Headlines
Kano Livestock Fattening Scheme: A Game-Changer for Rural Empowerment Amid Criticism
Kano Livestock Fattening Scheme: A Game-Changer for Rural Empowerment Amid Criticism
Mischievous Criticism of a Life-Saving Initiative
By Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa
The Kano State Government has countered unfounded criticisms of its livestock fattening and goat reproduction scheme, which is a key component of the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Programme (KSADP).
These attacks, aimed at undermining a life-changing initiative, have been described by the government as mischievous attempts to misinform the public and derail efforts to empower rural communities.
The criticisms particularly targeted the recent distribution of goats to female farmers, an initiative designed to support animal husbandry, improve livelihoods, and enhance food security in Kano State.
Significance of the Livestock Fattening Scheme
The KSADP program, launched in 2019, is a $95 million project funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF), and the Kano State Government.
Its overarching aim is to reduce poverty by 30% among beneficiaries and improve nutrition by boosting meat production in Kano State.
The program is built on three core components:
1. Agro-Pastoral Productivity and Production Enhancement – Aimed at increasing meat and livestock productivity.
2. Market Access and Value Addition – To improve the economic potential of agricultural products.
3. Project Coordination and Management – Ensuring seamless implementation and impact.
The Agro-Pastoral Productivity Enhancement component has been particularly impactful.
Livestock farmers participating in the scheme have seen significant improvements in meat yield, with bulls producing an additional 100kg of beef and rams contributing an additional 15kg of meat after a 120-day fattening period.
Similarly, goats under the reproduction scheme are expected to yield at least two kids within six to twelve months, ensuring long-term benefits for farmers.
Impact on Meat Production and Livelihoods
The livestock fattening initiative is a lifeline for thousands of rural families.
By increasing beef, mutton, and goat meat production, the program is addressing the twin challenges of poverty and malnutrition.
At the end of every fattening cycle, the program is expected to yield 6,000 metric tons of additional beef and mutton, significantly contributing to improved nutrition and food security in Kano State.
Sustaining the Program Under Governor Abba Yusuf
Recognizing the importance of continuity, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has prioritized the KSADP scheme as a key part of his administration’s agenda.
Building on the foundation laid by the previous administration, the Governor approved the continuation of livestock distribution, ensuring that rural communities continue to benefit from this transformative initiative.
To maintain transparency and fairness, Governor Yusuf directed that community representatives, under the Community Reorientation Committee (CRC), be actively involved in selecting beneficiaries.
This approach has not only strengthened public trust but also ensured that the program reaches those who need it most.
Recent Milestones in Livestock Distribution
Under Governor Yusuf’s leadership, the KSADP initiative has seen remarkable progress:
First Cycle (Second Phase):
Conducted in August 2023, where thousands of goats and rams were distributed to women across all 44 local government areas.
Second Cycle (First Phase):
Launched recently, distributing over 7,000 goats to more than 2,000 women.
The program has also outlined future plans for subsequent phases of the second cycle.
These include the distribution of rams to male and female youth, as well as bulls exclusively to young men for fattening purposes.
Economic and Nutritional Benefits of the Scheme
The livestock fattening program is more than just a distribution exercise—it represents a holistic approach to rural development.
By providing women and youth with livestock, the program is fostering financial independence, creating generational occupations, and addressing food insecurity.
With a significant portion of Kano’s population engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, the initiative is enhancing rural incomes and diversifying economic opportunities.
The availability of protein-rich meat, such as beef, mutton, and goat meat, is improving household nutrition, particularly in underserved communities.
Kano’s Leadership in Livestock Farming
Data from the 2024 National Agricultural Sample Census highlights Kano State’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s livestock industry.
The Northwest region contributes 33% of the country’s livestock, with Kano State alone accounting for 8%.
This includes approximately 1.458 million goats, making Kano the second-largest livestock producer in Nigeria after Bauchi State.
In addition, Kano boasts the highest number of agricultural households in the country, totaling approximately 2.369 million.
