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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.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.
It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.
A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.
The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.
The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.
CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.
“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.
“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”
The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.
Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.
Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.
Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.
Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.
He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.
Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.
The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.
According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.
The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.
In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.
The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.
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