 KANO — The Kano State Government has mounted a strong defense of its Public Financial Management (PFM) record, dismissing recent criticisms alleging lack of expertise and financial inefficiency as misleading and based on outdated data.
In a statement issued by the Honorable Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, Dr. Ismail Danmaraya, the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf clarified its fiscal position, urging critics and public commentators to base their evaluations on verifiable data rather than selective interpretations.
1. Addressing Data Inconsistencies
Dr. Danmaraya pointed out a critical flaw in the negative assessment circulating in the public space. He noted that while critics framed their analysis around governance between 2020 and 2025, the data relied upon was actually drawn from 2017 to 2022—a period that predates the current administration.
“Drawing conclusions about the performance of an administration based on data from a completely different period creates a misleading narrative and deprives the public of an accurate picture of current realities,” Danmaraya stated.
2. Core Pillars of Kano’s PFM Performance (2023 – Date)
Highlighting the state’s adherence to internationally recognized public finance standards set by institutions such as the World Bank, the IMF, and the Open Government Partnership (OGP), the Ministry of Finance outlined key transparency milestone disclosures currently available in the public domain:
- Timely Audited Financial Statements: Kano State has published its Audited Financial Statements, Auditor-General’s Reports, and Citizen Accountability Reports for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- Specialized Sector Audits: Beyond basic financial audits, performance audit reports covering key service delivery areas—such as the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Primary Healthcare sector—have been made public.
- Regular Budget Implementation Tracking:Â Quarterly budget performance reports covering 2023 through 2026 are routinely published via official web portals managed by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Budget.
- Citizens’ Budget Integration:Â Simplified Citizens’ Budget Documents are published annually to ensure non-technical citizens can track public spending priorities.
3. External Validations and Institutional Awards (2024 – 2026)
The statement also referenced several local and international recognitions conferred on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Kano State Government as external validation of institutional reforms:
| Year | Award / Recognition | Awarding Body / Platform | Core Area of Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Vanguard Governor of the Year | Vanguard Newspapers | Education, Healthcare & Governance |
| 2024 | Pillar of Nation Building Award | Council of Civil Society Organizations | Infrastructure & Human Capital |
| 2025 | African Good Governance Award | African Governance Forum (Morocco) | Institutional Reforms & Public Service |
| 2025 | African Governor of the Year | African Leadership Magazine | Leadership & Sectoral Outcomes |
| 2025 | Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service (NEAPS) | Federal Government of Nigeria | Public Service Performance |
| 2026 | BusinessDay Governor of the Year | BusinessDay Media | Economic Development & Investment |
| 2026 | Good Governance Award | Coalition of Civil Society Organizations | Transparency & Citizen Engagement |
4. Substantive Metrics Over Accolades
Despite the growing list of awards, Dr. Danmaraya emphasized that the administration places far greater weight on objective, measurable indicators than on ceremonial recognitions.
“International public finance standards place far greater weight on measurable governance indicators—such as budget accessibility, procurement disclosures, and published audit reports—than on awards. On these exact indicators, available evidence demonstrates that Kano State has made substantial progress,” he concluded.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to open governance, inviting civil society organizations, policy researchers, and the media to independently verify its performance through the open portals of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning and Budget, and the Office of the Auditor-General of Kano State.
