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Dr. Usman’s Book Presentation Sparks National Reflection: Who Truly Owns Nigeria—the People or the Politicians?
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Former Minister of Finance and one of Nigeria’s most respected economic minds, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, on Saturday presented his latest book *Public Policy and Agent Interest: Perspectives from the Emerging World* to the people of Kano, in a powerful homecoming ceremony hosted at Bayero University Kano (BUK).
Though the book was formally launched in Abuja months earlier, Dr. Usman chose Kano—his birthplace and the foundation of his public service journey—for its first public presentation in Northern Nigeria.
The event gathered dignitaries including Academics, traditional leaders, students, and development professionals.
“This is more than a presentation,” he said in his keynote. “It is my way of returning home—not just with memories, but with ideas that can serve our people.”
From Global Insight to Local Urgency
Dr. Usman, who began his journey in Kano’s Garangamawa quarters and rose to national prominence through key roles at the Federal Ministry of Finance and the National Planning Commission—and who is well-versed in IMF and World Bank policies through years of engagement and participation in high-level meetings—offered a brutally honest diagnosis of Nigeria’s stagnation: a failure of governance rooted in the betrayal of public trust.
He explained the concept of the principal-agent problem—where those entrusted to serve (agents) begin to serve themselves instead, leaving the true owners of the nation (the principals—the people) disillusioned and abandoned.
“This book is about the broken promise between government and citizens. What we call in Hausa, rashin rikon amana.”
Personal Reflections, National Realities
Drawing from his experience as Finance Minister, Dr. Usman recalled efforts to establish the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund—an initiative aimed at securing the country’s oil wealth for future generations—but which faced fierce opposition from those driven by short-term political calculations.
“That fight wasn’t just about economics. It was about values—about choosing between national interest and personal interest.”
This tension between policy and politics, public duty and private gain, he argued, is the central theme of the book and a major factor in Nigeria’s persistent development failures.
The Local Cost of National Failure
Dr. Usman reminded the audience that this is not an abstract theory but a lived reality—especially in places like Kano.
He highlighted the alarming number of out-of-school children, the decay of urban infrastructure, and the collapse of trust in public institutions, especially among young people.
“When our youths see a system that rewards connections over competence, they don’t just lose faith—they lose direction.”
He described this as the greatest cost of the agency problem: not just bad roads or failed schools, but a generation that begins to believe mediocrity and corruption are the norm.
A New Development Bargain: The People Must Rise
Rather than dwell on the failures, Dr. Usman emphasized solutions.
The book, co-authored with renowned contributors including Dr. Yemi Kale and Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, outlines a four-point development bargain aimed at restoring balance between the people and those in power:
1. Demand transparency – Citizens must insist on public access to data and government spending.
2. Challenge vested interests – Society must defend honest leaders and confront those who exploit the system.
3. Rebuild the social contract – Citizens must perform civic duties and demand quality services in return.
4. Engage actively – Everyone must act, speak, or at least reject injustice with their hearts.
He invoked a prophetic Hadith as a moral compass:
“If you see evil, change it with your hand. If not, speak out. If not, reject it in your heart—that is the weakest of faith.”
A Foundation for the Future
The event also marked the public announcement of the Shamsuddeen Usman Foundation, established by his children and focused on education, health, and information technology.
“We cannot just criticize the past—we must build the future. That is why this Foundation exists: to give our children the tools to lead.”
More Than a Book, a Call to Action
Dr. Usman closed by stressing that Public Policy and Agent Interest is not an academic exercise—it is a civic manual for ordinary Nigerians to understand their power, reclaim their role, and demand better governance.
“This book is for you. It is a guide to demand the accountability and dignity every Nigerian deserves. Let us work together to mend this broken promise.”
As the applause resounded through the halls of BUK, the message was unmistakable: Nigeria’s destiny will not be shaped by its agents, but by the renewed resolve of its true owners—the people.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
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