These figures underscore the state’s comparative advantage in agriculture and livestock farming, making initiatives like KSADP a natural fit for the region’s development needs.
Modernizing Agriculture Through KSADP
KSADP has introduced cutting-edge technology to transform agricultural practices in Kano.
This includes improved seeds, regenerative agriculture techniques, and extensive farmer training programs on modern agronomical systems.
The initiative is empowering farmers to increase their output while preserving the environment, positioning Kano State as a leader in sustainable agriculture.
By leveraging these advancements, Governor Yusuf’s administration is fostering a new era of productivity and innovation in Kano’s agricultural sector.
Empowering Women and Youth Through Livestock Distribution
The program’s emphasis on female farmers underscores the administration’s commitment to gender inclusivity and rural empowerment.
Women, traditionally the backbone of rural economies, are being equipped with the tools and resources to improve their livelihoods and contribute to economic growth.
The targeted involvement of youth further ensures the sustainability of the program.
By engaging the next generation in livestock farming, the initiative is creating long-term employment opportunities and addressing youth unemployment in Kano.
Strengthening Rural Communities Through Livestock Enhancement
With Kano’s rich agricultural heritage, the KSADP scheme is perfectly aligned with the state’s cultural and economic strengths.
By supporting livestock farming, the government is reviving ancestral occupations, enhancing the quality of life for rural dwellers, and reducing the urban-rural economic divide.
A Vision for a Prosperous Kano State
Governor Yusuf’s leadership is rooted in his vision to empower ordinary citizens through sustainable initiatives.
The KSADP livestock fattening scheme is a testament to this commitment, delivering tangible benefits to rural communities and strengthening Kano’s position as a leading agricultural state in Nigeria.
Sanusi Bature DawakinTofa
Is the Director General, Media and Publicity, writes from Government House, Kano
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, has commended the Federal High Court in Kano for sentencing a 20-year-old drug suspect, Muhammad Maharazu, to 15 years imprisonment.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer NDLEA Kano Strategic Command Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari on Thursday, the command said the conviction followed Maharazu’s arrest on February 14, 2026, at the notorious Filin Idi drug den in Kano.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Commander’s Special Joint Task Force in possession of various illicit substances, including Diazepam tablets. During the operation, Maharazu allegedly produced a knife in an attempt to attack officers while trying to evade arrest but was swiftly disarmed and taken into custody.
The agency said Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano, sentenced the convict to 15 years imprisonment on April 15, 2026, with no option of fine. The sentence is to take effect from the date of judgment.
Reacting to the development, the NDLEA Kano Commander, Dahiru Yahaya Lawal, described the judgment as decisive and a strong warning to drug offenders.
“This conviction sends a clear message that no amount of threats or violence will deter our officers from carrying out their mandate. Kano will not be a safe haven for drug traffickers,” he said.
The command added that the custodial sentence would serve as a deterrent to others involved in drug trafficking or those who resort to violence to resist arrest.
It also called on members of the public to continue supporting the agency’s efforts in tackling substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, emphasizing that the fight against drug-related crimes requires collective responsibility.
Headlines
Dangote, Pope Leo XIV, Trump, Xi Jinping, others named in TIME 100 most influential people for 2026
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Renowned African industrialist and philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, has been named among TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2026, reaffirming his standing as one of the most successful and iconic business leaders of his generation.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dangote joins global influential figures from multiple sectors, including political leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, revered Pope Leo XIV, current head of Catholic Church as well as business and technology leaders including Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan.
A statement sent to Kano Focus by Esan Sunday of Dangote group said the annual TIME100 list, published on Wednesday April 15, 2026, recognises global figures whose leadership, ideas, and actions are shaping the future across business, politics, culture, and society. Dangote’s inclusion places him alongside prominent international figures drawn from diverse spheres of global influence.
This marks Dangote’s second appearance on the prestigious TIME100 list, following his first recognition in 2014, when he was honoured for his exceptional impact on business and philanthropy. His return to the list more than a decade later underscores the consistency and scale of his influence on the global stage.
