Ben Eguzozie
Kano is by far, one of Nigeria’s key subnational with significant economy worth more than N16.8 trillion. But currently this northern Nigerian economic behemoth has taken the backseat as governance under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf majors more on politics rather than policies of growth and development.
Based on late 2025 reports from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Kano’s GDP rose to N16.8 trillion in 2023, from N10.7 trillion in 2019. As a major commercial hub, the state’s economy is driven by services (which accounted for N9.0 trillion) and agriculture (contributed N5.4 trillion), and the industrial sector contributing N2.4 trillion to the state’s GDP in the year under review.
However, the governor’s APC-specific politics has tended to limit his commitment to other critical sectors of the state, major among which is the economy, to create engender growth and development, creating the needed employment.
For several months, the governor has displayed party disloyalty, with his body language eminently tilted away from the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), whose platform under the Kwanknasiya movement propelled him to the state executive seat, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with its despicable anti-people policies that have plunged Nigeria into its worst socioeconomic situation in history.
For sure, Governor Yusuf’s move has generated no small reaction from his cabinet members and supporters, including Yusuf Kofarmata, the state commissioner of tertiary education. Kofarmata described the governor’s action as a “departure from the political ideology that brought the current administration into office”.
Kofarmata announced his resignation in a statement issued on Sunday, saying the decision was taken in good faith and guided by his conscience.
“I hereby resign my appointment as commissioner and member of the Kano State Executive Council. I cannot continue to work under a government that has derailed from the ideology that brought it to power,” he said.
The former commissioner served in the ministry of tertiary education and later in the science, technology and innovation. He expressed appreciation to the leadership of NNPP, specifically acknowledging the support of NNPP’s national leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso and forbear of the Kwankwasiyya movement. Kofarmata’s resignation comes amid heightened political tension in Kano, a state also scarred by mounting insecurity by the Boko Haram insurgents and banditry.
Also, Governor Yusuf’s exit from NNPP has triggered off a wave of resignations and political realignments among government appointees and party officials.
Will Kano be able to weather the intricate political web that seemed to have blighted governance?
