By Tijjani Sarki

Urbanization in the 21st century presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. As cities rapidly expand, developing nations like Nigeria face the difficult task of addressing overcrowded metropolises, strained infrastructure, and the need for sustainable urban development. In this context, Kano, an economic and cultural powerhouse in northern Nigeria, faces an urgent need for modern infrastructure and housing solutions to accommodate its growing population.

Recognizing this need, the government of Kano State, under the visionary leadership of Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf has taken bold steps to revitalize the city and tackle these challenges head-on. Following in the footsteps of Engr. Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, who championed the Kwankwasiyya and Amana Cities project between 2012 and 2015. Governor Yusuf has prioritized urban renewal and infrastructure development as key components of his administration’s agenda.

His commitment to revitalizing the cities, addressing the backlog of pension fund liabilities, and ensuring the proper allocation of resources will not only bolster economic growth but also improve the quality of life for the residents.

A cornerstone of this visionary approach, is the ongoing effort to clear the N4.3 billion pension fund liabilities invested in the expansion of Kwankwasiyya and Amana Cities projects.

This ambitious urban development initiative is a testament to the potential of forward-thinking governance, aligning urbanization with long-term sustainability.

Kwankwasiyya and Amana Cities: A Blueprint for Urban Development

The Kwankwasiyya and Amana Cities project, initially launched during the Kwankwaso administration, aimed to alleviate overcrowding, enhance the quality of life, and stimulate economic growth by creating a modern, well-planned urban center. With an investment of nearly N30 billion, Kwankwasiyya was envisioned as a model of urban development in Nigeria, featuring affordable housing, green spaces, efficient energy systems, and advanced water management strategies.

This urban hub, built with the goal of setting a new standard for sustainable development, was inaugurated on January 28, 2015, in a ceremony led by former Defence Minister TY Danjuma.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has commended the Kwankwasiyya and Amana Cities initiative for its forward-thinking design, and his administration has taken proactive measures to continue its development. Governor Yusuf’s leadership will ensure that the cities infrastructure is not only maintained but also further developed. The funding generated from this commitment will help complete the envisioned urban transformation and ensure that the project’s full potential is realized, offering an integrated solution to housing, economic activity, and sustainable development

Addressing Nigeria’s Housing Crisis
Kwankwasiyya and Amana Cities are more than just a housing project,it’s a paradigm shift in how urban spaces can be designed to support sustainable growth. As one of the most significant urban projects in northern Nigeria, Kwankwasiyya and Amana cities offer a clear solution to the escalating housing crisis in Kano. The city’s first phase spanned 205 hectares and included 698 housing units, designed with affordability and modernity in mind. This strategic development addresses not only the housing shortage but also the issues of overcrowding, slum development, and poor infrastructure that have long plagued Kano and many other Nigerian cities.

If this model of urban planning is replicated throughout Kano State, the results could be transformative. Governor Yusuf’s continued commitment to developing projects like Kwankwasiyya and Amana Cities City would go a long way in alleviating the strain on existing infrastructure, combating urban sprawl, and creating sustainable living spaces The investment in such projects will also bring lasting economic benefits, creating jobs, and attracting both local and international investment in the state.

Furthermore, the emphasis on energy-efficient buildings, advanced infrastructure, and green spaces aligns with broader environmental goals, positioning Kwankwasiyya and Amana cities as beacon of sustainable urban development. By combining economic growth with environmental preservation, the project exemplifies how urbanization can be harnessed to create resilient, livable cities.
Avision for the Future of Kano and Nigeria
As the population of Kano continues to grow, the need for innovative, sustainable urban solutions becomes increasingly urgent.

Projects like Kwankwasiyya and Amana Cities offer a comprehensive model for addressing these challenges. However, this is just the beginning. With the dedicated leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and a continued focus on infrastructure, sustainable housing, and economic revitalization, Kano has the potential to become a global example of how cities can be reimagined for the future.

By investing in urban renewal, offsetting the pension fund arrears, and completing major infrastructure projects like Kwankwasiyya and Amana Cities, the government of Kano State is not only improving the lives of its current residents but also laying the groundwork for a prosperous, sustainable future. As more cities in Nigeria and across Africa look for ways to cope with the pressures of urbanization, Kwankwasiyya and Amana cities stand as a model of how visionary leadership and strategic urban planning can reshape the urban landscape for generations to come.

Tijjani Sarki
A public policy advocate and analyst
Wrote in from Zawaciki
For Eye on Kano initiative

By Muhammadu Dan Sa’idu

There is no gain saying the fact that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state is leaving no one in doubt as to his good intentions of bringing about the desired and necessary development to Kano state in every facets of life with a view to making the state to compete favourably with its peers. This can be attested to by the fact that Kano has become a construction site of sort, with many ongoing projects spread across the state such as roads construction and rehabilitation, schools and hospitals rehabilitation and construction, water resources and environment, human capital development among many others.

In line with his continuous strive for rapid and contemporary development of the state, governor Yusuf has not only initiated new projects but equally look in the direction of abandoned and uncompleted prjocets. One of such remarkable efforts at ensuring even development by the governor is the recent initiative to revive the Kwankwasiyya city housing estate situated along Zaria road in the ancient city which was reduced to a near ghost city since it was launched over ten (10) years ago.

