By Mohammed Babagana Abubakar
The Unifier Project Coordinator Kano State

Political analyst Larry Sabato once observed that politics is a good deal like religion in that everyone should have some, but it should be the right kind. For many years in Nigeria’s most populous commercial nerve center, the dominant style of politics was deeply transactional defined by entrenched godfatherism, conditional patronage, and a persistent gulf between campaign promises and governmental action.

However, as the administration of marks its third anniversary, Kano State is witnessing a profound philosophical shift in governance. The celebrations currently unfolding across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas are not merely acknowledgments of completed infrastructure projects, they are endorsements of a distinct people-centered leadership model that prioritizes human development over political theatrics.

To analyze the politics of promises kept under Governor Yusuf is to understand how deliberate populist policies, fiscal discipline, and strategic political courage can converge to redefine the relationship between government and the governed.

At the heart of people centered governance lies a simple principle, public resources must produce maximum public value. In a state as demographically significant and economically dynamic as Kano, governance cannot remain an elite driven exercise detached from grassroots realities.

Governor Yusuf’s governing philosophy popularly known as the Gida Gida administration has gained traction because it redirected state priorities from prestige driven spending toward human capital development. When a government consistently aligns public expenditure with the immediate concerns of ordinary citizens, political legitimacy is no longer enforced through patronage, it is naturally earned through trust and visible impact.

One defining characteristic of visionary leadership is the willingness to adequately fund public commitments. Nowhere is this more evident than in Kano’s education sector. By declaring a State of Emergency on education and allocating approximately 31 percent of the state budget to the sector surpassing the UNESCO benchmark the administration transformed education policy from campaign rhetoric into measurable institutional action.

Comprehensive renovation and upgrading of public primary and secondary school classrooms across the state.

Recruitment, regularization, and strategic deployment of qualified teachers to improve classroom to teacher ratios.

Revival of foreign postgraduate scholarship schemes for outstanding graduates, opening global academic opportunities for talented but vulnerable students.

These interventions reflect a long term investment strategy aimed at repositioning education as the foundation of sustainable economic and social advancement

In healthcare delivery, the administration abandoned the traditional overconcentration on metropolitan tertiary facilities. Instead, it prioritized the revitalization and equipping of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in rural and underserved communities.

This decentralized healthcare strategy directly addresses maternal and infant mortality rates at the grassroots level, where healthcare vulnerability is often most severe.

Beyond healthcare, the administration has also extended its reform agenda into the justice sector. Through legal and institutional reforms, the government has sought to expand access to legal aid services, strengthen pro bono legal networks, and accelerate the handling of prolonged detention cases. These reforms reinforce a broader philosophy that justice should not be determined by wealth, social status, or political influence.

A critical examination of Governor Yusuf’s leadership style reveals a government that is both adaptive and politically independent. Over the last three years, the Governor has consistently demonstrated that he views his electoral mandate as one entrusted directly by the people not as a proxy arrangement controlled by political godfathers.

His administrative choices have frequently emphasized competence, institutional effectiveness, and public accountability over narrow political loyalty.

Equally significant is the administration’s pragmatic approach to national political engagement. Strategic collaboration with federal institutions and broader national governance structures reflects a sophisticated understanding of Kano’s economic and geopolitical importance within Nigeria and the wider West African sub region.

As the Governor himself has repeatedly emphasized, Kano is too strategically important to isolate itself from national opportunities. By maintaining constructive engagement with the center, the administration has created a more stable environment for commerce, infrastructure development, investment attraction, and security coordination.

Ultimately, leadership is validated not by political slogans but by the economic realities experienced by ordinary citizens.

Under Governor Yusuf’s administration, Kano State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) reportedly rose from earlier baselines of approximately ₦37 to ₦40 billion to over ₦100 billion by the close of the 2025 fiscal year. Significantly, this growth was achieved not through excessive taxation of petty traders and small-scale market operators, but through tighter fiscal controls, improved revenue administration, and the systematic elimination of financial leakages.

The expansion in state revenue has directly supported a welfare centered governance agenda:

The administration has maintained consistent and uninterrupted salary payments, helping to sustain purchasing power and stabilize household incomes across the state.

Thousands of retirees have benefited from aggressive interventions aimed at clearing long-standing pension and gratuity backlogs. For many households, these payments have represented both economic relief and the restoration of dignity after years of uncertainty.

In the final analysis, the politics of promises kept represents one of the highest forms of democratic legitimacy. Political power becomes meaningful only when it is deliberately used to confront the fundamental realities of human existence poverty, illiteracy, disease, unemployment, and structural exclusion.

As the third-anniversary activities continue to showcase the administration’s achievements, the celebrations across Kano are not merely orchestrated political ceremonies. They reflect the sentiments of a population that increasingly feels recognized, included, and valued within the governance process.

Through a combination of fiscal courage, administrative humility, strategic foresight, and grassroots engagement, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has demonstrated that when leaders protect the mandate of the people, the people, in turn, protect the legacy of leadership.

Kano State appears firmly positioned on a path toward sustainable development, and its future remains exceptionally promising.

By Tijjani Sarki
Good Governance Advocate and Public Policy Analyst

Leadership earns its true value when it restores public confidence, inspires hope, and remains connected to the everyday realities of the people. As the administration of His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, marks three years in office, Kano State stands at an important moment of reflection on a journey defined by resilience, grassroots engagement, and renewed commitment to social development.

