Gov. Yusuf Honoured As African Governor Of The Year 2025 For Good Governance
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has been honoured as the African Governor of the Year for Good Governance at the 14th African Leadership Magazine (ALM) Persons of the Year 2025 Award ceremony.
The ceremony was held in Casablanca, Morocco, when former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Led Other Leaders to Celebrate African Personalities of the Year.
This is contained in a joint statement issued by the governor’s Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on behalf of media aides of other African leaders at the event held at Marriot Hotel, Casablanca.
Dawakin Tofa said the honour was in recognition of Governor Yusuf’s exceptional leadership in promoting transparency, accountability and inclusive governance.
He said the governor’s reforms in education, infrastructure, healthcare and economic development had positioned Kano State as “a model of good governance in Africa.”
Represented by his Special Adviser on State Affairs, Alhaji Usman Bala, a former Head of Service of the State, the governor dedicated the award to the people of the state, emphasizing their pivotal role in driving progress by the present administration.
According to the African Leadership Magazine, under Governor Yusuf’s leadership, Kano had achieved significant milestones, including allocating over 31 per cent of the state budget to education, sponsoring postgraduate students abroad, and implementing technology-driven governance solutions.
“Governor Yusuf’s commitment to good governance has also earned him national and international accolades, which include the Governor of The Year Award On Education by the New Telegraph Newspapers, Most Pensioners Friendly Governor of The Year Award by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and Teachers Friendly Governor of The Year Award by the Nigeria Union of Teachers,” the governor’s spokesperson said.
He said President Andry Rejoelina of Madagascar and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja of Uganda also received African Leadership Awards at the event.
The ALM editorial board, he said, also commended Governor Yusuf’s efforts which “exemplifies the transformative power of leadership in Africa.”
He also said that during the event, Governor Yusuf’s representatives participated in the Countries & State Governments Investment Opportunities Showcase, highlighting Kano’s potential for investment in key sectors like renewable energy, technology and agribusiness.
Other distinguished honorees at the event included President Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (Uganda), Former President Dr Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania), Lefoko Maxwell Moagi (Former Minister of Minerals and Energy, Botswana) and Mustafa Y. Shek (Director General, National Communication Authority, Somalia).
The rest were: Ireneu Camacho (Chairman, Board of Directors, Enapor SA-Portos de Cabo Verde), Arch. Professor Barnabas Nawangwe (Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Uganda), Paul Mapfumo (Vice Chancellor, University of Zimbabwe), Monique Gieskes (CEO, Plantations Et Tuileries Du Congo), Israel Degfa (President, Kerchanshe Trading Plc, Ethiopia) and Mohammed Goni Alkali (Managing Director/CEO, North East Development Commission, Nigeria).
According to Dawakin Tofa, Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his dedication to ethical leadership, stating, “Good governance is the foundation of sustainable development. We will continue to uphold transparency, accountability, and policies that uplift our people.”
The Kano delegation at the event was led by the Special Adviser on State Affairs Alhaji Usman Bala, Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Aisha Lawan Saji, Director General Kano Investment Promotion Agency, Nazir Halliru, Managing Director, Kano Agricultural Supply Company Kabir, Sani Yakubu and Director General Media and Publicity, Sunusi Bature DawakinTofa.
