Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has revealed that he took over a state with strong potential but faced serious security issues, infrastructure deficits, and social challenges that needed urgent intervention.
He made this known during a workshop for senior government officials organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) as part of the Nigeria Public Relations Week, Croc City 2026, held in Kaduna.
Addressing participants, including commissioners, special advisers, counsellors, and permanent secretaries, the governor stated that ‘’Kaduna is not where it was. Kaduna is by far a better place today, and even more exciting is the fact that Kaduna is on the move and set to do even greater things and attain higher heights.’’
Sani explained that his administration recognised early that minor adjustments would not deliver meaningful progress, stressing that governance needed a structured and disciplined transformation. He added that his government ensured that vision translates into measurable outcomes.
‘’We institutionalised a performance framework built around Key Performance Indicators, ensuring that every ministry, department, and agency operates with clarity of purpose and accountability of outcome,’’ he said.
The governor outlined seven strategic pillars guiding his administration, including security, infrastructure, institutional strengthening, trade and investment, agriculture, human capital development, and citizen engagement. He described them as ‘’interconnected levers, designed to function as a coherent system; each reinforcing the other, each contributing to a broader objective: the transformation of Kaduna State into a secure, prosperous, and inclusive society.’’
He emphasised the importance of security, noting that ‘’farmers cannot cultivate their land, businesses cannot invest, and communities cannot thrive’’ without it.
Sani said his government collaborated with security agencies to establish new military bases in high-risk areas such as Giwa, Birnin Gwari, and southern Kaduna, while also improving mobility with operational vehicles and motorcycles.
‘’We strengthened mobility and response through the deployment of over 150 operational vehicles and 500 motorcycles to security agencies. In our urban centres, we constituted a Joint Task Force that has significantly reduced incidents of street crime and banditry generally,’’ he added.
On agricultural recovery, the governor disclosed that over 20,000 hectares of farmland had been reclaimed, enabling farmers to return to work, while more than 1,000 displaced persons had been resettled and over 117,000 others supported.
He also highlighted the establishment of a forensic laboratory and the Kaduna Incident Report Centre, noting that early warning systems are now in place to address potential threats.
Sani said although progress is ongoing, ‘’security is improving, confidence is returning, and economic activity is gradually expanding in areas that were once considered inaccessible. All of this is encapsulated in what we now call the Kaduna Peace Model.’’
In education, the governor noted that 736 classrooms had been built, over 1,200 renovated, 10,000 teachers recruited, and more than 33,000 personnel trained.
He added that ‘’one of our most significant achievements has been the reduction in the number of out-of-school children: from approximately 550,000 to 187,720 within two years.’’
According to him, efforts are also being made to align education with modern economic demands through vocational and technical training initiatives.
In the health sector, Sani said 255 primary healthcare centres had been upgraded, 23 centres of excellence established, and a 300-bed specialist hospital delivered to improve access to advanced medical care.
On infrastructure, he disclosed that about 150 road projects covering over 1,300 kilometres are underway across all local government areas to boost connectivity and economic activities.
The governor further revealed that agricultural funding had increased significantly, with fertiliser distribution and insurance schemes supporting farmers, while agro-industrial zones are being developed to promote value-added production.
He added that Kaduna has attracted investments worth over $743 million between 2023 and 2025, with a pipeline of about $2.77 billion, bringing total investment prospects to over $3.5 billion.
Sani also highlighted social inclusion efforts, including the opening of over 2.5 million bank accounts for underserved citizens and the disbursement of targeted financial support.
He noted that the state’s free CNG mass transit scheme has benefited more than 1.4 million passengers, easing transportation costs.
The governor assured that ‘’through Project 255, we are guaranteeing ₦100 million in public investment to each ward, ensuring that development reaches every community; urban and rural alike.’’