CSOs Split Over Jigawa Govt’s N3.5bn Investment in Kano

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
A heated debate is brewing in Jigawa State over the government’s decision to invest over ₦3.5 billion in constructing 1,000 commercial shops in neighboring Kano State, with civil society organizations (CSOs) sharply divided on the matter.
While some civil society groups describe the investment as a strategic move to boost the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR), others argue it is a misplaced priority that undermines pressing development needs within Jigawa.
At a press briefing held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Dutse, the President of the Civil Society Coalition on Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution (CSCSPCR), Muhammad Musbahu Basirka, voiced strong support for the initiative. He said the decision followed extensive consultations with financial experts, community leaders, and other key stakeholders.
“After careful analysis, we believe the government has taken a responsible and strategic step. Developing commercial properties in Kano’s high-traffic phone market will offer consistent and sustainable revenue for Jigawa State,” Basirka said.
He added that the land used for the project rightfully belongs to Jigawa, having been inherited after the state’s creation from the old Kano State in 1991.
Basirka urged citizens to rally behind the initiative. “This is a golden opportunity to diversify Jigawa’s revenue base. I appeal to all sons and daughters of Jigawa to support this bold move with unity and shared vision.”
However, not all CSOs are on board.
The Exceptional Leadership and Integrity Promotions Initiative (ELIP-Initiative), a non-governmental organization focused on public financial accountability, has rejected the project outright. In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Isah Mustapha, the group criticized the Namadi-led administration for planning such a large-scale investment outside the state.
“We strongly recommend that instead of spending over ₦3 billion on shops in Kano, the government should invest in sectors within Jigawa that harness the state’s unique economic strengths and generate local jobs,” Mustapha said.
The group also criticized other state spending plans, including funding for extra lessons for foreign medical students, calling for a more people-centered budgeting approach.
As the controversy continues, the debate underscores growing tensions over governance priorities, fiscal prudence, and the delicate balance between strategic investment and local development.