Opinion
How Ganduje hired fake NGO to rate Kano low in an attempt to cover his wasted 8 years
By Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa
Our attention has been drawn to an article entitled “Kano worst governed, least performing state in Nigeria – Report,” authored by Taofeek Lawal and featured on Tribune online on April 23, 2024.
Taofeek based his narrative on an alleged report by the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEHUR), which maliciously portrays Kano State as the most poorly governed and underperforming state in the nation since the inception of the new administration in May 2023.
Available records at both internet and CAC, confirmed that the NGO is not registered and in last few years of its illigal operation, it has engaged itself on various dubious and controvercial activities serving as a hired street dog.
Ganduje and his co-travellers who promote corruption are hiring fake NGOs who hide behind promoting good governance to share none existing reseaches in an attempt to damage the hard earned reputation of the arguably best performing governor in the 2023 new breeds of governors His Excellency Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The former Governor of Kano state who did nothing in his eight year wasted tenure between 2015 and 2023 other than promoting political violence through hiring of thugs to distroy, miame, injure or kill innocent citizens.
“No matter the cover up, Ganduje must face the consequencies of his utterances during which he governed Kano recklessly, with nepotism, corruption and impunity as guiding principles”
As it is well known, performance evaluation is done using specific parametres against indicators which the so called NGO did not anyway meet the requirememt for rating the performance of any governor against another. Thefore, we wish to dismiss in totality and declare the purported report as fake, malicious and ill intended to cover Ganduje’s failure to make Kano great.
Initially, we contemplated dismissing the report due to the questionable nature of the individuals associated with CEDEHUR.
However, upon further reflection, we opted to respond to prevent discerning Nigerians from being misled by the fabricated falsehoods propagated by dubious figures within CEDEHUR, who, in collaboration with the opposition and their backers, are engaged in a futile attempt to discredit the effective governance of His Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Undoubtedly, the report from CEDEHUR is not simply a piece of refuse; it is built upon malevolent, contrived, and unfounded information and misinformation sourced from the so-called “stakeholders” who were commissioned to distort truths and denigrate Governor Yusuf’s administration.
Despite the global recognition of the ongoing socio-economic transformation in Kano, spanning various sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and human development, it is evident that the members of CEDEHUR did not physically inspect Kano to ascertain the situation first-hand.
Instead, they chose to consort with politicians in Abuja and fabricate falsehoods for public consumption, following the exchange of monetary incentives.
I strongly urge Nigerians to disregard CEDEHUR and their web of deceit, as Governor Yusuf has achieved within a year what the previous administration and the sponsors of CEDEHUR failed to accomplish in eight years.
I challenge Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, who represented CEDEHUR at a Press Conference in Abuja aimed at tarnishing Governor Yusuf’s administration, to provide tangible evidence of any lack of transparency and accountability in the Kano state government under Governor Yusuf’s leadership.
On the contrary, Kano has maintained its reputation as one of the least corrupt states in Nigeria, with a renewed commitment to combating corruption through the revamped Kano State anti-corruption agency.
Furthermore, I challenge CEDEHUR to identify any political appointee in Governor Yusuf’s cabinet who is undeserving of their role—there is unequivocally none.
While the case of Mustapha Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, the Honourable Commissioner of Youths and Sports, may be raised, Governor Yusuf has consistently emphasized that Mustapha’s appointment was based entirely on merit: his unwavering party loyalty, youthfulness, dynamism, intelligence, and qualifications make him apt for the Ministry.
The concept of political vendetta from CEDEHR eludes me, but I am convinced that no conscientious and responsive government would permit the extensive corruption perpetrated by the previous administration to go unpunished.
We will in our endeavours to recover public assets and the billions of Naira embezzled by the prior administration.
Allow me to elucidate on some of the notable accomplishments of Governor Yusuf’s administration for archival purposes.
Infrastructure Development
Governor Yusuf, in the latter part of the previous year, inaugurated the N27 billion Interchange projects aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in the heart of Kano city.
