FROM CRISIS TO HOPE

 KURE ADAMS reckons that Kaduna is quietly redefining governance in North-West Nigeria, and beyond

When Governor Uba Sani assumed office on May 29, 2023, Kaduna State stood at a fragile inflection point. Emerging from years of ethnic and religious tension, mass displacement caused by insecurity, and economic stagnation, the state needed more than a new leadership. It needed transformative vision. 

Two years after with Sani on the saddle, what has unfolded has been nothing short of remarkable. There is healing, security has replaced insecurity, economic boom is happening in hitherto lifeless lands, and fear is turning to hope. 

From the outset, Governor Sani rejected politics-as-usual and adopted a governance philosophy based on inclusion, transparency, and responsiveness. His efforts are now bearing fruits as he was recently awarded as “Best Governor on Peace and Security” at the 2025 Blueprint Impact Series Awards in Abuja. The organisers were wowed at the restoration of peace and order to Kaduna within two years. Represented by Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, the governor dedicated the award to Kaduna people and stated that the recognition was a validation of his administration’s “enduring commitment to peace, security and inclusive governance.”

In January, Sani received the THISDAY Anniversary award of ‘Governor of the Year 2024’ for “restoring law and order in hotspots like Birnin Gwari” and for his “inclusive policies, infrastructure renewal and community engagement.” And in May, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) presented him with their Good Governance Award in the Peace Building and Development category while lauding his inclusive policies, infrastructure renewal, and community empowerment efforts.

While those outside Kaduna may not appreciate this transformation, the people of Kaduna and regular visitors can understand why Sani is getting so much commendation. About a decade prior to May 2023, not everywhere in Kaduna was safe to go. Religious crises, kidnapping and banditry were thriving in different areas of the state. But like someone prepared, Sani had a vision – an inclusive and all-encompassing one. 

The vision, now christened as ‘Kaduna Model’ involves a non-kinetic approach that does not rely solely on force. Rather, his administration engaged all stakeholders in communities and a wide gamut of local, state and federal security to respond to the criminals while empowering communities to take ownership of their own safety. That approach has brought life to areas formerly deserted because of banditry. For instance, at Birnin Gwari, a large cattle market which closed about a decade ago, is now thriving.

Meanwhile, the federal government endorsed Kaduna’s approach. At the recent commissioning of the Qatar Sanabil Project, 50 fully-equipped houses, a school, clinic, and community marketplace to families displaced by banditry, President Bola Tinubu, formally commended the state’s peace model. Represented by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Tinubu praised Governor Sani for steering Kaduna from a place of ‘despair’ to a position of aspiration.

“Kaduna is safe today,” Tinubu said. 

“We can testify to that. The tears are drying, the wounds are healing. You are restoring trust, not just houses. Your scars may not vanish, but your resilience will define your future. Kaduna’s story is no longer one of tragedy, but of triumph through collaboration and compassion.” 

The president further added that the federal government would continue to support proactive states like Kaduna. One beautiful thing is that Governor Sani sees beyond immediate relief. Phase One of the Qatar partnership provides more than just shelter of 500 flats. It includes empowerment tools like tricycles, grinding machines, welding kits, salon implements, and cargo bikes to support widows, unemployed youth, and vulnerable households in rebuilding livelihoods. Sani’s statement at the handover was poignant

“This is about telling every widow, orphan and displaced soul that they are not forgotten,” said Sani who thanked the Qatar Charity Foundation and donor Aisha bint Khalfan for fully funding the project, disclosing that this was a highlight of his public life. 

“We are doing this because peace without dignity is incomplete. Safety without healing is hollow. This is a people-first model. It speaks not just to recovery but resilience. Let this not just be a moment of applause, but a call to action.”

However, Sani has been sterling in more than restoring peace as he is also attacking poverty and unemployment. His administration launched vocational and technology skills acquisition centers in Rigachikun, Samaru Kataf, and Soba, targeting artificial intelligence, solar power, automotive repair, ICT, and more. These centers are certified by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and aim to train 1,600 youths annually. He also revitalized the famous Panteka Market, to become a modern hub where over 38,000 artisans access training in various skills like carpentry, painting, welding, electrical work, and plumbing – also earning NBTE certifications. So passionate is Sani about skills acquisition that he chairs the Kaduna State Skills Development Council, which he created.

