Headlines
Five factors that increase divorce rate in Kano
Aminu Abdullahi
A sociologist at Bayero University Kano (BUK) Aminu Sabo Dambazau has identified five factors that increase the rate of divorce in Kano state.
Mr Dambazau told Kano Focus on Thursday that the factors including mismatched characters, rivalry, forced marriage, suspicion, and dissatisfaction.
Mismached characters
Mr Dambazau said intending couples rush into marriage without understanding each other.
“Some people misuse the courtship period in solely expressing their feelings without exploring the characters and expectations of their partners.
“They neither understand the obligations and responsibilities of marriage nor do they have the chance to find out the characters, habits, and life views of each other.
“Therefore after marriage when their true characters appear they would start to have problem in their marriages.” Mr Dambazau said.
Rivalry
The scholar said about 45% of divorce cases in Kano state are caused by co-wife rivalry.
He said a lot of marriages come to an end the moment the husband starts wooing a second wife.
“Most women do not accept a co-wife and prefer to end the marriage than share their husbands with another woman.
“This habit leads to the breakup of many marriages,” he stated.
Forced marriage
Mr Dambazau said another major factor that causes divorce in Kano state is forced marriage.
He said women are still forced into marrying a man they do not love due to financial or social pressure on the parents.
“Whenever a wife doesn’t like her husband she will do anything possible to get a divorce.
“Frankly speaking, forced marriage will never last as no one can stay with a person he hates,” he stated.
Suspicion
The BUK sociologist said suspicion among couples contributes immensely to the high rate of divorce in Kano state.
“No couple will live in peace as long as they are suspicious of one another.
“Unfortunately this is a growing problem as some women always check their husband’s phones in order to find incriminating evidence.” Mr Dambazau said.
Dissatisfaction
He added that some husbands fail to gratify the needs of their wives such as feeding, clothing, and sexual desire.
“Whenever a husband fails to feed his wife he will not get respect from her.
“How will you marry a woman when you cannot cater for her needs?
“This is what is happening in our society.” The lecturer said.
The road to divorce
Some divorcees in Kano corroborated the scholar’s findings.
Maryam Abdullahi, mother of a one year old child said she left her husband after a year because he refused to allow her continue with her studies.
“I was married off to him immediately after completing secondary school even though I told my parents that I want to continue to a higher institution.
“Before the marriage, he promised to allow me continue with my education but he broke the promise after our wedding.” She said.
Ms Abdullahi said she does not regret her decision to end the marriage.
“By God’s will I’ll fulfill my ambition and I’m optimistic to have my desired husband,” Maryam said.
Unfair husband
Another divorcee Surayya Abubakar whose marriage ended after eight months said her husband was giving priority to her co-wife.
“He favored her over me and used to buy things for her that he was not buying for me.
“When I complained, he divorced me.
“Our parents met several times but the mediation was in vain as he did not change.
“I also asked him if I was offending him but he said I wasn’t.” Ms Abubakar said.
I’ll never marry again
But Ramla Yusuf whose marriage lasted five months explained that her husband was a fraud who posed as a rich business man before the marriage.
“I realized that he was a liar during the wedding dinner when he couldn’t provide the bridal gown.
“He lied that he owned a big house but I was taken to an old rental house.
“It turned out that he was jobless and penniless.
“I really suffered in his hand and after only five months I asked him to divorce me.” She said.
Ms Yusuf added that she does not plan to marry again as she didn’t know that marriage could be so painful.
Dirty woman
On his part, a male divorcee, Usman Shehu said he divorced his wife after a year of marriage because she was dirty and did not know how to cook delicious meals.
“I cautioned her to change her habit but she refused and I also complained to her parents but still nothing changed.
“I swear she can spend two days without taking a bath – she was not a wife anybody will bear to live with,” Mr Shehu said.
Another person Umar Ibrahim said he divorced his wife because she did not respect him and his family.
“We married for love but I did not know she was bad until she came to my house.
“She cheated me severely and also inflicted tension between my family and I,” he lamented.
Mr Ibrahim said has been sleeping well since he divorced her two months ago.
How to reduce divorce in Kano
Mr Dambazau, who has a PhD in Sociology, said the best means of reducing the rate of divorce in Kano state is to revive the defunct Zauren Sulhu community forum established by the Ibrahim Shekarau administration.
“Zauren Sulhu was one of the ways to discuss community issues such as marital problems.
“The forum will listen to both sides and counsel them without leading to divorce. He said.
Mr Dambazau said the families of the couples can mediate and save the marriages from divorce.
Islamic perspective
An Islamic cleric Nuhu Muhammad said there are things that couples should observe before getting married.
“Every woman or man should make sure their partner has Islamic knowledge and good character.
“Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said you should marry whoever you agree with his religiosity,” he said.
Mr Muhammad advised couples to avoid telling lies before marriage because most marriages breakdown due to false expectations.
“They don’t display who they are because they blindly want to possess each other so after the marriage when the truth is revealed they divorce.” The Islamic scholar said.
He therefore advised couples to build their marriages based on the teachings of Islam and exercise patience with one another.