These projects include the Tal’udu interchange, featuring a cloverleaf flyover valued at N12 billion, and the Dan Agundi interchange, comprising a flyover and underpass estimated at N15 billion.
During the foundation stone laying ceremony, Governor Yusuf underscored the significance of these pivotal initiatives in addressing traffic congestion, enhancing transportation efficiency, beautifying the cityscape, reducing pollution, and fortifying the city’s infrastructure.
Governor Yusuf reiterated his administration’s dedication to advancing state infrastructure and expressed a firm resolve to deliver more equitable dividends, particularly to the marginalized segments of society.
He emphasized that Kano, as a burgeoning metropolis, necessitates substantial infrastructural enhancements to cater to its over 10 million urban denizens and uplift the socio-economic well-being of its inhabitants.
Governor Yusuf underscored that the 2024 budget, which he ratified, prioritizes capital projects, allocating a substantial 60% share to this crucial sector.
The impact of the flyover construction in mitigating traffic congestion has been evaluated in terms of traffic decongestion, time savings, fuel efficiency, and emission reduction.
Studies have confirmed that utilizing the flyover results in a notable 60 to 70 percent reduction in travel time compared to using the main road, particularly when traffic signals are predominantly red.
The savings in fuel consumption and associated costs accrued from waiting for signal changes are also significant.
The approval by the Kano State government for the construction of two new underpasses and flyovers has been welcomed by the city’s residents, where chronic traffic congestion has posed a social and environmental challenge.
Kano, being the most populous state in the country with approximately 100,000 registered commercial tricycles plying the roads daily, faces a congestion crisis exacerbated by the presence of cars, commercial tricycles, and motorcycles notorious for their impatience.
The primary objective behind the construction of these two Interchanges is to alleviate congestion at the bustling junctions, facilitate smoother traffic flow, stimulate commercial activities, and bolster the overall economic growth of the state.
The government has taken note of the public’s enthusiastic reception towards the planned construction of these two interchanges.
While a few individuals may lack comprehensive information regarding the rationale behind the government’s pursuit of these vital projects, the administration under Governor Yusuf’s leadership has demonstrated a paradigm shift in its approach to project execution, emphasizing probity, accountability, and transparency.
Governor Yusuf’s administration assures the public and the citizens of Kano State of the timely completion of these two projects and the initiation of additional public-centric and developmental projects in both rural and urban areas to enhance the general welfare of the populace and foster comprehensive development across all sectors, in fulfilment of its electoral pledges.
Agricultural Transformation
Undoubtedly, agriculture stands as the cornerstone of the economies of most nations across Sub-Saharan Africa, significantly contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and serving as the primary employer for over two-thirds of the population on the continent.
The economic, environmental, and social prosperity of a country is intricately linked to the vitality of its agricultural sector.
Augmented agricultural investments can yield substantial developmental benefits, including bolstering rural incomes, enhancing food security, providing affordable and nutritious sustenance to Africa’s burgeoning populace, and promoting environmental sustainability through innovations like climate-smart agriculture.
On October 10, 2023, at the Coronation Hall in Kano, the Kano state government, in partnership with the African Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), extended opportunities to women in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and women cooperatives in Kano to engage in agriculture and earn a livelihood.
The program provided financial support to businesses in the form of performance-based grants, with a particular focus on empowering vulnerable groups such as youth, women, and those residing in fragile contexts.
The initiative also underscored the imperative of augmenting women’s participation across various agricultural value chains. Governor Yusuf’s administration remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering women in agriculture, recognizing the pivotal role they play in enhancing the state’s economic landscape, given Kano’s status as a prominent commercial hub.
Governor Yusuf has consistently affirmed that the state will collaborate closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that farmers in rural areas, especially women and youth, receive adequate support.
These ongoing projects exemplify how Governor Yusuf’s administration is leveraging agriculture to empower rural dwellers, particularly women and youth.
Grazing reserve development
The grazing reserve at Donsoshiya, Kiru Local Government is presently undergoing development, intending to plant 3000 hectares of grass.
