Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to mobilising support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Ostensibly reacting to opposition comments, Gov. Yusuf insisted he has no cause of regret of apologetic to any figure, owing to his support for Tinubu’s re-election.

The governor made the declaration during an interactive session with elected and appointed government officials held at the Coronation Hall of the Government House in Kano.

Expressing confidence in President Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term, Yusuf assured that Kano would deliver overwhelming votes for the President in the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, “our administration in Kano has no reason to apologise for supporting President Tinubu”, stressing that the President’s re-election remains a collective responsibility of all party members and government officials.

The Governor however directed all political appointees serving in his administration who are yet to register as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to do so without further delay.

Yusuf stressed that every elected and appointed government official must identify with the party and actively participate in strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 polls.

He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to ensure the APC records victories in the presidential, governorship, National Assembly, State Assembly and local government elections.

As part of measures aimed at motivating political office holders, the governor approved the allocation of plots of land to more than 300 political aides, including Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Senior Special Reporters, Special Reporters and Personal Assistants. He also approved the payment of N100,000 to each of the beneficiaries.

Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ismail Falgore, also at the meeting re-emphaised that APC in Kano owes no apology for promoting the achievements of President Tinubu in Kano State.

Falgore noted that constituency projects executed by members of the State Assembly, with the support of Governor Yusuf, had further strengthened the party’s popularity across the state and positioned it for victory in the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, the APC Chairman in Kano State, Hon. Umar Haruna Doguwa, declared that “the battle line has been drawn” with the Kwankwasiyya movement, expressing confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the forthcoming elections.

At the end of the meeting, elected and appointed government officials unanimously passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The officials also pledged to intensify grassroots mobilisation and work collectively towards ensuring the success of the APC at all levels during the 2027 general elections.

Nigeria has reinforced its growing influence in global higher education as 24 universities secured places in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings, the highest representation by any country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The latest rankings place the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos among Nigeria’s highest-ranked universities, while Bayero University Kano emerged as one of the country’s top-performing institutions. Nigeria also increased its representation in the global rankings from 21 universities in 2024 and 2025 to 24 universities in 2026, making it the most represented country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Nigerian contingent comprises 17 federal universities, three state universities and four private universities, underscoring the increasing competitiveness of the country’s tertiary education sector across teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

The rankings also reflect the growing recognition of specialised institutions, with several federal universities of technology and agriculture earning places, while state-owned universities continued to strengthen their global standing through improved academic performance and research output.

Reacting to the latest rankings, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the achievement as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s higher education sector, saying it reflects the positive outcomes of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the nation’s universities. He noted that the growing international recognition of Nigerian institutions underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming tertiary education into a catalyst for innovation, research, human capital development and sustainable national growth.

Pundits say the latest recognition is expected to boost the international profile of Nigerian universities, enhance opportunities for global collaborations, attract research funding and encourage sustained investment in quality teaching, innovation and institutional development across the country’s higher education landscape.

The 24 Nigerian universities that featured in the 2026 THE rankings are:

1. University of Ibadan

2. University of Lagos

3. Bayero University Kano

4. Covenant University

5. Landmark University

6. Ahmadu Bello University

7. Federal University of Technology, Minna

8. University of Ilorin

9. University of Jos

10. University of Nigeria, Nsukka

11. Babcock University

12. Delta State University, Abraka

13. Ekiti State University

14. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

15. Federal University of Technology, Akure

16. Federal University of Technology, Owerri

17. Federal University Oye-Ekiti

18. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

19. Lagos State University

20. Nnamdi Azikiwe University

21. Obafemi Awolowo University

22. University of Benin

23. University of Calabar

24. University of Port Harcourt

Associations representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kano State have commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for what they described as his commitment to inclusive governance while calling for the immediate implementation and take-off of the Kano State Disability Commission to strengthen disability inclusion and representation.

In a press release jointly signed by leaders of various disability associations in the state on Friday, the groups also praised the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, for what they described as his consistent engagement with disability organisations and efforts to ensure that their voices are reflected in government decision-making processes.

According to the statement, the associations said Waiya’s inclusive approach has strengthened confidence among members of the disability community and demonstrated the Kano State Government’s commitment to social justice, equal participation and inclusive governance.

The groups, however, expressed concern over what they described as persistent challenges in their relationship with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Disabilities, despite what they acknowledged as the governor’s commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable groups in the state.

The associations stated that the ministry’s current approach does not adequately reflect Governor Yusuf’s vision of promoting the dignity, empowerment and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in governance. They warned that the situation could undermine the objectives for which the ministry was established.

According to the statement, the disability groups have on several occasions submitted formal complaints and observations to relevant authorities over what they described as poor treatment and inadequate engagement of recognised disability organisations by the ministry.

The associations cited the recent distribution of Eid sacrificial cows donated by Governor Yusuf as one example of their concerns. They alleged that the items were distributed to selected individuals based on personal affiliations rather than through recognised disability leadership structures, which they said had been the established practice in previous interventions.

The statement noted that the development generated dissatisfaction among many members of the disability community across Kano State, adding that transparent engagement with recognised organisations would have promoted fairness and accountability.

Highlighting their grievances, the associations alleged that recognised disability organisations and representative bodies are frequently sidelined in decision-making processes and in the implementation of programmes directly affecting Persons with Disabilities in the state.

They also expressed concern over what they described as inadequate consultation with disability stakeholders during the design and implementation of policies, programmes and interventions targeted at Persons with Disabilities.

Furthermore, the groups alleged that legitimate umbrella bodies representing Persons with Disabilities are often excluded from important government engagements and the distribution of welfare packages, a situation they said weakens effective representation and participation.

According to the statement, the current situation is inconsistent with Governor Yusuf’s publicly stated commitment to inclusive governance and social protection for vulnerable groups, particularly Persons with Disabilities.

To address these concerns, the associations appealed to the Kano State Government to establish a high-powered committee to facilitate the implementation and operational take-off of the Kano State Disability Commission. They noted that similar commissions already exist in several states across Nigeria and have strengthened disability inclusion and rights protection.

The groups said an operational Disability Commission would provide a dedicated institutional framework for protecting the rights of Persons with Disabilities, coordinating interventions, promoting accountability and ensuring the effective implementation of disability-inclusive policies across Kano State.

The associations expressed confidence that the establishment and operationalisation of the commission would significantly improve inclusion, service delivery, representation and accountability in matters affecting Persons with Disabilities.

The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the PWDs Association, Kano State, alongside cluster heads including Musa Muhammad Shaga of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Abdurrahman Uba Daushe of the Spinal Cord Injuries Association, Musa Muhammad Kura of the National Association of the Blind, Salisu Da’u Dawakin Kudu of the Lepers Association, Mariya Ishaq of the Albinism Association, Sani Babachanka of the Deaf Association, and Yahaya A. Yahaya of the Physically Challenged Association.