Reflections on Uba Sani’s Three years of Transformational  Leadership in Kaduna

Tahir Ahmad Saliu

Three years ago, when Senator Uba Sani was sworn in as Governor of Kaduna State on May 29, 2023, he inherited a state facing challenges far beyond the ordinary demands of governance. Kaduna was weighed down by insecurity, fiscal pressures, economic disruption, and deep social divisions.

Banditry, kidnapping, and violent attacks had become recurring threats across many communities. Thousands of farmers had abandoned their fields, rural economies were struggling, and public confidence in government had diminished. Yet beyond these visible problems lay an even greater challenge: the erosion of trust among the people.

Years of ethno-religious tensions had left deep scars on Kaduna’s social fabric. Communities increasingly retreated into identities defined by ethnicity, religion, and geography. Political discourse often deepened divisions rather than building consensus. In many respects, Kaduna appeared trapped in a cycle of insecurity, mistrust, and uncertainty.

Many expected the new governor to spend his tenure explaining away inherited difficulties. Others predicted years of political recrimination and blame. Instead, Uba Sani chose a different path. He refused to become a prisoner of circumstance and embraced the harder task of rebuilding confidence and restoring hope.

Rather than dwelling on the failures of the past, he focused on the possibilities of the future. Rather than governing through resentment, he pursued reconciliation. Rather than exploiting existing divisions, he sought to heal them.

His governing philosophy was captured in a statement that has since become synonymous with his administration: “We chose dialogue over division, inclusion over exclusion, compassion over bitterness, and service over propaganda.” Few political declarations have been reflected more consistently in governance outcomes.

Three years later, Kaduna’s transformation is visible not only in physical infrastructure but also in the renewed confidence of its people. Indeed, Governor Uba Sani’s greatest achievement may not be measured solely in roads, hospitals, or budgetary statistics. It may be found in the restoration of trust and the rebuilding of social harmony across one of Nigeria’s most diverse states.

When he assumed office, Kaduna remained burdened by longstanding ethno-religious fault lines. The old divisions between communities often shaped public perception and political engagement. Uba Sani consciously rejected that trajectory.

“My dear people, Kaduna State belongs to all of us. Our diversity is not a weakness; it is our greatest strength,” he declared.

Those words were more than political rhetoric; they became a governing principle. Across the state, development projects, social investments, and public interventions increasingly reflected a deliberate commitment to fairness and inclusivity. Communities that once felt excluded now see themselves as stakeholders in a common future.

The long-standing and politically charged divide between Kaduna North and Southern Kaduna has gradually lost some of its potency because the administration has consistently promoted what may be described as the politics of belonging. Inclusion has replaced exclusion as a central theme of governance.

This philosophy is perhaps most evident in the administration’s approach to security.

At the beginning of his tenure, insecurity represented one of Kaduna’s greatest challenges. Entire communities lived in fear. Agricultural activities declined. Markets suffered disruptions, and schools struggled to operate in affected areas.

Governor Sani understood that while security operations were necessary, sustainable peace required more than military action alone. Lasting stability, he argued, must rest on justice, fairness, opportunity, and mutual respect.

Working closely with security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders, and local stakeholders, the administration adopted a multidimensional peace-building strategy that addressed both security threats and their underlying causes. This gave birth to the phenomenal Kaduna Peace Model.

The results have been significant. Communities previously affected by violence are gradually regaining confidence. Farmers have returned to their fields, markets are thriving again, and schools that once faced disruptions have reopened. Across many parts of Kaduna, a sense of normalcy has returned.

The same commitment to long-term stability has shaped the administration’s management of public finances.

When Governor Sani assumed office, Kaduna faced substantial debt obligations that constrained development. The politically convenient option would have been to borrow more and postpone difficult decisions. Instead, the administration embraced fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and prudent financial management.

Through these measures, Kaduna reportedly repaid more than ₦90 billion in inherited obligations without contracting new loans. This achievement reflects a quality often overlooked in public leadership: restraint.

Effective governance is not simply about spending; it is about making sustainable choices. It requires balancing present demands with future responsibilities and prioritizing long-term stability over short-term popularity.

This culture of prudence has also strengthened transparency and accountability. Kaduna has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading states in governance reforms, earning national recognition for transparency and public accountability.

