Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has announced new opportunities in school feeding, healthcare, and foreign investments for the state following Kano’s participation at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) High-Level Week in New York.
The governor, who was represented at the event by the Emir of Kano, His Highness Khalifah Muhammad Sanusi II, and the Director-General of the Kano State Investment Promotion Agency (Kan-Invest), Muhammad Naziru Halliru, said the engagements created fresh avenues that will boost human development and economic growth across Kano.
One of the major outcomes was the discussion on school feeding programmes. Emir Sanusi met with Kenyan entrepreneur and founder of Food4Education, Wawira Njiru, to explore collaboration aimed at expanding school feeding in Kano. The talks also involved the possibility of accessing African Development Bank funds already earmarked for African school feeding initiatives. Governor Yusuf explained that such a move was vital in tackling malnutrition among pupils, keeping children in school, and raising academic performance. He stressed that investing in children’s nutrition was an investment in Kano’s future, since well-fed children are more likely to stay focused in class and become productive citizens.
The delegation also highlighted Kano’s healthcare needs and reforms during engagements with global stakeholders. At the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers Event, the team presented Kano’s challenges in maternal health, immunisation, and access to primary healthcare. Governor Yusuf emphasised that forging global partnerships in the health sector was crucial to addressing service delivery gaps, especially in rural communities. He explained that the administration was already working to expand health facilities, ensure steady drug supply, and recruit more healthcare professionals to meet the growing needs of the people.
On the economic front, Kano showcased its vast investment opportunities at the Global Compact: Unstoppable Africa and the Cavista Holdings/Corporate Council on Africa Summit. The state presented itself as a potential hub for global investors by stressing its market size, agricultural resources, and skilled workforce. Yusuf revealed that the state government would soon unveil a five-year multi-sectoral investment strategic plan that would serve as a roadmap for attracting foreign direct investment, expanding job opportunities, and increasing internally generated revenue. He declared that Kano, being Nigeria’s most populous state, was positioning itself as the leading investment hub not just in Northern Nigeria but in the entire country.
The governor commended Emir Sanusi for representing Kano with distinction at UNGA80. He said the emir’s international recognition, experience in economic matters, and global contacts gave the state an advantage during its engagements. Sanusi, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and a respected voice on financial inclusion, was well received at the various side events, where he reinforced Kano’s commitment to reforms and global cooperation. Yusuf described the emir as a strong ambassador for the state whose presence elevated the quality of the conversations held with international partners.
According to the governor, Kano’s participation in UNGA80 is in line with his administration’s broader vision of linking the state to global networks of development, investment, and innovation. He maintained that Kano could not rely solely on internal resources to meet its pressing challenges in education, healthcare, and the economy. Instead, it must embrace global partnerships that can provide funding, technical expertise, and new ideas. He noted that the results of these efforts were already showing in the interest expressed by international partners and organisations that engaged with the Kano delegation.
Observers believe Kano’s involvement at UNGA80 could prove to be a turning point if the discussions lead to concrete outcomes. The possible partnership with Food4Education, for example, could have a major impact on thousands of children in public schools by improving access to meals and encouraging attendance. Similarly, the state’s pitch at international investment summits may attract new industries that would create jobs, stimulate commerce, and reduce poverty.
Yusuf assured the people of Kano that his administration would not allow the outcomes of UNGA80 to end as mere conference appearances. He pledged that all commitments made in New York would be followed up and converted into tangible results for the benefit of the state. He added that his government was not interested in attending global meetings for photo opportunities but was determined to bring back solutions, partnerships, and investments that would directly improve lives.