Headlines
NAHCON Secures ₦19 Billion Cost Reduction for 2026 Hajj, Pilgrims to Save Over ₦200,000 Each
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a ₦19 billion cost reduction for the 2026 Hajj, following a successful negotiation with Saudi service providers and Nigeria’s State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on the outcome of his recent official visit to Saudi Arabia. He explained that the deal translates to a direct saving of more than ₦200,000 per pilgrim. Nigeria has been allocated 66,910 Hajj slots for the 2026 pilgrimage.
During the visit, NAHCON signed key service contracts with Mashariq Dhahabiyya for Masha’ir operations and Daleel Al-Ma’aleem for transportation. It also secured better accommodation and feeding arrangements in the Markaziyya area of Madinah at competitive rates.
Professor Sale further announced the official fares for the 2026 Hajj as follows:
Maiduguri/Yola: ₦8.12 million
Other northern states: ₦8.24 million
Southern states: ₦8.56 million
He stressed that State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards must remit 50 percent of the fares by October 8, 2025, while full payments from intending pilgrims are due by December 31, 2025.
“The deadlines are critical to enable early bookings and smooth operations,” he said, reaffirming NAHCON’s commitment to delivering a hitch-free Hajj exercise in 2026.
The NAHCON boss also appealed to the media for sustained support in sensitizing the public, noting that effective collaboration will ensure that the commission achieves its goals for Nigerians
… As Gov. Yusuf Condemns CP Bakori’s Partisan Conduct
… Demands His Immediate Removal for Sabotage, Unethical Behaviour
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has condemned in the strongest terms the unprofessional and partisan conduct of the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, describing his actions as deliberate sabotage against the people of Kano and the Nigerian state.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor expressed outrage over the sudden withdrawal of police participation from the 2025 Independence Day celebration in Kano — an order CP Bakori issued just hours before the commencement of the event.
Governor Yusuf said the action was a clear demonstration of bias, insubordination, and betrayal of the Nigeria Police Force’s constitutional duty.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Kano State, we cannot tolerate sabotage to the peace, security, and wellbeing of our citizens. It is disgraceful that a Commissioner of Police would descend so low into partisan politics by boycotting a national event that symbolizes unity, patriotism, and democracy,” Governor Yusuf stated.
The governor accused CP Bakori of consistently aligning with political interests opposed to the will of the people of Kano, thereby eroding public trust in the police command. He described the CP as a “political police officer” who has abandoned professionalism and is actively undermining democracy.
“The police must never be seen as tools of politicians. They are expected to protect all Nigerians, regardless of political leanings. Unfortunately, CP Bakori has turned himself into a willing instrument of division and insecurity in Kano State,” the statement added.
Governor Yusuf therefore led the voices of Kano stakeholders who were present at the 2025 Independence Day Celebration at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, in calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Inspector General of Police to immediately remove CP Bakori from office and replace him with a competent and non-partisan officer who will restore confidence, fairness, and neutrality in policing Kano State.
The stakeholders who joined their voices with that of the Governor included traditional and religious leaders, NNPP members of the state and national assemblies, the business community, youth groups, and labour organizations.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and properties of the people, stressing that no act of sabotage from compromised security officials will succeed in destabilizing Kano under his watch.
He also commended the efforts of other security agencies in the state — with the exception of the police.
Governor Yusuf appreciated the leadership of the state commands of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, and the State Directorate of Security Services, all of whom participated in the 2025 Independence Parade.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Dr. Musa Mohammed Bello, State Focal Person for the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), announced significant progress in a Gavi-funded immunization project implemented in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) across Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, and Borno states since September 2023.
KANO FOCUS reports that the project has recorded notable reductions in the number of zero-dose children those who have not received any vaccines particularly in Kano, where 15 local governments were identified as high-burden areas.
During a recent review meeting focusing on Kano State, stakeholders assessed successes and challenges related to immunization budget allocation, vaccine supply chain disruptions, cold chain management, and access to immunization services by parents and caregivers.
Dr. Bello commended the Kano State government for consistently allocating above 15% of the budget to health surpassing the Abuja Declaration recommendation but pointed out issues with approval and release of funds that hinder smooth project implementation.
He also stressed the need for Kano State to reduce its heavy reliance on donor funding from partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by strengthening local counterpart contributions. Isyaku Lawan Dawakin from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
Dr. Bello further highlighted the strengthening of advocacy and government relationships through the 2023-2024 Accountability Scorecard initiative, which has enabled better communication and cooperation with key government committees on health and appropriation. Evidence-based advocacy built on decentralized immunization monitoring assessments by AFENET has helped identify specific challenges at the local government and health facility levels, informing targeted interventions.
He presented recent data from September 2025 showing high reporting rates from primary health care facilities on routine immunization services via SMS across the targeted local governments, reflecting increased monitoring and responsiveness. The project has fostered deeper understanding of the budgetary process among civil society and health stakeholders, contributing to increased awareness and coordinated action to address zero-dose children.
Crucially, Dr. Bello revealed that Kano State has seen a tremendous decrease in zero-dose children—from over 539,000 in 2020 to around 120,000 by December 2024—attributed to collaborative government and partner efforts.
This achievement underscores the positive impact of strengthened immunization systems, accountability frameworks, and partner coordination in improving child health outcomes across the region.
”This initiative forms part of a broader push to improve immunization coverage and accountability in West Africa, aiming to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated and vulnerable to preventable diseases,” he said.
Isyaku Lawan Dawakin Tofa from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
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