List Of Governors Of Kano State (1967-Present)

With 19 governors since 1967, Kano State has seen dramatic shifts, from military rule to recent elections decided by the Supreme Court.

This resource also looks at the eras of military rule and democratic transitions, underlining the first governor (appointed during military rule) and the most recent one, Abba Kabir Yusuf, whose 2023 election win involved a Supreme Court battle.

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Complete List Of Past And Current Governor Of Kano State

How Many Governors Has Kano State Had?

Kano State, located in northern Nigeria, has been governed by a total of 19 leaders since its creation. These leaders have played important roles in shaping the state’s development and governance.

The first governor of Kano State was Commissioner of Police, Audu Bako, who took office in May 1967 during the military regime. Following him, Colonel Sani Bello assumed the position of Military Governor in July 1975.

Group Captain Ishaya Shekari succeeded him as Military Governor in September 1978, followed by a series of governors from different political parties and military administrations.

Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi served as governor from October 1979 to May 1983 under the platform of the PRP (People’s Redemption Party).

He was succeeded by Alhaji Abdu Dawakin Tofa and Alhaji Sabo Bakin Zuwo, both also from the PRP, who held office for brief periods.

The state saw various military governors during different intervals, including Air Commodore Hamza Abdullahi, Colonel Ahmed Muhammad Daku, Group Captain Mohammed Ndatsu Umaru, and Colonel Idris Garba, among others.

These military governors held office during different periods between 1984 and 1999. With the return to civilian rule in 1999, Kano State witnessed a shift in leadership dynamics.

Architect Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya became the first civilian governor since the military era, serving from January 1992 to November 1993 under the NRC (National Republican Convention) party.

Subsequent administrations saw leaders like Engineer (Dr.) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Abba Kabir Yusuf contribute to the state’s progress and development in their respective terms.

READ ALSO: List Of Governors Of Kwara State (1967-Present)

Who Is The Current Governor Of Kano State?

The current governor of Kano State is Abba Kabir Yusuf. He assumed office on May 29, 2023. Abba Kabir Yusuf was born on January 5, 1963, in Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria.

He attended Sumaila Primary School and later Government Secondary School Dawakin Tofa and Government Secondary School Lautai in Gumel, where he completed his secondary education in 1980.

He furthered his education at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, and Kaduna Polytechnic, obtaining diplomas in Civil Engineering.

Yusuf began his political career as a personal assistant to Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State. He later served as Commissioner of Works, Housing, and Transport during Kwankwaso’s second term as governor.

In 2018, Yusuf contested in the gubernatorial election under the Peoples Democratic Party but lost. Then he joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party and won the 2023 gubernatorial election.

However, his victory faced legal challenges from the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Tribunal initially declared Nasir Gawuna of APC as the winner but Abba Kabir Yusuf appealed the decision.

Later, the Court of Appeal upheld the Tribunal’s decision. Nevertheless, Yusuf approached the Supreme Court, which overturned the Court of Appeal’s ruling on January 12, 2024, affirming him as the duly elected governor of Kano State. Currently, he serves as governor alongside his deputy, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.