DRIVING NATIONAL REBIRTH

 By fostering unity and strategic leadership, Uba Sani is advancing national development, argues JAPHETH IDRIS

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Admittedly, Nigeria’s political landscape is undergoing a transformative phase under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, guided by the Renewed Hope Agenda. This policy framework, articulated in an 80-page document released during the 2023 election campaign, prioritizes national security, economic growth, agriculture, infrastructure, and inclusive development to foster shared prosperity and sustainable progress. At the sub-national level, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has emerged as a pivotal figure in advancing this agenda through strategic leadership and a deliberate focus on elevating competence and capacity driven individuals to key positions. 

By aligning his governance model with President Tinubu’s vision, Governor Sani has not only transformed Kaduna into a hub of peace and development in just two years but also positioned the state as a critical ally in driving Nigeria’s national rebirth.

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In doing this, a cornerstone of Sani’s strategy is his deliberate elevation of competent individuals with proven capacity and track record from Kaduna State into key federal positions, thus ensuring that the state’s talent pool supports Tinubu’s vision. A notable example is the appointment of Dr. Abdulmumini Mohammed Aminu-Zaria as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NWRMC). Aminu-Zaria, a seasoned human resources professional with over three decades of experience in the oil and gas sector, who retired from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) in March 2025. His appointment reflects Sani’s commitment to identifying and promoting individuals with proven expertise to drive federal initiatives. It is gratifying that Aminu-Zaria has pledged to deliver on his mandate at the NWRMC, thus aligning his efforts with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Sani’s pro-people policies in Kaduna.

This strategic decision of elevating competence above other considerations is not an isolated case but part of a broader pattern. Governor Sani’s loyalty to Tinubu has positioned him as a key ally in identifying capable individuals who can contribute to national development. By recommending professionals like Aminu-Zaria, Uba Sani ensures that Kaduna’s human capital is leveraged to advance federal priorities, such as economic diversification, infrastructure development, and sustainable growth. This approach mirrors President Tinubu’s own strategy of appointing competent leaders, such as Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the young CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), to drive innovation and industrialization. Governor Sani’s focus on competence, therefore, ensures that Kaduna’s contributions to the Renewed Hope Agenda are both strategic and impactful.

Governor Uba Sani’s administration, it must be stated, has been marked by a leadership philosophy that is rooted in inclusivity, competence, and strategic collaboration. Since assuming office, he has prioritized peace, security, and infrastructure development, earning generous commendations from President Tinubu, who described him as an “agent of change” during a recent state visit in June. His approach to governance emphasizes unity across ethnic and political divides, a critical factor in Kaduna, a state historically plagued by ethnic tensions and security challenges. Governor Uba Sani’s ability to foster reconciliation and build political alliances, such as bringing former governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi back to the All Progressives Congress (APC), demonstrates his commitment to a unified political structure that supports Tinubu’s agenda. 

His inclusive governance extends beyond politics. His collaboration with opposition figures like former Vice President Namadi Sambo highlights his pragmatic approach to uniting Kaduna for development. By organizing economic and security conferences, Sani has created platforms for dialogue among stakeholders, ensuring that policies are inclusive and reflective of diverse perspectives. This aligns with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes democracy, development, and diaspora engagement as core pillars for national transformation. Sani’s ability to bridge divides and foster collaboration has created a stable environment in Kaduna, enabling the state to contribute effectively to national goals.

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Kaduna State, under Governor Sani’s leadership, has become a model for infrastructure development, a key pillar of Tinubu’s agenda. During Tinubu’s visit to Kaduna last month, he commissioned a 300-bed specialist hospital, a skills and vocational center, and 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, projects that reflect e governor’s alignment with federal priorities. These initiatives address critical needs in healthcare, skills development, and sustainable transportation, contributing to Tinubu’s goal of improving citizens’ quality of life. Additionally, Tinubu’s allocation of ₦100 billion in the 2025 budget for the Kaduna Light-Rail Transit project underscores the synergy between federal and state efforts to enhance infrastructure.

Governor Uba Sani’s support for Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly tax and agricultural policies, further illustrates his role in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda. He has publicly endorsed Tinubu’s tax reform bills, arguing that they will reset Nigeria’s economy for sustainable growth. In agriculture, Kaduna’s position as Nigeria’s largest producer of maize and a leading producer of ginger is being strengthened through targeted investments in irrigation and mechanization along the Kaduna River basin. These efforts align with Tinubu’s focus on agriculture as a means to address poverty, unemployment, and insecurity, reinforcing the state’s contribution to national economic revival. 

Security is a bedrock of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and Governor Sani’s efforts in Kaduna have been instrumental in creating a stable environment conducive to development. The Kaduna-Abuja expressway, once notorious for banditry and kidnapping, is now safe for travelers due to Sani’s proactive security measures. Tinubu has acknowledged this particular effort of Governor Uba Sani’s success in transforming Kaduna State. He described the situation as a once “toxic and uncontrollable environment that has transformed into an atmosphere of peace and stability.” Such a beautiful commendation, you would say. This transformation is a testament to the governor’s ability to create an enabling environment for development, which in turn supports the federal government’s broader objectives. By prioritizing peace and reconciliation among ethnic groups, Governor Uba Sani has created a model for other states, demonstrating how security underpins economic and social progress.

The focus on security, dubbed the “Kaduna Model”, aligns with President Tinubu’s broader strategy to combat terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping across Nigeria. The governor’s collaboration with federal security agencies and his engagement with traditional rulers have strengthened Kaduna’s stability, earning praises from stakeholders like Zamani Lekwot, a former military administrator. By creating a secure environment, the governor has enabled Kaduna to attract investments and implement development projects, directly supporting Tinubu’s vision of a safe and prosperous Nigeria.

Governor Uba Sani’s strategic leadership extends to political mobilization, particularly in the North West geopolitical zone, a critical electoral battleground. At the inaugural APC North West Stakeholders Meeting last May, he led efforts to unify party leaders and endorse President Tinubu for a second term in 2027. The meeting, attended by the then APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and other key figures, highlighted Tinubu’s achievements in infrastructure, agriculture, and human capital development. Governor Sani’s ability to consolidate support in the North West, a region with significant voter turnout, enhances the APC’s prospects and strengthens Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Additionally, Sani’s inclusive politics, which transcends ethnic and religious divides, aligns with Tinubu’s vision of fostering a society based on tolerance and compassion. By rallying political bigwigs and engaging opposition leaders, he has built a robust support base for the APC, ensuring that Kaduna remains a stronghold for Tinubu’s agenda. This political strategy is critical for sustaining the momentum of the Renewed Hope Agenda beyond 2027.

As Nigeria navigates its economic and security challenges, Sani’s model of governance offers a blueprint for other states, ensuring that the Renewed Hope Agenda translates into tangible outcomes for all Nigerians.

 Idris, a socio-political and economic commentator, writes from Abuja_