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From Roads to Classrooms: How Governor Yusuf is Shaping Kano’s Future
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano State is witnessing a new wave of reforms, projects, and interventions under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as his administration pushes forward with ambitious programmes touching nearly every sector of life in the state.
From infrastructure and education to housing policy, emergency relief, and traditional governance, recent months have shown the governor’s determination to deliver on his promises.
Roads and Infrastructure at the Forefront
The administration has invested heavily in roads and urban renewal. In May 2025, over ₦20.3 billion was approved for dualization projects in Bebeji, Tudun Wada, Garun Mallam, Madobi, and Tsanyawa, alongside repairs of storm-damaged public facilities and the construction of a commemorative auditorium.
Shortly after, the governor personally flagged off reconstruction of the 3.6-kilometre Zungeru Road and the Gayawa–Bulbulawa road in Nassarawa Local Government, stressing that the projects were crucial to easing congestion and stimulating economic activity.
Governor Yusuf’s commitment to physical development was recognized at the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) 2025, where he received the Infrastructure Governor of the Year Award.
Eucation Emergency Yields Results
Education remains at the heart of the Yusuf administration. In May, the governor announced sweeping reforms that included the permanent recruitment of 4,000 BESDA workers, distribution of ₦2.8 billion worth of instructional materials, solarization of 200 schools with 250 computers each, and the hiring of 17,600 security guards for public schools.
These initiatives followed a policy of dedicating 31 percent of the state’s budget to education, earning the governor the Leadership Governor of the Year 2024 Award for Education.
Compassion in Times of Crisis
The Yusuf administration has also shown a compassionate face in moments of tragedy.
After the June 2025 road crash that claimed the lives of 22 Kano athletes returning from a national sports festival, the governor declared a day of mourning and directed that each bereaved family receive ₦1 million and food support.
The gesture drew praise across the state as a humane response to an incident that shocked the nation.
Housing: “Use It or Lose It”
Housing has also come under focus. In March, the governor issued a strong warning to allottees of properties in Kwankwasiyya, Amana, and Bandirawo estates to either occupy their units or face revocation.
He also ordered the restoration of basic amenities in the estates and began discussions with the Federal Mortgage Bank to provide civil servants with easier access to home ownership.
Tradition and Governance
Governor Yusuf’s decision last year to abolish the Bichi and Rano emirates and restore a unified Kano Emirate under Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II continues to shape governance in the state in 2025, with implications for both traditional authority and modern administration.
A Governor Under Spotlight
As 2025 progresses, the strands of Governor Yusuf’s policies are becoming clear: heavy spending on roads, a declared emergency in education, a firm hand in housing, quick relief in crises, and decisive reforms in the traditional institution.
Observers say these efforts reflect both the urgency of the challenges confronting Kano and the governor’s bid to leave a lasting legacy in Nigeria’s most populous state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hussaini Yusuf Datti, has won the Dawakin Kudu State Constituency by-election in Kano State with 23,890 votes.
KANO FOCUS reports that Datti was declared the winner by the Returning Officer, Prof. Ibrahim Tajo Sani, after polling was conducted across the constituency on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
According to the official result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Datti defeated five other candidates who contested the election.
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) candidate, Habibu Hamisu, came second with 270 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Abdullahi Adamu, secured 108 votes.
The candidate of the All Democratic Party (ADP), Bala Muhammad Sani, polled 89 votes, while Aliyu Abdullahi of the All Progressive Party (APP) received 53 votes.
The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Abubakar Yahaya Muhammad, secured 39 votes.
The results recorded a total of 24,449 votes across the six political parties listed on the declaration sheet.
After announcing the results, the Returning Officer declared Hussaini Yusuf Datti of the APC the winner and returned him elected, stating that he had satisfied the requirements of the law.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has commenced a two-day training for 500 teachers on the use of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP).
KANO FOCUS reports that the training, which began on Saturday, is being conducted across 20 centres in the Kano metropolis as part of efforts to strengthen teachers’ capacity to use the digital learning platform.
Some participants at the training
The training centres include GGSS Gidan Makama, GGSS Dorayi Karama, GSS Gwamamaja II, GSS Babbangiji, Day Science and GGSS Dangana.
Other centres are GGSS Maryam Aloma, GGAC Goron Dutse, GGASS Gwammaja, Prof Hafsat, Mairo Tijjani and GGSS Maryam Abacha.
Some participants at the training
The remaining centres are GGSS Maryam Shekarau, GGC Kano, GGSS Masallaci Fagge, GGSS Chiranchi, First Ladies and GGSS Sabuwar Kofa.
Addressing the participants, the Deputy Director, Education Management Information System (EMIS) and Statistics and lead component for Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano, Malam Naziru Surajo, said the Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide learners and teachers with access to curriculum-aligned educational content and support learning continuity.
Some participants at the training
He said the two-day training is expected to equip participating teachers with practical skills to access and use the platform, including navigating learning content and other available resources.
Group picture at GGSS Chiranchi Centre
According to him the exercise is being implemented by the Kano State Ministry of Education with support from UNICEF as part of efforts to strengthen the use of digital tools in teaching and learning across the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
KANO FOCUS reports that the Kano State Police Command, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) have monitored the ongoing Dawakin Kudu State Constituency by-election, commending voters for maintaining peaceful conduct.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, on Saturday said the monitoring exercise was conducted by the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, alongside the Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC Kano State, Amb. Zango Abdu, and other members of ICCES.
The delegation visited various polling units across Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area to assess the deployment of security personnel, the conduct of INEC officials and voters’ compliance with electoral guidelines.
According to the police, the electoral process was proceeding smoothly as of the time of the report, with voters turning out in an orderly manner and security personnel maintaining neutrality and professionalism at polling locations.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner commended the security agencies, particularly the Kano State Police Command and other ICCES members, for what he described as effective coordination, professionalism and proactive measures that helped maintain a peaceful atmosphere for the election.
The Commissioner of Police, Bakori, reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order throughout the electoral process.
He assured residents that security personnel would remain deployed until the collation and announcement of the election results were concluded.
The Kano State Police Command also commended residents of Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area for their peaceful conduct and cooperation with security agencies during the exercise.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, on September 19, 2026.
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