Yusuf Bags The Sun Governor of the Year Award, Dedicates Honour to Kano Residents
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been honoured with The Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year Award in recognition of his achievements in governance and public service delivery.
The recognition was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
The award was presented at a colourful ceremony held at Eko Hotels in Lagos, where notable government officials, political leaders and dignitaries from across Nigeria gathered to celebrate outstanding public office holders. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu presented the award, which was received on behalf of Governor Yusuf by Alhaji Abdulkareem A. Zaura (A.A. Zaura).
Governor Yusuf was honoured alongside his counterparts from Zamfara and Cross River States, who were also recognised for their contributions to governance and development in their respective states.
The event also featured the recognition of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who was named Humanitarian Senator of the Year for his contributions to humanitarian causes and social development.
Speaking during the acceptance of the award, Zaura described the recognition as a strong motivation for Governor Yusuf to sustain and intensify efforts in delivering quality and people-centred governance in Kano State. He noted that the honour reflected the governor’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated state leaders due to his administration’s policies and visible development initiatives.
Zaura highlighted that Governor Yusuf received at least five major education-related awards in 2025 alone, including the Teacher-Friendly Governor of the Year award conferred by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). He added that the governor also earned commendations from prominent media organisations, including Leadership, Blueprint and New Telegraph newspapers.
He further noted that the governor was honoured as Labour-Friendly Governor of the Year and Pensioners-Friendly Governor of the Year following the clearance of over ₦27 billion in outstanding pension and gratuity liabilities inherited by the administration.
According to Zaura, Governor Yusuf also made history by becoming the first governor in Nigeria to implement the new ₦71,000 minimum wage, describing the move as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and strengthening the state’s labour sector.
The delegation that represented the governor at the ceremony included former Kano State Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba; former Head of Service, Usman Bala; Special Adviser on Information, Ibrahim Adam; Director General, Asma’u Jibrila; and the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
Governor Yusuf dedicated the award to the people of Kano State, expressing appreciation for their continued support, cooperation and prayers. He assured residents that his administration would remain focused on delivering more democratic dividends and accelerating socio-economic development across the state.