On financial inclusion, his administration actively integrated some 2.5 million underserved and unbanked citizens into the banking system through partnerships with fintechs like eTranzact, launching accessible products like Credo and PocketMoni, and running financial literacy programs to promote sustainable personal finance and MSME growth. Simultaneously, he provided a N4.2 billion SME relief fund and supported over 8,600 nano- and micro-businesses with grants ranging from N50,000 to N300,000 to cushion the impact of rising living costs under the ‘A Kori Talauchi’ poverty alleviation programme. Even civil servants benefited via a N500 million low-interest revolving loan scheme, while ₦6.6 billion in death and gratuity payments have been disbursed since Sani became governor.

In agriculture, the Sani administration launched a ₦500 million agro-processing and marketing grant to support 7,500 smallholder farmers, processors, and agripreneurs. Farmers across the state received improved seedlings, fertilizer, and mechanisation support. He also facilitated access to credit and inputs for youth and women, helping to scale agribusinesses and create jobs. In collaboration with development partners and the Central Bank of Nigeria, irrigation and rural access roads were improved to ensure all-year-round farming and better market access. Under his leadership, Kaduna attracted agro-businesses and the African Development Bank Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) program, backed by a $538 million investment. 

What stands out is how these diverse policies are interlinked. Markets are open again, farmers are returning again, children are learning again, and displaced families have roofs over their heads. Its partnerships are lauded by international donors. Its citizens, once scattered, are returning home. Its youth are training for global opportunities. Its poorest are gaining bank accounts and small businesses. Kaduna is re-owning its place as a northern powerhouse. Traditional leaders now function as intelligence partners and fulfil their peacekeeping role.

Indeed, Kaduna under Uba Sani is not just surviving. It is quietly redefining governance in the North-West and setting an example for other states. These are not small victories. Kaduna is now a reference point as its peace model is held up by the federal government.

However, to fully redeem Kaduna and position the state as a beacon for other crisis ridden regions across Nigeria, the Sani administration should remain people centered. Governor Sani should maintain his trajectory. That is a legacy worth pursuing.

Adams writes from Kaduna

letter

SIR AHMADU BELLO FOUNDATION TWO-DAY FORUM

On Monday, October 17, 2022, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), participated in a landmark engagement with the Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna. Organized by prominent Northern organizations, including the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, and the Northern Elders Forum, at Arewa House offered presidential hopefuls an open, sincere platform to present their vision for the region.

That 2022 event stood out as one of the most impactful political engagements of the 2023 election cycle. Tinubu appeared in person and responded to difficult, unfiltered questions on pressing Northern issues such as insecurity, youth unemployment, education, and economic development. The openness of the session gave many Northerners a renewed sense of belonging and relevance in the national political space.

Fast forward to July 28–29, 2025. The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation convened another two-day interactive programme at the same venue, Arewa House, with the theme: “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Development.” The political context had shifted significantly, public dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration was rising in the North, the region that gave him over 5.6 million votes and remains the APC’s core support base.

I was invited to this important programme but was initially disappointed to learn I would be unable to attend due to other pressing engagements. I was, however, somewhat relieved upon discovering that, although the event gathered an impressive lineup of nearly 60 high-ranking government officials, ministers, agency heads, and special advisers, it did not fully live up to its promise of genuine interaction.

Indeed, the programme featured several presentations from top federal appointees who spoke on their ministries’ mandates, policies, and interventions. Some northern leaders and journalists were also in attendance. There was a structured opportunity for questions and answers. However, the session lacked the depth of citizen engagement and spontaneity that defined the 2022 encounter. The atmosphere was noticeably more formal, with limited room for robust public participation or unscripted feedback.

Many of those in attendance expected an open, townhall-style conversation, one where citizens could express their concerns directly to those in power. Unfortunately, that did not happen. While a few questions were entertained, they were tightly moderated and did not allow for meaningful back-and-forth. The voices of everyday Northerners were largely missing from the conversation.

This shift from an interactive dialogue to a controlled, presentation-heavy format was more than a missed opportunity, it was a strategic blunder. At a time when the administration desperately needs to reconnect with its base in the North, the event could have served as a much-needed platform to rebuild trust, gauge public sentiment, and demonstrate humility.

Instead, it was perceived by many as a routine bureaucratic gathering, officials spoke, photo-ops were taken, the programme ended, and the people were left out.

To be fair, the event was well-organized, and credit must be given to the management of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for the professionalism in planning and logistics. But the deeper issue lies with how government and its communication machinery continue to underestimate the power of true civic engagement.

This is a wake-up call. What the North, and indeed all regions, require are platforms where ordinary citizens can ask hard questions and receive honest answers. Events of this nature must be more than ceremonial; they must be substantive, transparent, and people-focused.

If President Tinubu truly wants to speak to the North and not just about it, then spaces must be created where he and his team can listen to the people. The North still has questions, and it still deserves answers.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja