Opinion
[Friday Sermon] Russia-Ukraine Crisis In The Muslim’s Mirror
By Imam Murtadha Gusau
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy
All praise is for Allah, we praise Him, we seek His help, we ask for His forgiveness, and we seek refuge with Allah from the evils of our own souls and the wickedness of our actions, whoever Allah guides, there is none that can lead him astray, and whoever Allah allows to go astray, there is none that can lead him to the right path.
I testify and bare witness that there is no deity worthy of worship in truth but Allah, alone, without any partners. And I testify and bare witness that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His Servant and Messenger.
As for what’s after:
Dear brothers and sisters! This is the Islamic position, from my perspective and understanding, that non-Ukrainian Muslims or Muslims Ummah should have regarding the Russian war against Ukraine:
1. Any global event is relevant to Muslims
Successful people are those who are constantly looking for opportunities to advance their success or to transform their situation into success. Muslims should be wise enough to analyse this situation in order to find any opportunity for their benefits—which are indeed also the benefits of humanity at large—whilst recognising and avoiding any harm for them and for humanity at large. Islam is the way of life that secures maximum benefit and deters maximum harm.
Muslims should feel sad and disturbed when seeing innocent people—Muslim or non-Muslim—killed or driven out of their homes anywhere in the world. Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, those who disbelieve and commit wrong [or injustice] – never will Allah forgive them, nor will He guide them to a path.” [Qur’an, 4: 168]
Indeed injustice is one of the major—if not the major—crimes in the sight of Allah the Most High.
2. Muslims are responsible for justice and injustice
Whilst watching these atrocities, Muslims should acknowledge that they are responsible towards any injustice that takes place in the world, as they are appointed by Allah Almighty to ensure that justice prevails on the planet.
Being the best of nations places a huge responsibility on their shoulders to ensure that justice, according to Divine guidance, is established anywhere in the world. Allah the Most High says:
“Thus, have We made of you an Ummah (nation) justly balanced that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you…” [Qur’an, 2: 143]
“You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah. If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient.” [Qur’an, 3: 110]
In the last century or so, increasingly horrific injustices have been taking place as there is no Muslim superpower that has kept order in the world, acting as a bulwark against major injustices anywhere in the world.
3. A key doctrine in Islamic political philosophy
Only those who follow Divine guidance can form a powerful but humble and just nation, thus they are the only qualified nation to be a superpower. This is because they are the only people who believe that, regardless of whatever power they have, they are still controlled and accountable before another power that is superior to them: Allah.
As we are witnessing, any powerful nation that disbelieves in Allah will become arrogant, unjust, and bent on securing its own interests in spite of the damage done to others in the process. This is why western non-Muslims say that power breeds arrogance. Allah, the creator of everyone, knows this nature of human beings. He Almighty says:
“No! [But] indeed, man transgresses, because he sees himself self-sufficient.” [Qur’an, 96:6-7]
4. Everyone else has an agenda
Although scenes of war, bloodshed and destruction are horrifying, and we should certainly feel disturbed about innocent victims of such aggression, it is not our emotions but our thinking that should dictate long-term and holistic understanding, analysis and solutions for the situation.
It is highly unlikely that the duplicitous and murderous regimes in the West sympathise genuinely with Ukrainians from a purely humanitarian (or even values) perspective. If they did not gain more than they stood to lose then they would simply ignore Ukraine altogether—like the long list of countries suffering in the world, not to mention at the hands of their own allies.
Ukraine has been described as a back yard for many sordid activities by corrupted westerners, but the biggest gain for those pushing for western hegemony is to further weaken and eventually destroy their historical competitor, Russia.
5. What are the outcomes for Muslims?
There are three major powers in the world today: USA, China and Russia. Whilst Russia uses mainly its military power to influence other regions, and China mainly its economic power, the US uses both, but adds a third type of power which is more dangerous: ideological power.
If Russia wins this war, its power and influence would likely advance to more and more countries, including Muslim states formerly in the Soviet Union. This would likely be a threat against many Muslims in Central Asia and Turkey, not to mention being very bad for Muslims in Syria. On the other hand, it may also dent US and western hegemony, slackening the noose around the necks of hundreds of millions of others.
