By Our Correspondent
The Kano State Executive Council has approved projects and programmes worth ₦55.48 billion, with education receiving the largest share of the allocation as the government steps up investment in infrastructure, healthcare, road construction, water supply and rural development.
The approvals were made during the 40th Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the Council Chamber, Government House, Kano.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, said the Council approved a total expenditure of ₦55,475,406,487.82 for strategic projects aimed at accelerating socio-economic development and improving the welfare of residents.
He said the approvals reflect the administration’s commitment to strengthening education, healthcare, road infrastructure, water supply, environmental sanitation, housing, rural development and public service delivery.
Education emerged as the biggest beneficiary, with the Council approving more than 30 projects covering the renovation and construction of schools, classrooms, libraries, ICT centres, staff quarters, perimeter fencing, furniture and solar power installations across the state.
Major approvals include the rehabilitation of Sani Bello Science College, Dawakin Kudu, at over ₦1.02 billion; the rehabilitation of Government Science Secondary School, Dawakin Tofa, worth ₦896.3 million; settlement of outstanding boarding school feeding bills amounting to ₦816.2 million; establishment of the Maryam Abba Yusuf Modern Learning Centre at Rijiyar Gwangwan; rehabilitation of 31 buses under the Girls’ Child Education Initiative; and procurement of educational materials for special education schools.
The Council also approved several healthcare projects aimed at expanding access to quality medical services.
The projects include the reconstruction and upgrading of primary healthcare centres in Kumbotso, Kiru, Dukawa, Gano, Warawa, Gwale and Nassarawa, as well as the procurement of medical equipment for Garun Malam General Hospital, Ghari General Hospital and the Kano State Comprehensive Sickle Cell Treatment Centre at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.
Billions for Roads, Infrastructure
Road construction and infrastructure development also received significant funding.
The Council approved the construction of the Ungogo–Minjibir Road at ₦10.47 billion, the Kofar Waika–Turba–Gidan Siminti–Dorawar Dillalai Road, spanning Gwale, Dala and Ungogo local government areas, at ₦3.67 billion, and the reconstruction of roads around Singer Market at ₦3.09 billion.
Other approvals include the reconstruction of Ali Yakasai and Tukur roads in Nassarawa Local Government Area, installation of solar-powered street lights on major roads, and completion of the New Kano State House of Assembly Office Complex and other public infrastructure.
₦6.5bn Approved as Compensation
Under the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, the Council approved more than ₦6.5 billion as compensation for property owners affected by major road projects.
The beneficiaries include owners of 361 properties affected by the Kano Northern Bypass Road, 1,113 properties along the Gaya Dualised Road Project, and those impacted by the Kano–Dawakin Tofa–Gwarzo–Dayi Dualisation Project.
The Council also approved the purchase of a property at Kofar Nassarawa for conversion into an Islamiyya school for girls and women.
To improve water supply and environmental sanitation, the Council approved more than ₦7 billion for the supply of diesel to water works, payment of electricity bills, annual desilting of drainage channels, cemetery intervention works, beautification of parks and construction of drainage systems across Gwale Local Government Area.
The Council approved the construction of perimeter fences and security gates at Kwankwasiyya City and Amana City, alongside the release of ₦1.169 billion as counterpart funding for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
It also approved the implementation of a five-year Kano Integrated Rural and Sustainable Community Development Framework.
Broadcasting Equipment
The Information Ministry received approval for the procurement of modern broadcasting equipment for the Kano State Broadcasting Corporation, renovation of the office of the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, and a two-day capacity-building workshop for public information officers across ministries, departments and agencies.
Health Bills
The Executive Council also approved the transmission of several health-related bills to the Kano State House of Assembly.
The proposed legislation includes a review of the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board Law, the establishment of colleges of health sciences through the upgrading of health institutions in Kano and Bebeji, and a review of the Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency Bill.
Council Bans ‘Daba’
The Council declared the practice popularly known as “Daba” a deviant and unacceptable social act, directing security agencies and relevant government institutions to intensify enforcement against it.
It also approved Kano State’s participation in the NG-CARES 2.0 Additional Financing Programme, aimed at expanding social protection, supporting vulnerable households and stimulating economic recovery.
Council members received a report on the successful conduct of the 2026 Hajj exercise and commended the welfare arrangements and safe transportation of Kano pilgrims.
They also received a presentation on the US$7.7 trillion global halal economy, highlighting opportunities for Kano State to position itself as a leading hub for halal products and services.
Presentations were also made on the Kano State Master Plan and progress in the revitalisation of regional water supply schemes.
Governor Receives Awards
During the meeting, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf received several awards and recognitions from professional bodies, civil society organisations, youth groups, health institutions and media organisations in recognition of his administration’s performance in education, infrastructure, healthcare and public service.
Among the organisations that honoured the governor were the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), the Computer Society of Nigeria, the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria, the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, the Kano State Online Media Chapel and several other professional and community organisations.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Waiya said the decisions taken by the Executive Council underscore Governor Yusuf’s commitment to delivering sustainable development and improving the quality of life of Kano residents through strategic investments in critical sectors.
