BusinessDay Names Gov Yusuf 2026 Governor of the Year, Cites Governance, Investment Reforms

BusinessDay Names Gov Yusuf 2026 Governor of the Year, Cites Governance, Investment Reforms

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been named BusinessDay's 2026 Governor of the Year, in recognition of his administration's strides in governance, economic development and efforts to position the state as a leading investment destination.

The award was presented on Thursday at the 14th BusinessDay Annual CEO Forum held at Eko Hotel, Lagos, where Kano also received recognition under the States Competitiveness and Investment Readiness Awards (SCIRA) for its investment-friendly policies.

Governor Yusuf, who was represented by his deputy at the ceremony, received the award in the presence of senior government officials, business executives and policymakers, including the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Presenting the award, BusinessDay Publisher and Chief Executive Officer, Frank Aigbogun, said the honour reflects Kano's growing competitiveness and the state's progress in creating an enabling environment for investment and economic growth.

In his acceptance speech, delivered by the deputy governor, Yusuf described the award as a testament to the collective efforts of his administration in pursuing people-centred governance and implementing reforms aimed at driving sustainable development.

He said the recognition by one of Nigeria's leading business publications validates his government's investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, commerce, industrialisation and social welfare.

The governor reiterated his commitment to consolidating Kano's status as Northern Nigeria's commercial hub through policies that encourage investment, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), modernise markets, strengthen agricultural value chains and expand employment opportunities for young people.

Yusuf dedicated the award to the people of Kano State, members of the State Executive Council, the legislature, judiciary, traditional and religious leaders, civil servants, development partners and the private sector for their contributions to the state's progress.

He added that the recognition would motivate his administration to deepen transparency, accountability and inclusive governance while accelerating the delivery of projects that improve the welfare of residents.

The award was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the governor's spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.