This could open doors for da’awah and other activities for Muslims in many places around the world, other than those under Russian hegemony. In fact, the US will likely repeat the Afghan-Soviet Union model from the cold war, by facilitating more space for Islamic da’awah to progress in certain areas as they know that this is the strongest and most effective way to control the advancement of Russia. It is unlikely that Muslims would face major ideological threats in such a case, since Russia is very weak in that regard.
However, if the US wins this war, then it may tighten its grip on the rest of the world, ramping up its ideological domination. Furthermore, it will also be ready to invade other countries in the world, reinforcing the uni-polar model of the globe. It will increase its support for Israel and other despotic regimes and we will see more injustice against many Muslims, besides the Palestinians.
In the case of a decisive victory for either side, the challenges for the Muslim Ummah are countless, and the da’awah will be very much controlled and limited almost all over the world; by Russian in areas under its hegemony, and by the US and the West in areas under their control.
6. Do not be a pawn in someone else’s chess game
I strongly advise all Muslims around the world not to take part in this war and to be careful not to be used by any side. As history has shown us again and again, Muslims will be used as cannon fodder and once they have served their purpose, they will be imprisoned or have their countries invaded, decimated, and bled dry.
Whilst we work diligently to strategically elevate our Ummah according to our context, time and place, we need to ask Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, to provide for this Ummah solutions for its problems, and to make the outcome of this war goodness for the Ummah of Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and the entirety of humanity.
Respected servants of Allah! It is said that someone’s true nature and beliefs come out when they are in crisis. During this ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis, the political and media establishments in the UK, Europe and the West have been implicitly sharing what they believe about the collective status and worth of Muslims.
Your blood, lives, and honour is worth less to us than that of “civilised Europeans”, with “blonde hair and blue eyes.” Muslim resistance to foreign occupation and oppression (NATO/India/Israel/Russia) is deemed as “terrorism”, while the resistance of Ukrainians is lionised. The BBC celebrates the “brave” Ukrainian women making Molotov cocktail bombs, and the “heroic” Ukrainian soldier who blew himself up. Some may be perplexed why we didn’t see this lionising of the Kashmiris, Palestinians or Syrians, whose women and children continue to bravely resist with rocks and stones.
Your safety, security and salvation when escaping war and famine is important, but you will be treated worse than (some) animals.
While Ukrainian refugees are “welcomed with open arms”, in the same countries that water-hosed, beat and sniper-shot Syrian and Iraqi refugees, black West African students, workers and their families, as well as other “foreign” Muslims are now being blocked from leaving Ukraine, and being turned away at the Polish border. The Ukrainian police have literally threatened them at gunpoint telling them Ukrainians have first priority (many of these West Africans are Christians). Poland, Slovakia and other European countries made it clear in 2015 that they would only accept Christian refugees or migrants.
7. Your Jihad might be fashionable again (if it is saving non-Muslim lives)
There has been a lot of talk on LBC radio about “sending in the mujahidin” to Ukraine to fight Russia. Of course, the West loves the “mujahidin” as cannon fodder for their foreign policy and hegemonic geopolitical interests. But it will hunt down the same mujahidin like animals, along with their families and neighbourhoods, with drones and air strikes when they have served their purpose.
8. Your politics are not welcome in mainstream sports
Should you raise awareness about the plight of the Palestinians (Celtic FC, Moeen Ali) or the Uyghurs (Mesut Ozil) in mainstream sports, be prepared to be penalised or lose sponsorship deals, because we have to “keep politics out of sports.” Unless, of course, it’s a white, non-Muslim European country involved, in which case you’ll have entire teams dabbling in politics by boycotting (Poland, Sweden and Czech Republic have refused to play against Russia). In fact, the sports authorities will even get involved in politics (UEFA Champions League final is being moved to Paris), and an owner of a team (Roman Abramovich) is effectively being kicked out of the country. Showing solidarity with Ukraine is of course a minimum, with Man City and Everton players waving and wearing flags before kick-off.
9. Helping your oppressed could cost you your citizenship
We are often criminalised when we travel to help the oppressed in places like Syria, Palestine and Libya. Whether it is taking up arms to protect people or even simply delivering life-saving aid, countless Muslims have lost their citizenship for having the audacity to empathise with the wrong type of people. But just recently the UK’s foreign minister, Liz Truss, said she “absolutely supports individual Brits travelling to fight in Ukraine.”
