By Seyi Odewale
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has again been recognized on the continental stage. He received the prestigious African Good Governance Award 2025 for his visionary leadership and commitment to people-centred governance.
This was contained in a statement issued by Governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa over the weekend.
The award was presented during a high-level ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, where the African Heritage Magazine celebrated distinguished African leaders and policy influencers for their excellence in governance, leadership, and public service.
Yusuf was honoured alongside prominent African figures, including Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda.
The award was presented to Governor Yusuf by the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, who was represented at the ceremony by the Ghanaian Minister of Culture and Tourism.
The recognition marks another significant milestone for Governor Yusuf, just days after he was named Governor of the Year (Education) by Leadership Newspaper and Governor of the Year (Good Governance) by Vanguard Newspaper in Nigeria on Friday, April 11, 2025.
After receiving the award, Governor Yusuf expressed deep appreciation to the organizers and reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive development.
He dedicated the honour to the people of Kano State, noting that the award reflects their support and the collective strides in education, healthcare, youth and women’s empowerment, infrastructure development, and civil service reform.
“This award is not just for me—for the people of Kano who entrusted me with leadership. It is a call to do more, to serve better, and to sustain the values of justice, equity, and good governance,” the Governor said.
The African Good Governance Award celebrates leaders who have demonstrated outstanding public service, institutional reforms, and impact-driven policies across the continent.
Governor Yusuf’s selection highlights the growing regional recognition of his reforms and developmental initiatives in Kano State.
He attended the ceremony with key delegation members, including senior government officials, aides, and representatives of the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Morocco.
It can be recalled that Governor Yusuf received the 2025 African Governor of the Year award from the African Leadership Magazine in February 2025, held in Casablanca, Morocco.
