By Bashir Bello

KANO — Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has been honored with the African Good Governance Award 2025, recognizing his visionary leadership and dedication to people-centered governance.

The award was presented at a high-level ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, organized by the African Heritage Magazine, celebrating distinguished African leaders for excellence in governance, leadership, and public service.

According to a statement from the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, the event featured notable honorees including Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda.

Governor Yusuf received the award from former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who was represented by Ghana’s Minister of Culture and Tourism.

This latest accolade comes on the heels of Governor Yusuf being named Governor of the Year (Education) by Leadership Newspaper, and Governor of the Year (Good Governance) by Vanguard Newspaper on April 11, 2025.

In his acceptance remarks, Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to the organizers and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive development.

“This award is not just for me—it is for the people of Kano who entrusted me with leadership. It is a call to do more, to serve better, and to uphold the values of justice, equity, and good governance,” he said.

He dedicated the award to the people of Kano State, noting that it reflects their support and the administration’s achievements in education, healthcare, youth and women empowerment, infrastructure development, and civil service reform.

The African Good Governance Award is given to leaders who have demonstrated exceptional public service, institutional reform, and policy impact across the continent.

Governor Yusuf attended the ceremony alongside senior members of his administration and representatives of Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in Morocco.

It is worth noting that Governor Yusuf also received the 2025 African Governor of the Year award from the African Leadership Magazine in February 2025, during a ceremony held in Casablanca, Morocco.