News
SMEDAN holds retreat for it’s board, management in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, SMEDAN, has organized a retreat for it’s board and management staff in Kano.
Declaring the retreat open, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said his administration since inception till date has empowered over one million youths and women to improve their livelihoods.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Governor who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji said the youths and women were empowered in skills such as modern techniques, animal husbandry, automobile, sanitation vanguards, rice, tomatoes and wheat processing among others.
“the present administration of Kano State considers entrepreneurship support and youth development as top priority,” Ganduje noted.
In his address the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Maryam Yalwaji Katagum has described the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise, MSME sub-sector as the surest way to address the several agitations and tense security challenges across the country.
The Minister represented by her Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Babagana Alkali however maintained that for the sub-sector to to thrive well and address the challenges, there is need for an enabling environment.
According to her, “the recent report of the National Bureau of Statistics as reported on its website portrays a worrying picture of the rate of unemployment in the country. This is in spite of the strident efforts of government in implementing policies targeted at driving growth and creating employment.
“It is therefore obvious that the best way to arrest the above situation is to have a virile MSME sub-sector, possibly with special focus on youth and women.
“It will be recalled that the 2017 National Survey on MSMEs, jointly conducted by SMEDAN and National Bureau of Statistics, NBS revealed that we have over 41 million MSMEs in Nigeria. This figure represents over 80% of the total number of enterprises and accounts for 75% of Nigeria’s total employment base.
“Consequently, if we cannot create an enabling environment for this sub-sector to thrive, we will all suffer it’s negative consequences, mindful of the fact that Mr. President’s target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty is largely hinged on the sub-sector.
“Therefore, in our collective effort towards stimulating a structured and efficient MSME sub-sector in Nigeria, there is the obvious need for all enablers to establish a mutual, but financial partnership that would provide the much sought after environment that is conducive for the sub-sector to thrive,” she said.
In his remarks, the Director General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, SMEDAN, Dikko Umar Radda said Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Sector remains the engine for critical economic growth and poverty reduction globally.
Mr Radda noted the retreat would create enabling environment for stakeholders to hasten development of MSME’s sub sector and it’s growth.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has signed into law four landmark bills that establish new agencies designed to strengthen institutional frameworks and accelerate sustainable development across the state.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
The newly signed laws provide for the establishment of the following agencies:
1. Kano State Protection Agency (KASPA)
2. Kano State Signage and
Advertisement Agency (KASIAA)
3. Kano State Information and Communication Technologies Development Agency (KASITDA)
4. Kano State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (KASMEDA)
These laws, which are now part of the Kano State legal framework, are expected to stimulate innovation, support small businesses, regulate signage and advertising, and enhance public protection and service delivery.
Governor Yusuf described the signing as a significant step toward realizing his administration’s vision of a modern, inclusive, and economically vibrant Kano.
He emphasized that the new agencies will play a crucial role in job creation, investment attraction, and the efficient implementation of government initiatives.
“Our mission is to lay a solid foundation for a greater Kano. These laws go beyond policy — they are key instruments of transformation that will help drive our development agenda,” the Governor stated.
He also issued a strong warning that violations of the provisions of these laws will be met with strict penalties, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring compliance.
The establishment of these agencies reflects Governor Yusuf’s continued efforts to reform public institutions, improve governance, and position Kano as a leading center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
…Tasks him to drive Investment and job creations in emerging economies
The President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has been appointed to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, joining a select group of global business leaders tasked with driving investment and job creation in emerging economies.
KANO FOCUS reports that in a statement confirming his acceptance, the African industrialist reaffirmed his commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth through private sector-led investment, noting the transformative potential of such initiatives in developing markets.
“I am both honoured and excited to accept my appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, dedicated to advancing investment and employment in emerging economies,” Dangote said.
“This opportunity aligns with my long-standing commitment to sustainable development and unlocking the potential of developing economies. Drawing inspiration from the remarkable successes of the Asian Tigers, which have demonstrated the power of strategic investment and focused economic policy, I am eager to collaborate with fellow leaders to replicate such outcomes across other regions.”
The Dangote Group, founded by Aliko Dangote, is the largest conglomerate in West Africa and one of the largest on the African continent. With interests spanning cement, fertiliser, salt, sugar, and oil, the Group employs over 30,000 people and is the largest taxpayer in Nigeria—contributing more in taxes than all of Nigeria’s banks combined. It is also the country’s largest employer after the government.
The $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, the Group’s flagship project, stands as the largest single private investment in Africa.
In addition to his business interests, Dangote leads the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), the largest private foundation in sub-Saharan Africa, with the largest endowment by a single African donor. The Foundation primarily focuses on child nutrition, while also supporting interventions in health, education, empowerment, and disaster relief.
The World Bank announced Dangote’s appointment on Wednesday as part of a broader expansion of its Private Sector Investment Lab, which now enters a new phase aimed at scaling up solutions to attract private capital and create jobs in the developing world.
Joining Dangote in the elite group are Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer AG; Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chair of Bharti Enterprises; and Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
The World Bank said the expanded membership brings together business leaders with proven track records in generating employment in developing economies—supporting the Bank’s sharpened focus on job creation as a central pillar of global development.
“With the expanded membership, we are mainstreaming this work across our operations and tying it directly to the jobs agenda that is driving our strategy,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. “This isn’t about altruism—it’s about helping the private sector see a path to investments that will deliver returns, and lift people and economies alike. It’s central to our mandate.”
The global bank said that over the last 18 months, the Lab brought together leaders from global financial institutions to identify the most pressing barriers to private sector investment in developing countries and to test actionable solutions.
The statement said that the work had now been consolidated into five priority focus areas that were being integrated across the bank operations, including regulatory and policy certainty.
The Lab’s founding members included senior executives from AXA, BlackRock, HSBC, Macquarie, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Ninety One, Ping An Group, Royal Philips, Standard Bank, Standard Chartered, Sustainable Energy for All, Tata Sons, Temasek, and Three Cairns Group. The Lab is chaired by Shriti Vadera, Chair of Prudential plc.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
In a bid to ensure the smooth conduct of the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, the Kano State Government has temporarily suspended the April 2025, End of month sanitation exercise.
KANO FOCUS reports that this decision was taken after careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders, in an effort to allow students of Kano State to write their examination without any hitches.
In a statement issued by the Director Public Enlightenment of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ismail Garba Gwammaja has quoted the Commissioner of Environment and Climate Change Dr. Dahiru M. Hashim saying that:
“The suspension is aimed at preventing any potential disruptions to the examination process and ensuring that candidates can sit for their exams without any hindrance.”
The Commissioner assured residents that the suspension is temporary for this month, and that the sanitation exercise will resume in its full force next month May 2025, in the state.
The Commissioner however, appeals to residents to cooperate with the authorities and understand the rationale behind this decision.
“We are committed to maintaining a clean and healthy environment, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that our sanitation activities do not conflict with other important events in the state,” the commissioner said.
While Commending the residents for their understanding and cooperation to the present administration, urged them to continue to avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste and cooperates with our sanitation staff to ensure clean and healthy environment always, and pray for the successful conduct of students who will sit for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Governor Yusuf Signs Laws Establishing Four New Agencies in Kano
World Bank appoints Aliko Dangote to Elite Group
UTME: Kano suspends end of month sanitation exercise
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