Headlines
UK, Kano signs mutual accountability framework document
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano State has signed a Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) with the United Kingdom.
KANO FOCUS reports that the signing of the agreement on Thursday made the state, the third in the country as Jigawa State and Kaduna states had earlier done on 16 June and 30th June 2021, respectively.
The three states were picked by the United Kingdom for her mutual accountability approach.
The signing was done after the United Kingdom’s (UK) Development Director in Nigeria, Dr Christopher Pycroft, and representatives from the British High Commission held a Strategic Dialogue with the Kano State Government to discuss the Kano Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) between 11th and 12th August.
A statement on Thursday by the British High Commission in Nigeria signed by Policy and Communications Manager, Elva Lynch-Bathgate, said the UK and Kano State Government agreed Mutual Accountability Framework and held strategic dialogue focused on Health, Education, Social Protection, Good Governance, and Sustainable Economic Transformation.
The statement revealed that the Kano MAF, which was signed on 12th August by the UK and Kano State Government, is a policy document that provides the blueprint for the socio-economic development of Kano State, aligned with the overarching Kano State Development Plan (2020-2025).
The statement further said the framework formed the basis for the dialogue with both parties setting out their commitments and ways to hold each other mutually accountable to deliver on these.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje watching Primary school pupils
During the dialogue, technical sessions were held to identify constraints and opportunities and how best the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) can support the Kano State Government to address them and progress delivery of the mutual accountability framework.
The statement read that through this strengthened partnership, mutual commitments, dialogue, transparency, and accountability, greater impact will be achieved in supporting the Kano State Government’s own efforts.
At the strategic dialogue, the UK Development Director in Nigeria, based at the British High Commission, Christopher Pycroft said: “This Strategic Dialogue to discuss our mutual accountability commitments affords us all the opportunity to do more. Kano State faces many challenges on the road to sustainable development – but this Mutual Accountability Framework is a call to action.
Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and Dr Christopher Pycroft
“We can use this strategic dialogue to discuss what both sides can do differently to deliver more results for the people of the state and empower them to fulfil their potential.”
He noted that this dialogue represented the third of a series of high-level engagements between the UK and the state governments of Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa, as earlier this year, the UK also signed Mutual Accountability Framework’s with Jigawa State and Kaduna State.
According to him, these partnerships will drive forward development and support long-term institutional reforms to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for citizens in the state. The strategic dialogues and accountability frameworks also deepen the existing strong relationships with partner states.
With the signing, both the FCDO and partner governments are accountable to the citizens to demonstrate how UK aid is supporting governments’ development agendas and policies.
The Kano MAF was signed at a primary school in Dawakin Tofa LGA, an initiative by the Kano State Governor, which is supported by UK aid, which demonstrates how the UK-Kano partnership is already delivering real impact on the ground.
Through the Kano Literacy and Maths Accelerator (KaLMA) project the school is supported to deliver with the Teaching at the Right Level approach (TaRL), which assesses children on foundational skills and groups them by learning level. Since 2019, through KaLMA over 36,000 primary school children have been supported to build foundational Hausa and English literacy and numeracy skills.
During school closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the KaLMA project pivoted to support the Kano State Government’s efforts to help children continue learning from home.
Governor Ganduje with Primary school pupils
With UK aid, support on home-based and remote learning, including radio broadcasts, has reached children across Kano with programmes in Hausa, English, and Maths.
During this visit, the Development Director, Dr Christopher Pycroft said: “Today I went with His Excellency Governor Ganduje to see how UK development assistance is supporting the Governor’s ambition to improve teaching and learning for Kano’s children.
Through our Strategic Dialogue and Mutual Accountability Framework which we signed today, we have further deepened the relationship between the UK and Kano state in support of the people of Kano.”
On his part, during the strategic dialogue, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, stated that “There is no doubt the relationship between FCDO and the State is helping us to strengthen our institutions. For any sustainable development there must be strong institutions”, adding “We are partners in progress”.
Dr Danlami Hayyo, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and Dr Christopher Pycroft
The statement said FCDO Nigeria has played a strong role over the past decade in the development and growth of Kano and will continue to partner with the state for a sustainable, empowered, and accountable development path for its people.
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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