Currently, about 324.3 hectares of grass have been sown. Contractors have been mobilized to construct schools, veterinary clinics, markets, hospitals, livestock loading ramps, dams, and other essential socio-infrastructural facilities to facilitate pastoralists in their day-to-day activities.
The primary objective of this initiative is to settle pastoralists at the reserve, thereby curbing uncontrolled movement, which has historically led to conflicts between farmers and herders.
Large scale (Commercial) fodder herders
The large-scale (commercial) fodder production project aims to graze approximately 1000 hectares. The process of selecting participants/beneficiaries is ongoing.
The project intends to promote commercial fodder production, enabling increased access to feed for livestock.
Commercial fodder farmers will invest in fodder production as entrepreneurs, and they will receive support in the form of baling equipment and capacity building.
Improving animal health care
In the realm of animal health services, around 220 unemployed youths with relevant qualifications in animal health have been engaged. These individuals have been trained and empowered to provide private para-veterinary services in the 44 Local Government Areas of the state, serving as Community Animal Health Workers.
They also aid in the conduct of animal livestock vaccination exercises.
Veterinary reference laboratory
The Governor Yusuf administration has established a Veterinary Clinic in Gwale Local Government Area, known as the Gwale Veterinary Clinic. This facility provides referral services, drugs, vaccines, test services, and research into livestock diseases.
It operates in close partnership with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
Breed improvement
The state government has upgraded the Kadawa Artificial Insemination Centre, renovating the facility and providing state-of-the-art equipment.
Additionally, five purebred bulls were procured for semen collection, and the staff of the Centre were trained.
The Centre is expected to provide comprehensive services to 25,000 cows annually.
Demarcation of livestock routes
To address conflicts between farmers and herders, the state government has embarked on the demarcation of approximately 1,950km of livestock routes.
Survey, demarcation, and monumentation of these routes have commenced, with contractors already on site handling the development.
The initiative aims to reduce conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, with 30% progress reported thus far.
Furthermore, plans are underway to increase access for over 2000 farmers to engage in large-scale cultivation of crops three times a year, along with the creation of additional downstream jobs for youths and women in rural communities.
This project targets the development and irrigation of about 1000 hectares of land through the Watari dam irrigation expansion scheme.
Sasakawa cereal crops vale chain intervention
The Sasakawa Cereal Crops Value Chain Intervention aims to teach farmers how to utilize technology to expand cultivation and production of crops.
The project targets the empowerment of 450,000 farmers, with approximately 366,000 farmers already selected to benefit from the initiative.
It focuses on training farmers in modern technologies for rice, maize, millet, sorghum, tomatoes, onions, and cabbage crops production, and supports youths and women in establishing and improving agro-processing centres.
Similarly, the KNARDA legumes crops value chain project aims to empower about 100,000 farmers, with 55,000 already enrolled.
This technology-based project focuses on training farmers in new technologies for the massive production of groundnut, cowpea, and soybean crops.
Governor Yusuf’s administration has prioritized youth empowerment and skills development by reviving 26 Skill Acquisition Training Institutes across the state.
Plans are in place for training and admission into these Institutes, with graduates empowered with capital to start their own businesses.
Moreover, the administration has launched an empowerment programme targeting over 4,840 youths, women, and persons living with disabilities across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.
This programme is designed to train beneficiaries in various skills and provide them with capital to start their own businesses. Additionally, plans are underway to introduce the Amana taxis and buses scheme to engage youths and upgrade the status of tricycle riders.
Furthermore, over 650 repentant influential youths (Yan Daba’s) have been offered amnesty and engaged in various empowerment and skills initiatives, fostering economic independence and contributing positively to the state and the country at large.
Education
In the realm of education, Governor Yusuf’s administration has achieved remarkable success, particularly in ensuring access to high-quality education for those residing in rural areas.
In addition to providing free and high-quality education for our primary and secondary school children, the administration has distributed complimentary exercise books, school uniforms, and other educational materials worth millions of Naira, with the greatest beneficiaries being children in rural areas.
