In a historic achievement, Kano State has climbed from the 35th position to 4th place in Nigeria’s 2025 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking, marking one of the fastest and most remarkable improvements ever recorded in the country’s environmental governance history.
According to a statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin, the milestone reflects the visionary leadership of Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, who has made environmental sustainability and climate resilience a central focus of his administration. The statement noted that the government has implemented wide-ranging reforms and initiatives to protect the environment, promote renewable energy, and strengthen climate adaptation across the state. These include the Kano State Climate Change Policy, renewable energy deployment in public institutions, urban greening and beautification projects under the Urban Renewal Programme, as well as large-scale afforestation and erosion control interventions.
Representing the Governor at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahiru Hashim, said the recognition underscores Kano’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development and responsible environmental management. At the event, Samantha Harrison, First Secretary for Climate Diplomacy at the British High Commission, Abuja, presented the certificate of recognition to the Kano State Government for its outstanding progress in climate governance.
Governor Yusuf expressed deep appreciation to the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Department of Climate Change for their continued partnership and leadership in strengthening subnational climate governance. He also commended the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, and the UK-FCDO Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) for their collaborative support in driving Kano’s environmental transformation and sustainability agenda.
