How Uba Sani Won The Sun Governor of the Year Award, Commissioner

The Kaduna State Government said Governor Uba Sani won The Sun Governor of the Year Award for 2026 due to his work in peace building, infrastructure, healthcare, education and inclusive governance.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, shared this information after accepting the award for Mr Sani at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, over the weekend.

Mr Maiyaki mentioned that the governor received the award for what he called people-centred leadership. He also highlighted the governor's efforts to restore public trust in government institutions and improve the welfare of residents.

Since taking office in May 2023, Mr Sani has focused on policies to tackle long-standing development challenges, boost public accountability and reach underserved communities.

Peacebuilding and security

According to the commissioner, one of the key initiatives of the administration is the Kaduna Peace Model. This model combines security measures with dialogue, community involvement and development programs.

Mr Maiyaki noted that this initiative has helped bring stability back to areas that previously faced unrest, allowing people to return to farming and other economic activities.

He stated that over 500,000 hectares of farmland have been recovered, and schools, healthcare facilities and markets that were closed due to insecurity have now reopened.

The peacebuilding effort is crucial for Kaduna, which has faced years of banditry, kidnapping and communal violence, especially in its southern and central districts.

Restoring security in rural areas is also vital for farming, as insecurity has disrupted agriculture, forced people to flee and threatened food supplies.

Roads and infrastructure

Regarding infrastructure, Mr Maiyaki said the administration has started around 150 road projects covering about 1,400 kilometres in the state.

He added that these projects include work in 12 local government areas that had not seen road construction in nearly 15 years.

The government sees the road program as a way to improve rural connectivity, help move agricultural products and increase access to markets, schools and healthcare services.

Mr Sani’s government is also focused on urban renewal and expanding infrastructure to support economic activities in Kaduna State.

Healthcare and education

In healthcare, the commissioner mentioned the completion of the 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital, revitalisation of 17 general hospitals and upgrading of 255 primary healthcare centres to Level 2.

These actions are meant to make medical services more accessible and reduce pressure on major referral hospitals.

Education is another key area for the administration. Mr Maiyaki explained that the government has continued to allocate 25 percent of its annual budget to education, showing its commitment to improving access and infrastructure.

This investment comes amid ongoing challenges in Kaduna’s education sector, such as out-of-school children, poor learning facilities and teacher shortages.

Agriculture and public transportation

The commissioner also reported that the state government has provided 1,400 truckloads of fertiliser to 450,000 smallholder farmers to boost agricultural production and enhance food security.

He said this effort supports rural livelihoods and helps farmers deal with rising production costs.

In public transportation, Mr Maiyaki revealed that the introduction of 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses has enabled over five million passenger trips in 15 months.

He added that this initiative has saved commuters an estimated N5.2 billion. The CNG transport program is also part of the state's efforts to provide cheaper transport options while reducing reliance on petrol-powered vehicles.

Other development priorities

Beyond the highlighted projects, Uba Sani’s administration is also working on social welfare and economic inclusion programs. This includes support for vulnerable residents, pensioners, women and small businesses.

The government is also promoting investment in agriculture, industrial development and renewable energy as part of its broader economic strategy.

Social intervention programs have included help for widows, housing projects and efforts to improve economic opportunities for disadvantaged communities.

But the success and long-term impact of these programs will depend on how sustainable they are, how they are distributed and the measurable improvements in the lives of residents.

Award dedicated to Kaduna residents

Mr Maiyaki called The Sun award a motivation for the administration to keep pushing forward in development and accountability.

He mentioned that Mr Sani dedicated this recognition to the people of Kaduna State. Their support and cooperation continue to inspire his government.

The commissioner quoted the governor, stating that he will strengthen achievements in peace, security, infrastructure, education, healthcare and other vital areas.

Mr Sani, who was a senator for Kaduna Central, became governor on May 29, 2023, after Nasir El-Rufai.

His administration focuses on inclusive governance, rural development and peacebuilding, especially in areas that have faced prolonged insecurity and neglect of infrastructure.

The Sun Governor of the Year Award adds to the accolades received by the governor since he took office. Yet, the true measure of his administration’s performance will be how much its policies improve security, public services and living standards for the people of Kaduna.