The administration’s emphasis on institutional governance has improved investor confidence, enhanced revenue collection, and strengthened public trust in government processes. Through reforms, digital innovation, and expanded revenue administration, Kaduna has significantly improved internally generated revenue, reducing dependence on external sources and creating a stronger foundation for sustainable development.

Agriculture has also become a cornerstone of the administration’s economic agenda.

Throughout history, prosperous societies have understood that food security is inseparable from economic security. Governor Uba Sani has repositioned agriculture from the margins of public policy to the centre of development planning.

When he assumed office, agriculture received only a small fraction of the state budget. Today, allocation to the sector exceeds ₦74 billion, representing about 14 percent of the budget and surpassing the Malabo Declaration benchmark.

Through the Tallafin Noma programme, thousands of farmers have received improved seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and mechanization support. More than 900 trucks of fertilizer have reportedly been distributed across the state’s 23 local government areas.

The administration’s vision extends beyond increasing farm output. Through the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone initiative and other strategic partnerships, Kaduna is positioning itself as a major hub for agricultural processing, value addition, and exports. The establishment of the African Quality Assurance Centre further strengthens efforts to ensure that local products meet international standards.

Equally significant has been the administration’s investment in human capital development. Governor Sani recognizes that the future belongs not merely to societies rich in natural resources but to those that invest in knowledge, skills, and innovation. This understanding explains the priority given to education.

With more than 25 per cent of the state budget consistently allocated to education, Kaduna has surpassed many international benchmarks. Schools have been built and upgraded, teachers recruited and trained, and learning opportunities expanded across the state.

One of the most notable outcomes has been the reduction in the number of out-of-school children in the state. This progress is critical because education remains one of the most powerful tools for breaking cycles of poverty and exclusion.

Beyond basic education, the administration has taken steps to prepare young people for the demands of a rapidly changing global economy. The establishment of Institutes of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Rigachikun, Samaru Kataf, and Soba reflects a forward-looking approach that emphasizes digital technology, renewable energy, technical skills, and entrepreneurship.

Infrastructure development has been another defining feature of the administration’s first three years.

Under Governor Uba Sani, approximately 150 road projects covering about 1,345 kilometres have been initiated across Kaduna’s 23 local government areas. This represents a significant shift in the distribution of infrastructure development.

Perhaps more importantly, every local government area is now experiencing either completed or ongoing road projects. Communities that previously saw little government presence are increasingly connected to economic opportunities through improved transport networks.

Among the flagship projects are the 35-kilometre Gadan Gayan-Gwaraji-Kujama Road and the ongoing Bagoma-Gagumi Road in Birnin Gwari, alongside numerous township roads, bridges, and rural access routes designed to support commerce and agricultural productivity.

The administration has also launched one of the most ambitious urban transportation initiatives in Northern Nigeria: the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT) system. The project is expected to improve mobility, reduce congestion, and support sustainable urban development.

Complementing the KBRT initiative is the construction of the Southern Terminal and plans for the Kaduna Light Rail Transit system, which enjoys Federal Government support. Together, these projects reflect a long-term vision of Kaduna as a modern transportation and commercial hub.

In the health sector, the administration has pursued an equally ambitious agenda.

Kaduna became the first state in Nigeria to upgrade all 255 Primary Healthcare Centres to Level II status, significantly improving access to healthcare services in both urban and rural communities.

The government has also embarked on the rehabilitation and equipping of general hospitals across the state while completing the long-abandoned 300-bed Specialist Hospital project initiated more than 16 years ago. These investments are strengthening healthcare delivery and expanding access to quality medical services.

Taken together, these achievements illustrate a broader philosophy of governance rooted in inclusion, accountability, prudence, and service.

This helps explain why Governor Uba Sani continues to enjoy growing political support across different sections of the state. His leadership has been defined less by political spectacle and more by steady, measurable progress.

When he accepted his recent endorsement for another term by all the registered members of the ruling APC in the state, he described it not as a personal victory but as a renewed covenant with the people of Kaduna State. That description captures the essence of his administration.

Three years after inheriting a state burdened by insecurity, social fragmentation, and fiscal strain, Uba Sani has succeeded in changing not only Kaduna’s condition but also its mood.

That, perhaps, is the true meaning of transformational leadership. And that is the enduring significance of Uba Sani’s first three years in office.

•Saliu, a journalist resides in Kawo, Kaduna