Furthermore, the state government has covered the tuition, feeding, and accommodation expenses of 1001 postgraduate students studying in India, with a significant number of these beneficiaries hailing from rural regions.
The administration has also undertaken the payment of examination fees for 57,000 students sitting for WAEC and NECO, as well as settling tuition fees for 7000 students at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
Kano indigenes now receive a 50% discount on their fees, and the state has established 26 skill acquisition institutes to train and empower youths across all 44 Local Government Areas.
Moreover, the Governor’s administration has procured and distributed educational support materials to over 9000 schools, benefiting more than three million pupils, with a substantial proportion of recipients coming from rural communities.
Governor Yusuf’s administration swiftly took action to reopen Islamic Studies Schools, Technical Colleges, Skills Acquisition Centres, and Boarding Schools located in rural areas that were previously closed down by the previous administration, all within a span of less than seven months.
Healthcare facilities
In the healthcare sector, the Kano state government, under Governor Yusuf’s leadership, is revitalizing the health system, aligning with his campaign promises to enhance healthcare services, especially for rural residents.
Inheriting a deficient healthcare system, Governor Yusuf wasted no time in restoring hope for the populace regarding adequate healthcare delivery, particularly for children, nursing mothers, and others across the state.
Notably, the Governor has instituted free maternity services for women in the state and distributed medical supplies worth over N53 million to various health facilities, benefiting pregnant women and those requiring assisted delivery.
The state government pledges to continue providing free health commodities throughout Governor Yusuf’s tenure.
Governor Yusuf fulfilled his promise to restore the Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital, the only pediatric facility in the state with an 86-bed capacity, catering to thousands of patients daily.
Through medical outreach programs, the Ministry of Health has been directed to reach underserved rural areas where healthcare services are lacking, providing free consultations for minor ailments and referring patients to specialized hospitals for more severe conditions.
Recognizing the healthcare personnel, Governor Yusuf initiated the recruitment of additional doctors and nurses in rural communities to enhance healthcare provision.
The state government is constructing one primary health centre in each political ward across the 44 Local Government Areas and has established a committee to assess the immediate needs of health facilities for rehabilitation.
Efforts are also underway to identify areas requiring primary healthcare centres urgent attention.
In conclusion, I wish to inform the esteemed citizens of Kano State about the ongoing dialogues with both local and foreign investors aimed at bolstering the state’s economy by harnessing its natural resources and economic potentials.
The state government has finalized plans to fortify the Kano Hydro Electricity Company to boost revenue generation. Governor Yusuf has conducted a comprehensive review of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue management, leading to the establishment of the IGR Standing Committee to ensure robust revenue generation.
Furthermore, Governor Yusuf has instituted the State Gross Domestic Product (GDP) under the auspices of the Kano State Bureau of Statistics.
The Bureau of Statistics has been reinforced to provide monthly reports on inflation rates and the consumer price index, fostering accelerated economic progress.
Governor Yusuf has instructed the Kano State Bureau of Statistics to update the Social Register to facilitate comprehensive data collection of residents and citizens, enabling the equitable distribution of democratic dividends among the burgeoning population of Kano State.
In his commitment to the advancement of Kano State and its populace, Governor Yusuf has expedited the enactment of “The Restoration and Transformation Budget,” ensured timely disbursement of civil servants’ salaries and pensions, expedited file processing, adopted a zero-tolerance stance towards corruption, disbursed retirement benefits, reinstated REMASAB, revamped the Civil Service system, and plugged revenue leakages.
These measures were implemented to uphold fiscal governance, quality governance, and institutional efficacy within the Civil Service system. Additionally, the Governor’s administration has reopened the Kiru Reformatory Institute, recruited over 2,600 security personnel, provided support and logistics to the police and other security agencies to bolster security of lives and property state-wide.
The government has introduced the E-Governance system, endorsed open government policies, supported the planting of millions of trees, and inaugurated sanitation projects to ensure a clean and healthy environment throughout the state. Kano is progressing.
Let us unite in solidarity to construct a better Kano!
Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa is the spokesperson to Kano state governor Abba Kabir Yusuf writes from Kano
Hashim Yusuf Hassan
It is strange how the world keeps turning. The sun still rises, the seasons still change, and people continue to go about their daily lives. But there is now a quiet space in my world, a silence where your voice used to be. It is a silence that has taught me more about love and loss than words could ever express.
I still find myself reaching for my phone to tell you something, seek your advice or simply hear you say, “Don’t worry, it’ll be alright.” I still see you in the most unexpected places—in a particular shade of blue in the sky or in the way someone leans back in their chair. For a fleeting moment, it feels as though you are still here. Then the moment passes, and the ache reminds me that you are no longer with us.
But here is the truth I am learning to live with: you are not truly gone. You are woven into the very fabric of who I am. I am the person I am today because of the lessons you taught me, not just through your words but also through the way you lived. You taught me what quiet strength looks like. You taught me that integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. You taught me how to be strong, but, more importantly, you taught me how to be kind.
When I look in the mirror, I see your eyes. When I hear my own laughter, I sometimes hear yours. When I stand up for something I believe in, I feel your hand on my shoulder. You remain the compass that guides me and the voice in my head that says, “You can do this.” You are the reason I know what it feels like to be truly and unconditionally loved.
I will not pretend that I have no regrets. I wish I had called you more often. I wish I had listened more. I wish I had told you “I love you” one more time, or a thousand more times. I wish you could see all that I have accomplished and the person I have become. But I choose to believe that, somehow, you know. I choose to believe that you are proud of me.
Grief, I have learned, is simply love with nowhere to go. And my love for you is an ocean. Now that you are gone, it has nowhere to land, so it washes over me, sometimes in gentle waves and sometimes in a tide that threatens to pull me under. It is the price of having loved you so deeply, and it is a price I would gladly pay a million times over.
Thank you, Baba, for everything, for the laughter, the lessons, the protection and the love. You were my first hero, my protector and my safe place. Even now, you remain my anchor.
I miss you more than words can ever express. I will carry you with me in every step I take, in every choice I make, and in every moment of joy and sorrow. I will strive to live a life that would make you proud. I promise.
Allah Ubangiji Ya yi maka rahama.
Your son, forever and always.
Hashim Yusuf Hassan.
By Dr Dahir M. Hashim
Outgoing Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change and Commissioner for Water Resources, Kano State.
Looking back on my time at the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, one of the achievements I value most is the growing recognition of environmental protection as a shared responsibility and a critical component of public health, community wellbeing, livelihoods and the future of our state.
Over time, environmental issues became more prominent in public discourse, with more residents participating in government programmes, supporting interventions and demanding accountability. This growing public engagement remains one of the most rewarding aspects of our work.
For this, I am deeply grateful to the people of Kano State.
My journey at the ministry began on January 6, 2025, when His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, entrusted me with the responsibility of leading the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
I assumed office at a time when the sector faced significant challenges. Public facilities had deteriorated, existing policies required updating, enforcement mechanisms were weak, and frontline workers were owed outstanding payments. However, the governor recognised the enormous potential of the ministry and provided the political backing and institutional support needed to begin the process of rebuilding it.
Rebuilding environmental infrastructure
One of the areas where we recorded significant progress was the restoration of government-owned tree nurseries. Eight previously non-functional facilities were fully rehabilitated, restoring the state’s capacity to produce seedlings locally and sustainably.
Building on the administration’s three-million-tree planting programme in 2024, the initiative expanded to five million seedlings in 2025 and ten million in 2026. Significantly, all the seedlings were raised in government-owned nurseries.
Beyond the impressive numbers, the achievement represented the revival of public infrastructure and the restoration of the state’s capacity to sustain its environmental programmes without depending entirely on external sources of seedlings.
We also prioritised the restoration of the Kano State Pollution Control Laboratory. The facility was renovated, equipped and recommissioned, providing the state with renewed scientific capacity to test and monitor pollution, generate environmental data and strengthen regulatory enforcement.
