15th October 2025
Kano State has achieved a major milestone in environmental governance, climbing from the 35th position in 2024 to 4th place in Nigeria’s 2025 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking.
Kano’s rise in the ranking comes less than a year after the governor signed a series of executive directives on climate resilience, waste management, and renewable energy, reforms that have begun to reshape the state’s environmental outlook.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa, who described the leap as “a testament to the visionary leadership and clear environmental direction of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”
According to him, the achievement reflects the governor’s determination to make environmental sustainability and climate resilience central to the state’s development agenda.
He added that, under the present administration, Kano has implemented several climate-focused reforms, including the adoption of a State Climate Change Policy, the deployment of renewable energy in public institutions, urban greening and beautification projects under the Urban Renewal Programme, and large-scale afforestation and erosion control initiatives.
Representing the governor at the official unveiling of the ranking in Abuja, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Hashim, said the recognition demonstrates the administration’s firm commitment to sustainable development.
“This milestone is proof that Kano is taking concrete action to tackle the global climate challenge. We are not just talking about climate resilience — we are investing in it, institutionalising it, and leading by example,” Hashim said.
At the event, the First Secretary for Climate Diplomacy at the British High Commission, Samantha Harrison, presented a certificate of recognition to the Kano State Government in acknowledgement of its progress in climate governance.
Reacting to the recognition, Governor Abba Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to consolidate ongoing reforms.
“We have made bold decisions in the past year to protect our environment, empower our people, and secure a greener future
“This success belongs to the people of Kano, whose cooperation and resilience continue to inspire our environmental vision,” he said
Yusuf also commended the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Department of Climate Change for their continued collaboration in strengthening subnational climate governance.
He further appreciated the Society for Planet and Prosperity and the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, for initiating and managing the ranking, alongside the UK-FCDO Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement and other partners for their technical and policy support.
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