Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has sought deeper federal support to address worsening security challenges in parts of the state, using a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to push for stronger collaboration between Kano and the Federal Government.
The meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, provided the Kano governor an opportunity to brief the president on critical issues affecting the state, particularly insecurity in some local government areas, infrastructure gaps, and the need for sustained federal–state partnership.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Yusuf raised concerns over rising criminal activity in some communities and stressed that recent incidents underscore the urgency of coordinated national action. He specifically referenced the tragic killing of a housewife and her children, describing it as a painful reminder of the human cost of insecurity and the need to strengthen security architecture at all levels.
The governor outlined steps already taken by the Kano State Government to enhance safety, including the operations of the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps, which he said has been supporting conventional security agencies through community-based surveillance and intelligence gathering. Yusuf called for closer operational cooperation between the neighbourhood watch and federal security institutions to improve response time and effectiveness.
Beyond security, Yusuf presented Kano’s broader development agenda, linking peace and stability to economic growth and social development. He argued that sustainable security can only be achieved when communities have access to infrastructure, jobs, and basic services, noting that insecurity often thrives in areas with limited economic opportunities.
In this context, the governor highlighted several planned and ongoing infrastructure projects, describing them as critical to unlocking Kano’s economic potential. He lauded President Tinubu for the Federal Government’s intervention on the Wujuwuju Road, calling it a strategic project capable of boosting commerce, easing transportation, and creating jobs across the state.
President Tinubu, according to sources, welcomed the briefing and assured Yusuf of the Federal Government’s commitment to working with Kano State to address security challenges and promote sustainable development. He reaffirmed the administration’s focus on protecting lives and property while supporting subnational governments in delivering dividends of democracy.
The meeting is seen as part of broader efforts to strengthen federal–state cooperation in tackling security threats, particularly in states facing complex social and economic pressures. Analysts say such engagements are crucial to ensuring alignment between national security strategies and local realities, as Nigeria continues to confront evolving security challenges.
Security, Development Dominate Gov Yusuf’s Closed-Door Talks with Tinubu