For many citizens, the emergence of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf represented more than political change, it symbolized the return of inclusive governance and people-oriented leadership. Despite the economic and political challenges facing the nation, the administration has continued to demonstrate commitment toward improving education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social welfare across the state.

Particularly commendable is the renewed attention given to public education through school rehabilitation, scholarship support, and investment in learning facilities. Equally significant are efforts toward reviving abandoned projects and strengthening public service delivery in ways that directly affect ordinary citizens.

Politically, the administration has also shown stability and resilience amid intense opposition and legal distractions. Yet, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf continues to maintain strong grassroots connection, especially among young people and supporters who see the government as reflective of their aspirations for fairness, development, and responsive leadership.
Like every administration, challenges remain. Economic hardship, unemployment, and growing public expectations continue to demand greater commitment and innovative solutions. Nevertheless, constructive engagement and collective responsibility remain essential in sustaining progress and ensuring that governance continues to serve the interests of the people.

As Kano gradually approaches another political phase, the priority should remain the consolidation of developmental gains, strengthening of institutions, and promotion of policies capable of improving the living standards of citizens across the state.

At this significant milestone, it is important to appreciate the efforts made so far in promoting people-centered governance and restoring confidence in public leadership. While history will continue to judge every administration by its impact, the commitment to public engagement and social development shown within these three years deserves recognition.

I congratulate His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, on this three-year anniversary in office and pray that Almighty Allah grants him wisdom, strength, good health, and greater success in his continued service to the people of Kano State.

Tijjani Sarki
Zawaciki, Kano State
May 29, 2026

By Abdu Saidu

The third anniversary of the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf provides an opportunity to reflect on a period that has been marked by deliberate efforts to accelerate development and improve the welfare of the people of Kano State. Since assuming office in May 2023, the administration has pursued policies and projects aimed at addressing critical needs across multiple sectors while laying the foundation for sustainable growth and prosperity.

Over the past three years, governance in Kano has been largely defined by investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, transportation, water resources, youth empowerment, and economic development. These sectors have remained at the center of the administration’s agenda, reflecting a commitment to improving public service delivery and expanding opportunities for citizens.

Among the sectors that have received significant attention is education. Recognizing that the future of any society depends on the quality of its human capital, the government has continued to prioritize educational development through interventions designed to improve learning conditions and increase access to educational opportunities. The emphasis on education reflects a broader understanding that long-term progress can only be achieved through sustained investment in knowledge and human development.

The healthcare sector has also occupied a strategic place within the administration’s development framework. Access to quality healthcare remains one of the most important expectations of citizens, and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery have become an important component of the government’s vision. Through initiatives aimed at improving medical services and enhancing healthcare infrastructure, the administration has sought to ensure that communities across the state benefit from better healthcare outcomes.

Agriculture, the backbone of livelihood for many households in Kano, has equally remained a priority. As one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural states, Kano occupies a unique position in food production and agribusiness. The administration’s commitment to supporting farmers and promoting agricultural development underscores the importance of the sector in driving economic growth, enhancing food security, and creating employment opportunities for thousands of residents.

Infrastructure development has emerged as one of the most visible aspects of the administration’s achievements. Road construction and rehabilitation projects undertaken across different parts of the state have improved connectivity and facilitated movement within communities. Beyond their physical appearance, these projects serve as critical enablers of economic activity by connecting people to markets, businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities.

Closely linked to infrastructure development is the transportation sector, which has witnessed continued government attention. Efficient transportation systems play a vital role in supporting economic activities and improving the quality of life of citizens. By investing in transportation infrastructure and services, the administration has contributed to efforts aimed at creating a more accessible and productive environment for residents and businesses alike.

Water supply remains another area where government intervention has had considerable significance. Access to clean and reliable water is essential for public health, sanitation, and overall well-being. Through initiatives designed to improve water infrastructure and expand access to potable water, the administration has demonstrated its commitment to addressing one of the most fundamental needs of communities across the state.

The administration’s focus on human capital development extends beyond education to include youth and women empowerment. Across Kano State, efforts aimed at creating opportunities for young people and women have formed part of a broader strategy to encourage economic participation and self-reliance. By supporting initiatives that enhance skills, entrepreneurship, and economic inclusion, the government continues to invest in the potential of its people as drivers of development.

Economic growth and commercial development have also remained central to the administration’s vision. Kano has historically been recognized as one of Nigeria’s foremost commercial centers, and government policies have sought to strengthen that position through measures designed to support businesses, stimulate investment, and encourage economic activities. These efforts reflect an understanding that sustainable development requires a vibrant economy capable of creating opportunities and improving living standards.

Beyond individual projects and sectoral interventions, the administration’s approach to governance has emphasized responsiveness, public engagement, and a strong focus on service delivery. The various initiatives implemented over the past three years collectively represent an effort to improve the lives of citizens while building institutions and infrastructure that can support future generations.

As Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf marks three years in office, the story of his administration is closely tied to a vision of development that places people at the center of governance. The investments recorded across education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, transportation, water resources, and economic empowerment have contributed to shaping a new narrative of progress in Kano State.

The third anniversary of the administration is therefore not merely a celebration of time spent in office. It is a reflection of a development journey driven by a commitment to public service, social investment, and the pursuit of a more prosperous future. For many residents, the progress recorded across key sectors represents a renewed sense of hope and confidence in the possibilities of governance when development remains the central objective.

As Kano continues its march toward greater growth and modernization, the achievements of the past three years stand as important milestones in the ongoing effort to build a stronger, more inclusive, and economically vibrant state for present and future generations.