REWARD FOR IMPACTFUL LEADERSHIP

Uba Sani wins Governor of the Year Award, writes JOROME AMBALI

At a ceremony that underscored the power of exemplary leadership, purposeful and impactful governance, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State was conferred with the prestigious 2026 Governor of the Year Award by the National Leadership Awards. It held at the Merit House, Abuja. The National Leadership Awards, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s foremost platforms for celebrating excellence in public service and governance, recognised the governor’s courageous and people-centred leadership. Organisers highlighted measurable progress in the restoration of security, social cohesion, and accelerated infrastructure delivery across the state since he assumed office in May 2023.

This award is not merely ceremonial, it serves as a powerful validation of the transformative impact of the Uba Sani administration and as a beacon of hope for what contemporary Nigerian leadership can achieve.

Presenting the award, Chief B. J. Opara, Team Lead of the National Leadership Summit Group, succinctly captured the essence of Governor Sani’s stewardship with eloquence and conviction. “Governor Uba Sani exemplifies the leadership Nigeria urgently needs — resilient in confronting security challenges, deliberate in uniting a diverse populace, and steadfast in delivering tangible development. Kaduna’s trajectory under his watch is a compelling model of purposeful governance,” Opara declared. 

His words resonated deeply in a nation grappling with multifaceted challenges, from banditry, kidnapping and communal tensions to infrastructural deficits. For a state once synonymous with insecurity and division, the award symbolises a remarkable turnaround, crediting the governor’s visionary approach that prioritises results over rhetoric.

Representing Governor Sani at the event, the Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, conveyed the governor’s heartfelt appreciation. The governor dedicated the honour to the resilient people of Kaduna State, describing it as a reflection of their collective resolve and the administration’s unwavering commitment to peace, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.

 “This award reflects the collective resolve of our people and our administration’s unwavering commitment to peace, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. We remain focused on consolidating these gains for a safer and more united Kaduna,” the governor stated. 

The commissioner elaborated on key pillars of the administration’s success: significant improvements in security through intelligence-led operations, strengthened collaboration with federal security agencies, and expanded community engagement. These efforts have drastically reduced incidents of banditry, restored public confidence, and revived economic and social activities in previously affected areas.

The security gains under Governor Uba Sani since 2023 stand as one of the most remarkable achievements in the recent Nigerian governance ecosystem. Upon assuming office, the governor inherited a Kaduna State plagued by banditry, kidnappings, and farmer-herder clashes, particularly in Southern Kaduna and the Birnin Gwari/Giwa axis. Rather than relying solely on kinetic force, his administration adopted a holistic “Kaduna Peace Model” – an integrated framework emphasising dialogue, early warning systems, non-kinetic measures, and community-driven intelligence. This model has delivered zero ethno-religious crises for over 34 months now. A feat hailed even by President Bola Tinubu as a restoration of peace and unity.

Central to this success was the establishment of the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVS), which recruited and trained 7,000 personnel equipped with 150 security vehicles. These local operatives, working in synergy with traditional rulers, youth groups, and federal forces, have provided actionable grassroots intelligence, leading to the neutralisation of bandit networks and the reopening of schools, markets, farmlands, and the once-notorious Kaduna-Abuja expressway. Forward Operation Bases were strategically established following the governor’s direct engagements with the National Security Adviser and military chiefs. The result? Renewed public confidence, with residents moving freely in areas that were virtual no-go zones just three years ago. Mallam Maiyaki rightly noted that these intelligence-led operations and community partnerships have not only curtailed criminality but have also fostered a sense of ownership among citizens, turning potential victims into active stakeholders in their own security.

 In contemporary Nigeria, where insecurity has stifled economic potential in many states, Uba Sani’s proactive, collaborative approach demonstrates that security is achievable through leadership that blends enforcement with empathy and inclusion.

Equally transformative has been the administration’s drive for social cohesion and unity in a state long divided along ethnic and religious lines. Kaduna’s diversity, while a source of strength, had historically been weaponised by those Governor Sani called “conflict entrepreneurs.” The governor confronted this head-on with deliberate peace building and reconciliation efforts. Through regular interfaith dialogues, engagements with Christian and Muslim leaders, and initiatives chaired by the Bureau of Interfaith, the governor has bridged long-standing divides. He has hosted religious leaders, sponsored pilgrimages for Christians to complement those for Muslims, and promoted policies that ensure equitable representation across the state’s three senatorial zones—North, Central, and South.

These steps have healed old wounds, fostering a culture of mutual trust and respect.

The “Kaduna Peace Model” extends beyond rhetoric; it has institutionalised dialogue as a governance tool, with religious and traditional leaders playing pivotal roles in conflict prevention. Stakeholders nationwide now call for its replication, recognising Kaduna as an oasis of peace in a turbulent region. This inclusive leadership style—prioritising healing, equity, and fairness—has rebuilt trust across communities. In a Nigeria where ethno-religious tensions often derail development, Governor Uba Sani’s model proves that unity is not an abstract ideal but a deliberate policy outcome. His administration’s commitment to carrying every citizen along, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, has created an environment where development can thrive without the shadow of division.

Complementing security and unity is the administration’s accelerated push for infrastructure delivery, which has stimulated economic growth and improved livelihoods. Since 2023, the governor has awarded over 140 road projects spanning 1,335 kilometres across all 23 local government areas, with more than 60 per cent completed. This includes landmark initiatives like the 35-kilometre Gadar Gayan–Gwaraji–Maraban Kujama asphalt road, complete with a 130-metre bridge over River Kaduna, linking 76 farming communities that had never seen meaningful road projects before.

Rural transformation has been prioritised, shifting development from urban centres to hinterlands and reconnecting markets to boost agriculture—the backbone of Kaduna’s economy.

In healthcare, 255 Primary Healthcare Centres are being upgraded to Level 2 status, with over 174 already completed, bringing quality care closer to rural populations. The water sector received massive injection, raising capacity utilisation significantly within months. Education has seen interventions such as clearing foreign tuition fees for state-sponsored students, while housing schemes like the Qatar Sanabil and Renewed Hope programmes are delivering affordable homes. Bold projects such as the Kaima Smart City, attracting over $700 million in investment, signal confidence in Kaduna’s future. These efforts align with budget priorities allocating 25 per cent each to education and infrastructure/rural transformation, alongside 15 per cent to health and 11 per cent to agriculture. By opening up communities and stimulating economic activities, the administration is laying foundations for sustainable prosperity.

What makes Uba Sani’s achievements particularly compelling is their interconnectedness. Security has enabled infrastructure rollout and economic revival; unity has ensured that development benefits all segments of society. In just under three years, Kaduna has transitioned from a hotspot of violence to a model of stability, attracting investments and earning national acclaim. This is the type of leadership contemporary Nigeria desperately needs: one that is resilient yet compassionate, decisive yet inclusive, and focused on measurable outcomes rather than political expediency. At a time when many governors grapple with inherited crises, Uba Sani has shown that with courage, collaboration, and a clear vision, states can overcome adversity and chart a path to progress.

The 2026 Governor of the Year Award is, therefore, more than recognition of past successes; it is a call to sustain and scale these gains. As Mallam Maiyaki affirmed, the administration remains committed to consolidating peace, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. For Kaduna State and indeed Nigeria, Uba Sani’s leadership offers a blueprint— proof that impactful, people-centred governance can heal divisions, secure lives, and build a prosperous future.

  Ambali, a public affairs commentator and Good Governance Advocate, writes from Kaduna, Kaduna State