part of the board’s ongoing efforts to combat social vices, promote moral values, and maintain peace and decency across Kebbi,” he said.

Kamba stated that the board would carry out a detailed investigation in line with the law. He added that anyone found guilty after the investigation would face legal action.

The operation formed part of ongoing measures by the Hisbah Board to address social misconduct and strengthen moral standards in the state.