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By Khadijat Omawe
In societies where land is both livelihood and legacy, decisions about its ownership speak volumes about the values of those in power. In Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani’s recent decision to revoke land titles covering farmlands unlawfully taken from local farmers in Gadan Gayan, Igabi Local Government Area, is far more than an administrative action. It is a clear statement of intent: that governance must serve the people, respect the rule of law, and protect the vulnerable, not dispossess them.
The farmlands in question spread across Unguwar Mai Babban Doki, Unguwar Malamai, Dutsen Wakili, Unguwar Allah, Unguwar Manti and Unguwar Chindo along Jos Road, had reportedly been allocated to investors without proper approval or due process. Even more troubling, the original owners, mostly subsistence farmers, were displaced without compensation, stripping them not only of land but of dignity, income, and hope. For years, their grievances lingered unanswered, emblematic of a governance style that often privileged force and speed over fairness and consultation. Sani’s intervention marks a decisive break from that past.
By ordering the cancellation of the disputed land titles and directing that the farmlands be returned to their original owners, the governor demonstrated a rare blend of empathy, courage, and fidelity to due process. Importantly, his decision was not vindictive or arbitrary. Investors affected by the revocation were assured of alternative farmlands in other locations, underscoring a balanced approach that protects local communities while maintaining Kaduna State’s openness to legitimate investment. This is what people-first governance looks like in practice.
When the Director-General of the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), Dr. Bashir Garba Ibrahim, addressed residents of the affected communities, his message was clear: the government had listened, understood their hardship, and acted in the interest of justice. “The government has listened to your concerns and acted to ensure justice and fairness by returning your farmlands so you can continue your farming activities,” he said. For farmers whose voices had long been ignored, this acknowledgement was as powerful as the policy itself.
The spontaneous gratitude expressed by the farmers tells its own story. Their praise of Governor Sani was not partisan cheerleading; it was the relief of citizens who finally felt seen and protected by their government.
This episode fits squarely within the broader philosophy that has come to define Sani’s administration: governance anchored on the rule of law, consultation, and human dignity. Unlike the era immediately preceding his tenure, often criticised for its top-down decisions and aggressive implementation style—Uba Sani has consistently emphasised dialogue, inclusion, and fairness. His approach recognises that development imposed without consent can quickly become injustice, and that policies divorced from human impact ultimately erode trust.
The contrast is instructive. Under the previous administration, land acquisition and urban expansion were frequently pursued with little regard for the socio-economic consequences on local communities. While some projects were justified in the name of modernization, the process often left bitterness in its wake, fuelling perceptions of alienation and state overreach. Governor Sani has sought to heal those wounds, not by abandoning development, but by insisting that development must be lawful, consultative, and humane.
Beyond land matters, this people-centred orientation is evident across multiple sectors of his administration.
In security, Sani has prioritised restoring trust between the state and local communities, especially in conflict-prone and rural areas. His strategy recognises that intelligence, cooperation, and peace-building cannot thrive where citizens feel marginalised or victimised by state action. By engaging traditional leaders, religious groups, and community stakeholders, his administration has worked to address insecurity not just as a military challenge but as a social one rooted in trust deficits and economic vulnerability.
In infrastructure development, the governor has adopted a more measured and inclusive approach, ensuring that projects respond to genuine community needs. Rural road rehabilitation, for instance, has been framed not merely as a construction activity but as an enabler of livelihoods, connecting farmers to markets, reducing isolation, and improving access to healthcare and education. Unlike past practices where bulldozers often arrived before consultations, the current administration places greater emphasis on stakeholder engagement and impact assessment.
Social interventions under Governor Sani further reinforce this philosophy. Programmes targeting youths, women, and smallholder farmers are designed to empower rather than displace. From skills acquisition initiatives to agricultural support schemes, the administration’s focus has been on strengthening local capacity and resilience. This stands in sharp contrast to policies that inadvertently widened inequality by favouring large-scale interests at the expense of grassroots livelihoods.
The decision to return farmlands in Gadan Gayan is therefore not an isolated act of benevolence; it is part of a coherent governance pattern. It reflects a belief that the legitimacy of government flows from its willingness to correct wrongs, even when those wrongs were institutionalised under previous administrations. It also demonstrates respect for the rule of law: land titles improperly granted cannot be allowed to stand, no matter how powerful the beneficiaries.
Equally significant is the signal this sends to investors. Far from discouraging investment, Sani’s action actually strengthens Kaduna State’s investment climate by reinforcing predictability and legality. Serious investors value clarity, lawful processes, and social stability. By showing that land acquisition must follow due process and respect host communities, the government is laying the foundation for more sustainable, conflict-free investment.
At its core, the Gadan Gayan episode is about trust, which is the indispensable currency of governance. Trust that the government will listen. Trust that laws will protect, not oppress. Trust that development will uplift, not uproot. In returning farmlands to their rightful owners, Governor Sani has made a powerful deposit into that trust account.
In a time when citizens across Nigeria are increasingly sceptical of authority, such actions matter. They remind people that leadership can be corrective, compassionate, and courageous. They also underscore a simple but profound truth: governance is not about how much land you can acquire or how fast you can build, but about how many lives you can improve without injustice.
Sani’s decision will likely be remembered as a defining moment of his tenure—a moment when the state chose people over expediency, justice over convenience, and dialogue over imposition. For the farmers of Gadan Gayan, it means restored livelihoods. For Kaduna State, it represents a step toward healing, equity, and a more humane model of governance.
• Omawe lives in Kaduna