10. Invading your countries is justified
When Muslim countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Mali, Somalia, Yemen (the list goes on) are transgressed upon by the West, Russia or their regional proxies, it is either to “bring democracy”, “fight terrorism”, or to “bring peace.” It is never an “invasion” or “occupation.” Even an excuse as outrageous as “because God gave us this land” is still effectively accepted in public discourse about Palestine.
11. Your global political ambitions are extreme
This entire Ukraine-Russia saga has much to do with the former being pushed to become more integrated into the West (NATO, and to a lesser degree the EU). All of the punditry in the western mainstream media, be it from politicians, academics, activists, journalists, or ordinary folks interviewed in the streets, has been about a “unified West” that has “shared beliefs, values and culture” of “freedom and democracy.” We have seen how NATO mobilised its armoury and troops in Poland, Latvia and elsewhere to protect this European/Western bloc.
However, Islamic activists and revivalist movements are labelled “non-violent extremists” and criminalised by western states for wanting a similar type of political unity, based on “shared beliefs, values and culture” of their respective regions. That is because it would be too much of a risk for the West’s geopolitical and hegemonic interests in the Muslim-majority world, and their puppet despots in those countries will ensure such aspirations will be met with brutal persecution. So we are only permitted to make do with useless puppets like the OIC and the Arab League.
12. Where do we go from here?
The disproportionate and selective outpouring of (rightful) sympathy, outrage and solidarity with Ukrainians shown by the entire Western world makes you wonder: what is our actual worth and status as religious or ethnic minorities in a hemisphere whose elites send us the above messages whilst consistently claiming to champion “equality”, “liberty” and “freedom” at home and abroad?
Despite the hypocrisy and double standards towards our people, plight and values, we are not depressed but empowered to make change. Muslims, by their nature and values, build and produce civilisations. Our role is to contribute and make positive change wherever we are. As such, we will continue to convey the message of Islam, and continue to highlight and speak out against injustices and oppression that we see—whoever commits it, unlike those who only do so when it suits their interests.
At the same time, our beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him) warned us that we are not bitten from the same hole twice. We are not sleepwalking; we are wary of the double standards and hypocrisy of some of our elites. But we are also wary of our immense latent power to make change and steer society towards a better direction, and we will continue to do so even if we face challenges and hatred, by the permission of Allah.
May Allah Almighty rectify the Muslims and make them proud and pleased with what Allah and his Messenger legislated for them in all aspects of live.
Allah surely knows best and he is the Lords of the universe and May his peace and blessing be on his Messenger, his family, his companions and those who follow them.
I ask Allah, the Most High to grant us success and enable us to be correct in what we say and write, ameen.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761.
This Jumu’ah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Sha’aban 15, 1443 A.H. (March 18, 2022).
Mustapha Muhammad
As the 2027 general elections draw nearer, the signs pointing towards a possible victory for Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf in his bid for a second term as Executive Governor of Kano State are becoming clearer by the day. The road, once fraught with political obstacles, conflicts, and challenges, appears to be clearing rapidly. Victory is increasingly within sight, God willing.
The foundation of Governor Yusuf’s political momentum rests on his administration’s performance, astute political manoeuvring, successful consensus-building during party primaries, and proactive reconciliation efforts. By bringing key political figures from Kano’s three senatorial districts—South, North, and Central—under one umbrella, coupled with the perceived decline in the influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement following widespread defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Yusuf has positioned himself favourably ahead of the forthcoming election.
He stands out among the contenders for the Kano governorship. His political resilience and strategic departure from what he considers the troubled waters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) demonstrate his ability to navigate complex political challenges in pursuit of victory.
Below are some of the key factors driving Governor Yusuf’s political momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Transformative Governance and Administrative Scorecard
Over the past three years, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has implemented people-oriented projects and policies aimed at improving the lives of Kano residents across critical sectors.
Educational Revitalisation
Increased budgetary allocation: Funding for education rose from 29.5 per cent in 2024 to 30.5 per cent in 2025 and reached 31.5 per cent in 2026, out of a total state budget exceeding ₦1.47 trillion.
Massive recruitment: Nearly 20,000 teachers, including personnel recruited under the Kano State Better Education for All (BESDA) initiative, were employed to address critical teacher shortages in classrooms.
Infrastructure upgrades: Nearly 400 schools across the state’s 44 local government areas (LGAs) have undergone complete renovation, alongside ongoing construction projects.
