UK commends Kaduna reforms, pledges continued support for development programmes

The United Kingdom Government has applauded the reform initiatives of Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, describing them as instrumental in strengthening governance, promoting accountability and accelerating socio-economic development.

The commendation was given by the UK Minister of State for International Development and Africa, Jenny Chapman, during a visit to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.

Chapman was in the state as part of an assessment mission to evaluate the impact of development interventions funded by the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) across key sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, social protection and environmental sustainability.

She acknowledged Kaduna State's longstanding collaboration with the FCDO, noting that the partnership had contributed significantly to institutional reforms, improved service delivery and strengthened public sector accountability.

The minister also praised the state's progress in restoring peace and security, saying the improved security situation had created an enabling environment for development and investment.

According to her, the UK Government remains committed to supporting Kaduna State's development priorities through sustained collaboration and strategic partnerships aimed at delivering inclusive and sustainable growth.

Responding, Gov. Uba Sani described the relationship between Kaduna State and the UK Government as productive and impactful, adding that years of collaboration had yielded measurable results in governance and public sector reforms.

The governor said various UK-supported initiatives had played a pivotal role in enhancing governance structures, citizen engagement and institutional effectiveness across the state.

He cited programmes such as the State and Local Governance Programme (SLGP), State Partnership for Accountability, Responsiveness and Capability (SPARC), Supporting Active Voice for Impact (SAVI), Partnership for Education and Learning (PERL), and Partnership for Accountability and Civic Engagement (PACE) as key drivers of reform and development.

Sani further noted that Kaduna's commitment to transparency and citizen participation was demonstrated by its early adoption of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), making it one of the pioneering subnational governments in Africa to embrace the initiative.

He disclosed that the state had recorded substantial growth in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), attributing the achievement to reforms in revenue administration, fiscal management and institutional capacity building.

The governor added that many of the reforms were strengthened through technical and development support provided by the FCDO over the years.

The visit underscored the enduring partnership between Kaduna State and the United Kingdom, focused on promoting good governance, strengthening institutions, expanding economic opportunities and improving the welfare of citizens.