Tinubu Hails Kano Gov Yusuf at 63, Praises Transformative Leadership

Kano—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf ahead of his 63rd birthday on January 5, commending his exemplary integrity, modesty, humility, and unwavering dedication to public service.

In a State House press release issued Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu spotlighted Yusuf’s transformative governance in Kano, a northern stronghold of progressive politics. The President linked Yusuf’s administration to the enduring vision of the late Mallam Aminu Kano, the iconic advocate for grassroots empowerment and relief for the “Talakawas”—the common folk.

Yusuf, born on January 5, 1963, in Kano Municipality, ascended to the governorship in 2023 under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) banner. His March 2023 election victory, upheld by the Supreme Court after initial legal battles, marked a return to power for the Kwankwasiyya movement. Previously, as Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transport from 2011 to 2015 under former Governor Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, Yusuf honed his expertise in infrastructure—skills now fueling Kano’s urban renaissance.

Tinubu specifically lauded Yusuf’s ambitious urban renewal drive, including the construction of critical bridges, expansive road networks, and a flagship pledge to deliver five kilometers of roads in each of Kano’s 44 local government areas. Recent reports confirm over 100 kilometers of intra-city roads completed, alongside eight major flyovers and underpasses underway, aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion in Nigeria’s second-largest city.

The President also highlighted Yusuf’s bold declaration of a state of emergency in education, backed by a N10 billion intervention fund in 2024. This has yielded dramatic results: Kano students surged from 15th to 3rd place in the 2025 National Examinations Council (NECO) rankings, with pass rates climbing significantly. “Governor Yusuf’s leadership experience, particularly his years as commissioner managing strategic portfolios, has prepared him for the infrastructural changes now witnessed in the state,” Tinubu remarked.

These strides, the President noted, resonate with Kano’s progressive heritage, blending modest service with tangible development for the masses.

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Tinubu prayed for Yusuf’s long life and continued years of impactful leadership, wishing him robust health to sustain Kano’s momentum.

Yusuf’s tenure has not been without challenges, including a brief 2023 sacking by the Appeal Court (overturned by the Supreme Court) and navigating NNPP’s internal dynamics. Yet, his focus remains on human capital: free education initiatives, healthcare upgrades, and youth empowerment programs, positioning Kano as a model for northern development.

As Yusuf marks this milestone, allies and observers anticipate further consolidation of his reforms amid Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.