Academic excellence: Kano State led national performance rankings in the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations in 2025 and 2026. In 2026, the state produced 74,413 candidates who obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, surpassing Lagos State, with 72,496 candidates, and Oyo State, with 55,543.
Healthcare Modernisation and Pension Delivery
Primary healthcare overhaul: More than 340 primary healthcare centres across the 44 LGAs have been renovated.
Hospital expansion: At least 10 new general hospitals have been constructed in underserved LGAs, while work is ongoing on six additional facilities to ensure that every LGA has a dedicated general hospital.
Modern equipment: Health facilities have been equipped with CT scanners, dialysis units, ultrasound machines, and automated laboratory analysers.
Settlement of pension arrears: Of the inherited ₦48 billion backlog of pension and gratuity liabilities, the administration has disbursed more than ₦32 billion to retirees.
Agricultural Development and Rural Infrastructure
Farm mechanisation and subsidies: The state procured 98 tractors and 48 combine harvesters while introducing a 50 per cent fertiliser subsidy programme across all LGAs.
Irrigation expansion: The rehabilitation of the Watari Irrigation Scheme expanded irrigation coverage by 1,000 hectares, with the aim of boosting year-round agricultural production.
Road networks and urban renewal: Eighteen of the 34 planned five-kilometre rural road projects have been completed, with solar streetlights installed. In addition, 12 of the 24 planned urban renewal road projects, covering approximately 76 kilometres, have been delivered.
Bridge reconstruction: The Kubaraci-Kura Bridge was restored, reopening important economic and transportation corridors.
Empowerment and Skills Acquisition
Social safety nets: Monthly stipends of ₦50,000 are provided to 5,200 women, while grants of ₦150,000 have been distributed to youths across the state.
Entrepreneurship: Twenty-six technical and entrepreneurship institutes have been revitalised to provide practical vocational training and equip beneficiaries with relevant skills.
Political Realignment and Party Unity
Governor Yusuf demonstrated political foresight by defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). His decision, in the view of his supporters, was timely and strategically informed by the need to secure his political future.
The subsequent defections from the NNPP by members of the Kwankwasiyya movement have, according to this argument, strengthened the case for his political realignment. The move also positioned him and his supporters within a political platform they consider more advantageous ahead of the 2027 elections.
Furthermore, as the state’s APC leader, Governor Yusuf successfully managed the consensus process during the party primaries, resulting in what supporters described as a “no victor, no vanquished” outcome.
His ongoing reconciliation efforts have also helped bring political stakeholders from Kano’s three senatorial districts together, strengthening the prospect of a united political front ahead of the 2027 polls.
With his administration’s reported achievements, political realignment, and reconciliation efforts, Governor Yusuf’s supporters believe he is well positioned to secure a second term in office.
No doubt, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, is traversing the path to victory in the 2027 general elections.
Mustapha Muhammad is the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf. He writes from Kano.
Jamilu Uba Adamu
Some people come into our lives and leave an indelible mark that transcends blood relations. Through their honesty, humility, nobility, contentment and disregard for worldly ostentation, they become more than friends or acquaintances; they become second fathers whose wisdom and kindness shape our lives.
Late Alhaji Bashir Ahmed Maizare was one such rare individual. His death is not merely the loss of a respected sports administrator but the departure of a father figure, mentor and custodian of Kano’s sporting heritage.
A Bond Beyond Blood
My relationship with the late Maizare began through my elder brother, Abdullahi Bayero Uba Adamu, who worked under him at the Kano State Sports Commission. My passion for sports naturally brought me closer to him and strengthened the bond that would eventually develop into a father-and-son relationship.
I vividly remember the day my elder brother escorted me to Maizare’s residence at Kofar Wambai Quarters in Kano and introduced me to him. What began as a simple introduction blossomed into a lasting relationship. From that day, I became a regular visitor to his home, where I found not just a sports enthusiast and administrator but a father figure whose counsel and encouragement meant so much to me.
His home became a place where I could seek guidance, share my concerns and learn valuable lessons about sports and life. He welcomed my questions, listened patiently to my challenges and offered advice without hesitation. His humility made him approachable, while his wealth of experience made his counsel invaluable.
The Shocking News of His Death
I was attending a training course in Jos, Plateau State, when the news of his death reached me. We had just stepped out for a break after a rigorous and exhausting lecture. I switched on my mobile data to check my WhatsApp messages.
