Ibrahim Hamisu

Self Help Africa (SHA), an international development organisation headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, has concluded a high-level oversight visit to Kano State, reaffirming its partnership with the state government and securing renewed commitments for sustained collaboration on key development programmes.

KANO FOCUS reports that the visit was led by the Chair of the Board of Self Help Africa, Engr. Sulaiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources, alongside the organisation’s Country Director and other senior officials.

In a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Tanko Muhammad, Self Help Africa was described as an organisation operating in 17 countries, with a mandate to promote sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives, particularly in the face of climate change.

The statement noted that the organisation focuses on addressing hunger, poverty, social inequality and environmental degradation through community-led, market-based and enterprise-driven interventions. These efforts are designed to improve access to nutritious food, clean water, decent jobs and sustainable incomes, while safeguarding natural resources.

Self Help Africa has over 25 years of experience in Nigeria, initially operating under Concern Universal and later as United Purpose. Over the years, it has implemented development programmes in agriculture and food systems, climate adaptation, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), waste management, market systems development, business support services and sustainable landscape management. Its interventions have reached nearly 4,000 communities across Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

In Kano State, the organisation is currently implementing the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Systems Strengthening (WS4H) Programme, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), as part of a broader initiative covering Nigeria and Sierra Leone. It is also executing the Youth in Work Project, funded by the World Food Programme (WFP), which focuses on livelihoods and entrepreneurship development by strengthening food systems and expanding value-chain employment opportunities for youth and women. The project targets more than 28,000 small businesses across seven local government areas of the state.

As part of the oversight mission, the Self Help Africa delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Kano State Government, where a high-level meeting was held and chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim.

The meeting was attended by commissioners from key ministries, including Water Resources; Planning and Budget; Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and Community and Rural Development. Also present were the Managing Director of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) and the Permanent Secretary, Administration and General Services, Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu Memota.

During the engagement, the delegation briefed the state government on ongoing projects and discussed opportunities to deepen collaboration to enhance service delivery, sustainability and development impact across Kano State.

In his remarks, the SSG reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting Self Help Africa’s programmes and pledged continued cooperation to ensure the successful implementation of development initiatives statewide.

The visit underscores Self Help Africa’s emphasis on accountability, strong partnerships and constructive engagement with government stakeholders in advancing inclusive and sustainable development for communities in Kano State.