Kano State

Abba Kabir Yusuf (born 5 January 1963) has served as Governor of Kano State since May 2023. Before his election he served as Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport under Governor Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso and was a long-time political aide to him. Elected under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), he moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in January 2026.

Kano State was created on 27 May 1967 from the former Northern Region, one of the original 12 states formed under General Yakubu Gowon. Its history runs far deeper, though: Kano city's walled old town traces to the Hausa Kingdom of Kano, later becoming seat of the Kano Emirate after the Fulani jihad of 1804-08. By the 2006 census, Kano was Nigeria's most populous state at 9,401,288 residents; contemporary unofficial estimates run considerably higher, reflecting the same census disputes seen across the country.

Kano's old walled city is one of West Africa's most significant historic urban centres, with architecture and markets dating back centuries.

• Kano City Walls
• Gidan Rumfa (Emir's Palace)
• Kurmi Market
• Dala Hill
• Kano Central Mosque

Employs a majority of Kano's population, historically anchored by groundnut production (the famous 'groundnut pyramids') alongside grains and livestock, supported by irrigation from the Tiga Dam.

Groundnut · Guinea corn · Millet · Maize · Rice · Cowpeas

Nigeria's second-largest non-oil economy and the commercial hub of the north, with a large manufacturing base and one of the country's highest concentrations of small and medium enterprises.

Leather & tanning · Textiles · Agro-processing · Trade & commerce · Manufacturing

Bayero University Kano · Kano State Polytechnic