Although I belong to several WhatsApp groups, one platform I regularly follow is the Kano Sports Commission group, driven by my enduring passion for sports in Kano.
After attending to some personal messages, I opened the Commission’s group. Almost immediately, I came across a series of condolence messages announcing the death of Alhaji Bashir Ahmed Maizare.
I was stunned. For a moment, I struggled to comprehend what I was reading. Before I could fully process the devastating news, I received a phone call from Malam Haruna Sabga, one of his neighbours at Kofar Wambai Quarters, who confirmed that Maizare had passed away.
The confirmation plunged me into deep sorrow. I felt like crying, my mood changed instantly, and I completely lost my appetite.
It was difficult to accept that someone who had played such a significant role in my life was gone. Beyond the public figure known within Kano’s sporting circles was a man whose personal kindness, encouragement and fatherly affection had touched my life profoundly.
A Mentor Who Believed in My Potential
One of the qualities I will forever remember about Maizare was his unwavering encouragement. He consistently motivated me to participate actively in sporting activities and supported my efforts to contribute to sports development.
His influence and fatherly support recently contributed to my appointment as Team Manager of the Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team and Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association.
These appointments represent more than personal achievements to me. They also remind me of the encouragement I received from a man who believed in nurturing others and helping them discover opportunities to serve.
Maizare understood that sports administration was not merely about organising competitions or managing teams. It was also about identifying talent, encouraging young people, sharing knowledge and creating opportunities for others to contribute meaningfully to society.
He was always willing to offer guidance whenever I encountered difficulties. Whenever I faced a challenging situation in sports, he was among the first people I contacted. He would listen attentively and offer practical solutions, never making me feel that my concerns were unimportant.
That willingness to help, even when there was nothing to gain personally, distinguished him as a genuine mentor.
His Contribution to Documenting Kano’s Football History
One of the most enduring aspects of my relationship with the late Maizare was his invaluable contribution to the successful writing of my book, *Takaitaccen Tarihin Wasan Kwallon Kafa a Kano* (A Brief History of Football in Kano).
Documenting the history of football in Kano required access to reliable information, historical accounts and the experiences of people who had witnessed the evolution of the game. Maizare proved to be an invaluable source of knowledge and guidance throughout the process.
He never grew tired of attending to me. He patiently answered my questions and shared insights that helped me navigate the challenges of documenting the history of football in the state.
His support went beyond the ordinary assistance of a friend or acquaintance. He understood the importance of preserving sporting history for future generations and willingly contributed to an effort that would help keep Kano’s football heritage alive.
Looking back, I realise that his contribution to the book was part of a much broader legacy. He was not simply sharing information; he was helping preserve the collective memory of Kano’s sporting community.
More Than a Sports Administrator
Late Alhaji Bashir Ahmed Maizare was more than a sports administrator. He was a school from which others could learn, an archive of sporting memories and an encyclopaedia of Kano’s sports history.
His knowledge, built on years of experience and close association with the sporting community, made him a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the development of sports in Kano.
Yet, his greatness was not defined by knowledge alone. His humility, generosity, patience and commitment to youth development made him an exceptional human being.
In a world where positions and titles sometimes create barriers between leaders and those they serve, Maizare remained accessible and approachable. He demonstrated that true leadership is not measured solely by the authority one possesses but also by the lives one touches and the opportunities one creates for others.
His life offers an important lesson to sports administrators and public servants: institutions become stronger when experienced individuals are willing to mentor younger people, preserve institutional memory and pass on knowledge rather than keep it to themselves.
For Kano State, his passing should serve as a reminder of the importance of documenting the experiences of veteran sports administrators and preserving the history of the state’s sporting achievements. When such individuals pass away without their knowledge and experiences being adequately documented, society risks losing an irreplaceable part of its heritage.
A Loss Beyond the Family
The death of Alhaji Bashir Ahmed Maizare is a profound loss not only to his immediate family but also to the sporting fraternity in Kano State and Nigeria at large.
For those who knew him professionally, he was a repository of sports knowledge and experience. For those who benefited from his mentorship, he was a source of guidance and encouragement. For me, he was a father figure whose support and kindness I will continue to cherish.
Although death has taken him away from us, the values he embodied and the lives he influenced remain part of his enduring legacy. His contributions to sports administration, youth development and the preservation of Kano’s football history will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Personally, I will forever remember him with gratitude. I will remember his patience, his encouragement, his willingness to help and his unwavering belief in the value of sports. Above all, I will remember the fatherly relationship we shared, which was built not on blood ties but on mutual respect, kindness and genuine affection.