To consolidate these efforts, we operationalised the Environmental Pollution Control Law and developed the Environmental Pollution and Waste Control Regulations, providing a stronger legal and institutional framework for environmental protection.
Improving waste management and flood control
At the Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB), we introduced reforms aimed at improving the coordination of waste collection, evacuation and disposal. These interventions made waste management operations more organised and responsive, supporting the evacuation of approximately one million metric tonnes of waste.
We also restored the Dorayi Compost Plant to operation, reviving its capacity to convert organic waste into useful compost. Beyond addressing waste disposal challenges, the facility offers opportunities for investment, employment and the development of a circular economy.
Recognising the recurring threat of flooding in several communities, we undertook drainage construction, clearance and erosion-control interventions across flood-prone areas.
The stormwater harvesting intervention in Toranke and the development of the Kano State Drainage Master Plan were particularly important components of our broader strategy to strengthen flood management and move towards more sustainable urban drainage planning.
Our approach was not limited to responding to immediate environmental challenges. We also sought to establish a framework for long-term resilience and better management of the state’s environmental resources.
Restoring public parks and recreational spaces
Another area of progress was the rehabilitation of public parks and recreational facilities.
We restored four public parks, with additional facilities undergoing similar interventions. Parks that had suffered years of neglect were given new management arrangements and clearer maintenance responsibilities.
These interventions were designed to restore public spaces where families could relax, children could play and residents could enjoy a healthier urban environment.
The reforms also produced encouraging financial results, with the combined annual revenue generated by the parks increasing from approximately ₦5 million to ₦90 million.
This demonstrated that properly managed public recreational facilities can serve both social and economic purposes while contributing to the state’s revenue base.
Building a stronger policy and climate governance framework
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of our work was the effort to strengthen the policy and legislative foundations of environmental governance in Kano State.
During my tenure, we developed the Kano State Climate Change Policy, alongside its implementation plan and results framework. We also advanced the Climate Change Bill and undertook a review of the state’s Forestry Law, which had remained largely unchanged for more than five decades.
In addition, we developed the Climate Finance Reform Action and Implementation Plan and the Green Bond Framework to position Kano State to attract investment for environmental protection, climate adaptation and sustainable development.
These initiatives were intended to ensure that environmental governance would not depend solely on individual administrations or isolated interventions but would be supported by policies, laws and institutions capable of sustaining progress over time.
Kano State’s third-place finish in the 2026 Climate Governance Performance Ranking and the opportunity to present our work at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, were encouraging milestones.
They demonstrated the potential of consistent institutional support, strategic planning and collective action to improve the state’s standing in environmental and climate governance.
However, such recognition should not be viewed merely as an award or international exposure. It should serve as a reminder of the responsibility to sustain the reforms and deliver tangible benefits to the people.
Putting environmental workers at the centre of reforms
I have always believed that environmental reforms cannot succeed without the commitment and welfare of the people who implement them.
Street sweepers, sanitation workers, environmental inspectors and forest guards constitute the backbone of environmental management. Unfortunately, many of these frontline workers had experienced difficult working conditions and outstanding payment challenges.
With the support of Governor Yusuf, we cleared nine months of salary arrears owed to 2,369 verified street sweepers and doubled their stipends.
We also re-engaged environmental inspectors and forest guards while doubling the stipends of 875 sanitation vanguards.
These interventions were not merely administrative decisions. They were an acknowledgement of the dignity of labour and the indispensable contribution of frontline workers to maintaining a clean, safe and healthy environment.
I remain grateful to these men and women whose daily sacrifices often go unnoticed but whose contributions are essential to the wellbeing of our communities.
A legacy of collective responsibility
As Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf restructures the ministries and appoints a new Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, my overriding feeling is one of gratitude.
I am particularly grateful to His Excellency for the confidence he reposed in me, the opportunity to serve and the support he provided throughout my tenure. His willingness to listen to proposals and support difficult but necessary decisions made it possible for us to undertake many of the reforms highlighted in this account.