Dangote, who is being recognized for his African industrial drive is the only Nigerian on the list and featured in the titan and innovators category. Other prominent honorees named alongside Dangote in the titan category are Reid Wiseman, Commander of the Artemis II mission to the moon; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet and Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube.
Also featuring prominently under the titan category are Michael and Susan Dell, the high-profile American tech billionaires and philanthropists best known as the founders of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, a global non-profit that focuses on improving the lives of children living in urban poverty. Included here also is the American designer and billionaire, Ralph Lauren, best known for founding the global lifestyle empire Ralph Lauren Corporation.
Recognized in the Pioneer category are individuals with breakthroughs in Science and Social Advocacy such Kiran Musunuru and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, both of whom were cited for medical breakthroughs in genetic therapy as well as Aaron Williams, recognized for advancements in heart transplant readiness.
Influential figures recognized in global entertainment and culture include Ranbir Kapoor, prominent Indian actor; Dakota Johnson, recognized as an actress and cultural icon and Kate Hudson, included for her cultural influence.
As Founder and President of Dangote Group—Africa’s largest indigenous industrial conglomerate—Dangote has played a central role in advancing industrialisation across the continent. Under his leadership, the Group has made landmark investments spanning cement manufacturing, sugar and food processing, agriculture, infrastructure, and lately energy, significantly reducing Africa’s reliance on imports while creating millions of direct and indirect jobs.
In its citation, TIME Magazine highlighted Dangote’s vision of building African industries with local resources for global competitiveness, noting his recent investments in large‑scale energy and manufacturing infrastructure as emblematic of his long‑term commitment to Africa’s economic transformation.
Beyond business, Dangote is widely acclaimed for his philanthropic leadership through the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), one of Africa’s largest private philanthropic organisations. The Foundation supports critical initiatives across healthcare, nutrition, education, disaster relief, and economic empowerment, contributing to improved outcomes for vulnerable communities across the continent.
The 2026 TIME100 recognition further reflects a broader global acknowledgement of African leadership, innovation, and enterprise, with Dangote standing as a symbol of the continent’s growing influence in shaping global economic and development narratives.
This latest honour consolidates Aliko Dangote’s legacy as a visionary industrialist and philanthropist, whose work continues to drive sustainable development, inclusive growth, and long‑term value creation—both within Africa and beyond.
Under his leadership, Dangote Group recently launched Vision 2030, with which Dangote Industries aims to transform from a regional $30 billion conglomerate into a $100 billion global powerhouse by 2030.
This strategy focuses on industrial self-sufficiency for Africa, moving the group from “regional dominance to global relevance”.
Dangote said the roadmap to vision 2030 is divided into phases to “supercharge” the group’s expansion; with phase one spanning 2025-2028 focused on scaling existing businesses—cement, fertilizer, and energy—and optimizing assets for international competitiveness.
The Phase two running from 2028-2030 is for the deployment of new businesses and ventures into global markets to drive the final leap to the $100 billion revenue target. The Dangote Group plans to venture into steel manufacturing, power, and deep-sea ports to tackle industrial bottlenecks across Africa.
This recognition by Time Magazine underscores the growing global acknowledgment of African leadership and innovation, and highlights Aliko Dangote’s enduring influence as a visionary leader committed to sustainable development and inclusive growth.
The 2026 list underscores the expanding global visibility of African leadership and Dangote’s continued influence as a leading industrialist and philanthropist.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced the commencement of the second term holiday for the 2025/2026 academic session across all public and private primary and secondary schools in the state.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment in the Ministry, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai on Wednesday, day schools are to proceed on holiday from Friday, April 17, while boarding schools will close on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
According to the statement, the break is intended to provide students and staff with adequate time to rest and prepare for the third term.
The ministry further stated that boarding schools are expected to resume on Sunday, May 3, 2026, while day schools will reopen on Monday, May 4, 2026, when academic activities will continue.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children return promptly on the resumption dates to avoid disruption to academic progress. He also directed school administrators to strictly adhere to the approved academic calendar.
Makoda reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing a conducive learning environment and maintaining high standards in the education sector.
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