The Kwankwasiyya city housing project along with Amana and Bandirawo Cities which were initiated by the Enginieer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso administration was conceived as part of the State development plan strategies.

Understandably , the idea was meant to promote economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability, towards addressing issues like urban sprawl, congestion, and lack of affordable housing.

However, no sooner than the city was launched challenges creep in, and tied down the city from realising the very objectives for which it was set out to achieve. Challenges like the investment of pensioners funds into the project generated controversy, and which was highly politicised, became a major challenge. Other challenges include the failure of some allottees to complete their payments, transfer of ownership, failure to complete some of the houses and most disheartening and disappointing the refusal of many of the owners to put the houses to proper use thereby leaving them unattended to, unoccupied and uncompleted hence the houses became a major criminal hideouts and harbour all manner of chracters thereby becoming a security threat to residents and neighbouring communities.
Another challenge worth noting is the illegal bastardization of the original master plan of the city by some unpatriotic and unscrupulous elements who diverted and allocated plots originally meant for public use such as market, hospitals, graveyard etc to some individuals for private use. This criminal act of bastardization of the city’s master plan has deprived residents of basic public amenities like market and others thereby making the estate a hell for them and scare others from moving in, this singular act make the city non-functional and retarded it’s growth.

Worthy of note is the fact that similar housing projects that were initiated alongside the Kwankwasiyya city in other states like Gombe and Yobe have since become fully functional and habitable while the Kwankwasiyya city remains desolate, abandoned and constitute a major existential threat to the few residents of the city and by extension to the state as a whole.

Therefore, concerned by the sorry state of the Kwankwasiyya city and the need to realise the objective for which the project was initiated, Governor Abba Kabir formed a high-powered committee under the able leadership of his workaholic and creative Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya

with a mandate to provide comprehensive action plan on the revival of the Kwankwasiyya city including public sensitisation, ascertaining the actual ownership, completion, occupancy of the houses among others.

As a prelude to the formation of the committee and in order to demonstrate his resolve to make the Kwankwasiyya city habitable, Governor Yusuf reclaimed the Governor’s Lodge situated in the city which was hitherto diverted and allocated to the federal government agency by the previous administration against the original master plan. However, upon retrival by the governor, the facility has now been renovated and returned to its original state as a Governor’s Lodge. In the same vein, the governor in his desire to return the city to its original master plan, wasted no time in pulling down and demolishing illegal structures in the city.

It is clear that Governor Yusuf has set the tune for reviving the Kwankwasiyya city to its original concept. The challenge now is thrown to the owners, residents of the city including other stakeholders to rally round the governor in his avowed resolve to make the city habitable.

Dan Sa’idu
Wrote in from Eye On Kano Initiative
16/3/2025

By Saleh Shehu Ashaka

In an unprecedented turn of events, the Voice of America (VOA), a beacon of unbiased news and a symbol of free press, finds itself in silence. The abrupt cessation of all broadcasts, across languages and platforms, marks a significant moment in the history of global journalism. This development, attributed to funding cuts under the Trump administration, signals not just the end of an era but also raises profound questions about the future of international broadcasting and the role of media in a rapidly changing world.

For decades, VOA has served as a vital conduit for information, bridging cultural and political divides, and providing a platform for voices that might otherwise remain unheard. Its mission, to deliver accurate and objective news, has been a cornerstone of its operations, fostering understanding and dialogue across nations. The sudden halt of its broadcasts is a stark reminder of the fragility of media institutions and the ever-present threat of political influence.

The decision to cut funding to the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA, reflects a broader trend of diminishing support for public broadcasting. It underscores the challenges faced by media organizations in maintaining independence and integrity in an era where information is increasingly weaponized. The implications of this move are far-reaching, affecting not only the employees and journalists dedicated to their craft but also the millions of listeners and viewers who rely on VOA for reliable news.

In the absence of VOA’s voice, we are compelled to reflect on the critical role that media plays in shaping public discourse and holding power to account. The free flow of information is the lifeblood of democracy, and any attempt to stifle it poses a threat to the very principles upon which democratic societies are built. The suspension of VOA broadcasts serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the need for vigilance in protecting press freedom and ensuring that media organizations can operate without fear of retribution or censorship.

Moreover, this development invites us to consider the broader geopolitical implications. VOA has long been a tool of soft power, promoting American values and fostering goodwill abroad. Its silence creates a vacuum that could be exploited by other state-sponsored media outlets, potentially reshaping narratives and influencing public opinion in ways that may not align with democratic ideals.

As we navigate this uncertain landscape, it is imperative that we advocate for the restoration of funding and support for VOA and similar institutions. The preservation of a free and independent press is not merely a matter of national interest but a global imperative. It requires a collective commitment to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and truth.

The suspension of VOA broadcasts is a sobering reminder of the challenges facing media organizations today. It calls upon us to reaffirm our commitment to press freedom and to recognize the indispensable role that journalism plays in fostering informed and engaged societies. As we await further developments, let us remain steadfast in our support for those who strive to illuminate the world with truth and integrity. The end of an era need not be the end of hope; rather, it can be a catalyst for renewed dedication to the ideals that VOA has long championed.