KANO’s DEVELOPMENT PUSH: THE GLARING OMISSION IN THE WAR ON DRUGS!

The recent press release from the Kano State Executive Council meeting, dated November 2nd 2025, paints a picture of a government hard at work. A staggering ₦19 billion approved for projects in education, health, water resources, and infrastructure is, on the surface, a commendable display of commitment to development. From settling feeding debts in schools to constructing new roads and investing in water treatment plants, the administration of His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has laid out an ambitious plan to touch various sectors.

However, a careful reading of this extensive document reveals a critical and alarming omission, one that strikes at the very heart of Kano’s security and social fabric. There is a deafening silence on any specific, budgeted plan to tackle the escalating menace of drug abuse.

While the government is busy installing traffic lights and building fences,( which is commendable),a more insidious enemy is corroding the foundation of our society in plain sight. The youth, who are supposed to be the beneficiaries of these new classrooms and libraries, are being lost in their thousands to the scourge of addiction. This is not merely a social ill; it is a direct and potent threat to the state’s security economic productivity, and future.

The Nexus Between Drugs and Insecurity

It is an open secret that drug abuse is a primary fuel for the rising tide of crime in Kano. From petty theft and burglary to more organized violence, the influence of illicit substances is undeniable. A youth population grappling with addiction is a vulnerable one, easily manipulated into acts of thuggery (‘Yan Daba), Phone snatching, political violence, and other criminal enterprises. By failing to confront the drug menace head-on with a dedicated financial commitment, the government is, in effect, treating the symptoms of insecurity (through reactive security measures) while ignoring a root cause.

The approved projects, though valuable, are like building a beautiful house on a foundation riddled with termites. No amount of solar-powered streetlights in Kwankwasiyya City can illuminate the dark corners where drugs are peddled and consumed. No renovation of a paediatric hospital, however noble, can fully address the long-term public health crisis addiction creates.

A Call for a Targeted, Funded Action Plan

The government’s efforts in other sectors show that it can mobilise resources for critical issues. It is therefore perplexing and deeply concerning that the same vigour is not being applied to the drug crisis. We urge the state government to move beyond rhetoric and incorporate a concrete, multi-pronged strategy into its next budget cycle. Here are crucial suggestions:

Allocate a Specific Budget Line for Drug Rehabilitation: The government must establish and fund state-of-the-art rehabilitation centres. The ₦140 million spent on accreditation for the Polytechnic is vital, but what is the value of an accredited institution if its potential students are being destroyed by drugs? A comparable, if not greater, investment is needed to reclaim the lives of those already addicted.
Fund Mass Awareness and Education Campaigns: A war on drugs cannot be won only in rehab centres. A sustained, state-wide public awareness campaign, using traditional media, social media and community outreach, is essential to prevent drug use, especially among secondary and tertiary school students. This requires a dedicated budget for production of materials, media airtime and community engagement.
Empower and Equip the NDLEA and State Security Agencies: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other security bodies are fighting a resource-intensive war. The Kano State Government should demonstrate its commitment by providing logistical support, operational vehicles and modern technology to help them dismantle trafficking networks. The ₦126 million for three Toyota Hilux for the SSG’s office is a stark reminder of where priorities currently lie.
Invest in Youth Empowerment and Alternative Livelihoods: Addiction often flourishes in an environment of idleness and despair. The government should create and fund vocational training programs, sports initiatives, and small business grants specifically targeted at at-risk youth. Providing a positive alternative is one of the most powerful weapons against drug abuse.
Establish a State Task Force on Drug Abuse: A high-powered, inter-agency task force comprising health professionals, security agencies, community leaders, and religious bodies should be established. This body should be backed by a specific budget to coordinate the state’s response, collect data and measure the impact of interventions.

Conclusion

His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has rightly received accolades for his leadership. However, true legacy is defined by a government’s courage to tackle its most difficult challenges. The impressive list of awards and infrastructure projects will ring hollow if the state continues to lose a generation to the devastation of drug abuse.

We call on the government to treat this issue with the urgency it deserves. Let the next Executive Council press release feature a bold, well-funded initiative to combat drug abuse. The security, health and future of Kano State depend on it. It is time to build not just roads and buildings, but a safer, healthier and drug-free society for all.

Amb Maryam Hassan
Executive Director
LESPADA.