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By Emmanuel Sambo
When Uba Sani stood before senior public officials at the Nigeria Public Relations Week in Kaduna, his message was both reflective and assertive: Kaduna is no longer what it used to be. Beneath that declaration lies a broader story, one of deliberate reform, measured progress, and a governance philosophy anchored on inclusion, security, and institutional accountability. Since assuming office in 2023, Sani has sought to redraw Kaduna State’s trajectory, confronting inherited challenges while laying the foundation for long-term transformation.
To appreciate the scale of change he describes, one must first understand the condition he inherited. Kaduna, a state of immense historical and economic importance, had been weighed down by persistent insecurity, deep social fractures, and infrastructure deficits. Farming communities were displaced by violence, industries struggled with unreliable power and logistics, and human development indicators lagged behind expectations for a state of its stature. It was, in many ways, a paradox: rich in potential, yet constrained by systemic challenges.
Sani’s approach from the outset has been to treat governance as a system rather than a collection of isolated interventions. His articulation of a seven-pillar agenda, spanning security, agriculture, trade, infrastructure, human capital, institutional strengthening, and citizen engagement, reflects a structured attempt to address the state’s problems holistically. What distinguishes this framework is not merely its breadth, but its emphasis on interconnection. Each pillar reinforces the other, creating a governance ecosystem designed to deliver cumulative impact.
Perhaps the most immediate and visible area of intervention has been security. Kaduna’s security crisis, particularly in areas such as Birnin Gwari and Giwa, had long undermined economic activity and social cohesion. Sani’s administration has combined kinetic and non-kinetic strategies in response. The establishment of new military bases in high-risk zones, coupled with the deployment of over 150 operational vehicles and 500 motorcycles to security agencies, represents a clear commitment to strengthening the state’s defensive capacity.
Yet, beyond the hardware of security lies a more nuanced strategy. The institutionalisation of peace dialogues and the creation of local peace councils signal a recognition that lasting peace cannot be achieved through force alone. By prioritising rehabilitation and reintegration, especially through skills acquisition rather than financial inducements, the administration has attempted to address the root causes of conflict. The results, while still evolving, are notable: over 20,000 hectares of previously inaccessible farmland have been reclaimed, and farmers are gradually returning to productive activity.
This restoration of security has had a cascading effect on agriculture, a sector central to Kaduna’s economy. By significantly increasing the agricultural budget, from ₦1.48 billion in 2023 to over ₦74 billion, Sani has underscored the sector’s strategic importance. The distribution of over 900 trucks of fertiliser and the enrolment of more than 100,000 smallholder farmers into crop insurance schemes demonstrate a commitment to both productivity and risk management. These interventions are not merely about boosting output; they are about rebuilding confidence among rural communities that had long been trapped in cycles of fear and uncertainty.
Equally significant is the administration’s focus on human capital development. Kaduna’s education sector, once burdened by dilapidated infrastructure and a high number of out-of-school children, has witnessed substantial investment. The construction of 736 new classrooms and the renovation of over 1,200 existing ones are tangible indicators of progress. More importantly, the recruitment of 10,000 teachers and the training of over 33,000 education personnel in modern methodologies signal a shift toward quality, not just access.
The reduction in out-of-school children, from approximately 550,000 to 187,720 within two years, stands out as one of the administration’s most compelling achievements. It reflects a deliberate policy focus, combining infrastructure expansion with targeted social interventions. In a country where educational access remains a persistent challenge, this progress positions Kaduna as a case study in how political will and strategic planning can yield measurable outcomes.
Healthcare has also been a critical area of reform. By upgrading 255 Primary Healthcare Centres to Level-2 facilities and establishing 23 Centres of Excellence, one in each local government area, the administration has sought to decentralise and strengthen healthcare delivery. The addition of a 300-bed specialist hospital further enhances the state’s capacity to provide advanced medical services, reducing the need for costly referrals outside the state.
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Infrastructure development, meanwhile, has been approached as both an economic and social imperative. The initiation of approximately 150 road projects covering over 1,300 kilometres reflects a deliberate effort to connect rural production centres with urban markets. Improved road networks not only reduce travel time but also facilitate trade, enhance mobility, and stimulate local economies. Complementing this is the establishment of the first forensic laboratory in northern Nigeria, a move that strengthens institutional capacity in law enforcement and justice delivery.
Beyond physical infrastructure, Sani’s administration has placed considerable emphasis on governance reform. The introduction of performance frameworks across ministries, departments, and agencies, anchored on key performance indicators—marks a shift toward accountability and results-based management. This internal reorientation is significant, as it seeks to align bureaucratic processes with the broader goals of governance, ensuring that public institutions operate with clarity and purpose.
Economic growth under Sani has also been driven by an active engagement with the private sector. Between 2023 and 2025, the state facilitated 23 investments valued at over $743 million, spanning agriculture, manufacturing, and energy. These investments are not only indicators of investor confidence but also critical drivers of job creation and industrialisation. By creating an enabling environment for private sector participation, the administration has positioned Kaduna as a competitive destination for investment.
Social protection and financial inclusion form another pillar of this transformation narrative. The opening of over 2.5 million new bank accounts for underbanked citizens represents a significant step toward integrating more people into the formal economy. Coupled with the deployment of over ₦18 billion in targeted support to households, farmers, and small businesses, these measures reflect a commitment to inclusive growth. They ensure that the benefits of development are not confined to urban centres or elite groups but are distributed across the broader population.
What emerges from this personal account is a portrait of governance that is both pragmatic and ambitious. Sani’s emphasis on measurable outcomes, whether in security, education, agriculture, or infrastructure, suggests a leadership style that prioritises results over rhetoric. At the same time, his focus on inclusion, dialogue, and institutional strengthening indicates an awareness that sustainable development requires more than short-term fixes.
Of course, challenges remain. The scale of Kaduna’s transformation agenda means that progress will inevitably be uneven, and the sustainability of reforms will depend on continued political will and effective implementation. Yet, the trajectory is clear: a state that was once defined by its challenges is steadily redefining itself through deliberate policy choices and strategic investments.
In the final analysis, the story of Kaduna under Uba Sani is one of cautious optimism. It is a narrative that acknowledges the weight of the past while embracing the possibilities of the future. Whether in the classrooms being rebuilt, the farmlands being reclaimed, or the institutions being strengthened, the signs of transformation are visible.
And perhaps that is the most compelling takeaway from Sani’s own words: Kaduna is not just recovering, it is moving forward, with a renewed sense of purpose and a clearer vision of what it can become.
•Sambo writes from Kaduna State