May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, illuminate his grave and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. May Allah also grant his family, friends, colleagues and the entire sporting community the strength and patience to bear this irreparable loss.
Alhaji Bashir Ahmed Maizare may be gone, but his legacy lives on in the people he mentored, the knowledge he shared and the sporting history he helped preserve.
Ameen.
Jamilu Uba Adamu is a sports writer based in Kano.
Safiyanu Bichi
When Abia State Governor Alex Otti recently pulled off his shoe and proudly declared, “This is Aba Made,” the gesture went beyond the shoe itself. It offered a simple but powerful demonstration of what deliberate government patronage can do for local industry.
The message for Kano is equally important: where is Made-in-Kano in government procurement?
This is a question Kano can no longer afford to ignore.
For decades, Kano has been one of Nigeria’s important commercial and industrial centres. The state has a long tradition of manufacturing, textile production, leatherwork, furniture making, tailoring, metalwork, food processing and a wide range of small and medium-scale enterprises.
Yet having businesses and skilled artisans is not enough. Local industries need markets, and government procurement is one of the largest markets available in any economy.
The Kano State Government spends billions of naira annually on infrastructure, furniture, uniforms, clothing, construction materials, office equipment, vehicles, signage and other goods and services. The critical question is how much of this expenditure remains within Kano and how much leaves the state.
This is where a deliberate Kano Local Content Policy becomes necessary.
Every major state government project and Bill of Quantities (BOQ) should, where technically and economically feasible, contain a clearly defined local-content component. A target of 40 per cent Kano content could provide a practical starting point.
The idea is not to sacrifice quality or value for money. Rather, it is to ensure that qualified Kano-based businesses are given a fair opportunity to compete for government patronage.
If the government buys furniture from Kano manufacturers, contracts uniforms from local textile and garment producers, procures locally manufactured footwear and leather products, and sources other goods and services from competent businesses within the state, public expenditure can generate a multiplier effect across the local economy.
The money does not simply disappear after a government contract is executed. It circulates.
A furniture company pays its workers. Workers spend their earnings in local markets. Manufacturers purchase materials from other businesses. Transporters earn income. Artisans receive more orders. Businesses expand and potentially employ more people.
In other words, government procurement can become an instrument of economic development.
This is particularly important at a time when Kano needs to create more productive opportunities for its growing population, especially young people.
The state does not have to begin from scratch. Kano already possesses the human capital, entrepreneurial culture and business networks required to support a stronger local-content regime.
What is needed is deliberate policy, transparent implementation and consistent monitoring.
The government could begin by identifying categories of goods and services that can realistically be sourced within Kano. It could establish a database of qualified local manufacturers, contractors, artisans and suppliers, while maintaining clear standards for quality, pricing and delivery.
There should also be safeguards against turning local-content policy into another avenue for patronage. The objective should not be to favour politically connected businesses. It should be to create opportunities for genuine Kano-based enterprises that can meet established standards.
That distinction matters.
A successful local-content policy must combine local patronage with competition, quality, transparency and accountability.
The experience highlighted by Governor Otti offers Kano an opportunity for reflection. A simple act of wearing a locally made product can draw attention to an entire ecosystem of producers, workers and entrepreneurs behind that product.
Kano can create its own version of that story.
Imagine a government school furnished by Kano manufacturers, public institutions using locally produced furniture, uniforms supplied by Kano garment producers, official events showcasing locally produced textiles and leather goods, and government projects deliberately creating opportunities for competent local suppliers.
That would make “Made-in-Kano” more than a slogan.
It would make it part of government’s economic strategy.
Kano has the people. Kano has the skills. Kano has the entrepreneurs. Kano has the markets.
What is required is a deliberate decision to connect government spending with the productive capacity of the state.
Let Kano Government buy Made-in-Kano.
A 40 per cent Kano Local Content target should not be treated as another political promise. It should be the beginning of a measurable procurement policy that keeps more public money within the Kano economy, strengthens local businesses, supports jobs and helps rebuild the productive foundation of the state.
The real question is no longer whether Kano can produce.
The question is whether Kano is ready to buy what Kano produces.
Safiyanu Bichi is a member of the Kano Budget Working Group.
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