I also appreciate the staff of the ministry and its agencies, community leaders, development partners, civil society organisations, young volunteers, private-sector operators and residents who contributed to our work.
Their participation, constructive criticism, patience and cooperation helped shape our interventions and improve their implementation.
I must emphasise that these achievements are not the accomplishment of one individual. They are the product of collective effort, institutional commitment and the contributions of many people who believed that Kano deserved a cleaner, greener and more environmentally sustainable future.
To the incoming Honourable Commissioner, I extend my congratulations and wish you success in this important responsibility. I also assure you of my willingness to offer any necessary support to sustain the progress already made and advance the environmental agenda of our dear state.
Public service is ultimately about the people and the institutions we build to serve them. Positions may change, and responsibilities may be transferred, but the obligation to contribute to society remains.
Serving Kano State as Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change has been a profound privilege. I leave with gratitude for the opportunity, satisfaction in the progress recorded and the hope that the foundations we have laid will continue to support a cleaner, greener and more resilient Kano.
Thank you, Kano State, for the trust and support.
Dr Dahir M. Hashim is the Commissioner for Water Resources and outgoing Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Kano State.
Dr Saleh Adamu Kwaru
Adding a staggering $20.52 billion and €1.05 billion to Nigeria’s debt burden is more than an economic miscalculation; it is a source of heartbreak for a nation already brought to its knees. At a time when millions of citizens are struggling to afford a single meal, grappling with historic inflation and watching their futures slip away, the government’s response appears to be to pile yet another mountain of debt on the country. This raises a painful question for every suffering Nigerian: When will our leaders finally acknowledge the pain their decisions inflict, and when will the bleeding stop?
The timing of this massive loan request is particularly troubling. Seeking to secure huge foreign loans on the eve of intense political activity and election seasons, when public anxiety is high and attention is divided, risks depriving citizens of the robust accountability the country deserves. Rather than looking inward, exercising fiscal discipline and improving public revenue management, the government appears to be rushing to mortgage the nation’s collective future. It feels less like responsible governance and more like a desperate attempt to lock in liabilities before the public can challenge them.
Nigeria’s national debt profile is already a ticking time bomb, placing enormous pressure on every sector of society. Every additional dollar borrowed increases the country’s financial obligations and diverts revenue that could otherwise support schools, equip hospitals and protect vulnerable citizens. Adding more than $20 billion to this burden risks pushing the country closer to the brink of a debt crisis, threatening to leave future generations trapped in a cycle of economic dependence. How much more hardship can ordinary Nigerians endure before the consequences of unsustainable borrowing become overwhelming?
We are repeatedly offered the same promises that these loans will transform electricity, roads, healthcare and education. But good intentions without transparency and accountability are not enough. Where is the visible evidence that previous loans have translated into better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians? Instead of seeing the promised improvements, many citizens continue to grapple with rising poverty while the country’s debt burden grows. When projects fail to generate sufficient economic returns to justify their costs, the burden ultimately falls on ordinary citizens through higher taxes, deteriorating public services and deeper economic hardship.
Before anyone commits future generations to repaying billions of dollars in new loans, the government must look Nigerians in the eye and explain how existing public resources are being managed. Why does borrowing appear to be the easiest option while systemic corruption and inefficiencies in public spending remain major concerns? Nigerians are exhausted by a system that leaves them bearing the consequences of decisions over which they have little control.
The country does not need another mountain of debt built on promises alone. It needs leaders committed to transparency, fiscal discipline, prudent resource management and the welfare of the people they have sworn to serve. Any new borrowing must be justified by clear development objectives, independently verifiable benefits and a credible repayment plan.
Nigeria cannot borrow its way out of every economic challenge. The government must demonstrate that it has exhausted reasonable alternatives, established safeguards against waste and corruption, and put the public interest above political convenience. Without these assurances, further borrowing risks deepening the hardship Nigerians already face and transferring an even heavier burden to generations yet unborn.
Dr Saleh Adamu Kwaru, is former staff of Central Bank of Nigeria.
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