By Ismail Kabir
When Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, assumed office in May 2023, one of the most pressing challenges confronting his administration was the issue of security. For years, Kaduna had been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons: banditry, kidnappings, communal clashes, and terrorist attacks that claimed lives, destroyed livelihoods, and threatened its status as one of Nigeria’s most important political and economic states. Yet, less than two years into his stewardship, Governor Sani has begun to rewrite Kaduna’s security narrative, winning both local and international commendations.
Perhaps the strongest endorsement yet came recently from the United Kingdom Government, which hailed the governor’s efforts in improving security across the state. In a remarkable shift, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) announced Kaduna’s reclassification in its travel advisory from “red,” meaning strictly unsafe, to “amber,” indicating significant improvements and safer conditions. For a state that had long carried the stigma of insecurity, this recognition was more than symbolic; it signaled global acknowledgment that progress is real and tangible.
Speaking during the Kaduna State Mutual Accountability Framework (K-MAF) Dialogue, Cynthia Rowe, Head of UK Development Cooperation at the FCDO, commended Sani for restoring peace and stability. “Security is a key enabler of growth and development,” she said, adding that the improvement had encouraged the UK to expand its footprint in Kaduna through initiatives like the SPRiNG Programme (Strengthening Peace, Resilience and Inclusive Governance).
Rowe’s words underscore an important truth: investors, development agencies, and governments across the world take security as a fundamental precondition for engagement. By moving Kaduna from “red” to “amber,” the UK has effectively opened doors for greater collaboration in trade, agriculture, education, and health.
Governor Uba Sani has repeatedly made it clear that his approach to governance is anchored on security. “Without peace, there can be no development. Without security, every other aspiration crumbles,” he has often said.
In practice, this philosophy has translated into policies and actions that blend firmness with inclusiveness. Unlike his predecessor’s approach, often criticized as abrasive, Sani’s style is consultative, bringing traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society, and security agencies into one table of dialogue.
This collaborative approach has yielded results: bandit incursions are reducing, communities once riven by sectarian tensions are slowly mending, and farmers displaced by violence are returning to their lands.
Beyond the UK’s commendation, local stakeholders, from community leaders to civil society groups—have consistently praised the administration’s people-focused approach to peace-building. By prioritizing inclusive governance, Governor Sani has ensured that no community feels alienated or marginalized.
His government has also invested heavily in addressing root causes of conflict. For instance, under the K-MAF framework, significant gains have been recorded in healthcare, education, and agriculture, all areas closely tied to stability. Expanded access to healthcare and improved maternal and child health outcomes reduce frustrations that often fester into unrest. Better schools and trained teachers give young people alternatives to idleness and crime. Meanwhile, agriculture, boosted with over 10 percent of the 2025 budget, provides livelihoods for rural populations, tackling the economic despair that often fuels insecurity.
The decision to host the UK-backed SPRiNG Programme in Kaduna is no accident. The initiative seeks to address conflict drivers, strengthen peacebuilding mechanisms, and support inclusive governance. That Kaduna was chosen as a hub speaks to the confidence the international community has in Governor Sani’s ability to deliver.
Through SPRiNG, Kaduna is poised to become a model of resilience, where security is not seen merely as the absence of violence but as the presence of justice, opportunity, and hope.
It is no surprise that as Kaduna’s security outlook improves so too has investor interest. The Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) has reported increased inquiries from both domestic and foreign investors. With the UK and other partners pledging deeper collaboration, the state is positioning itself as a hub for agribusiness, manufacturing, and technology in Northern Nigeria.
Farmers, once displaced by banditry, are beginning to return to their fields. Markets in rural areas, once deserted, are bustling again. This economic revival is inseparable from the improved security situation, reinforcing the governor’s assertion that peace is the foundation of prosperity.
The UK may have provided the loudest applause, but Governor Sani has earned praise from other quarters as well. Community elders commend him for his humility and willingness to listen. Religious leaders appreciate his efforts to promote peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims. Security agencies acknowledge his consistent support and coordination, ensuring synergy rather than rivalry in operations.
Even critics admit that the governor has brought a refreshing calmness to governance, level-headed, humble, yet decisive when it matters. His approach contrasts sharply with the combative style of his predecessor, which often deepened divisions.
Of course, challenges remain. Insecurity in Nigeria is a national issue, and Kaduna is not immune to spillovers from neighbouring states. Banditry, terrorism, and rural crime are adaptive threats that require vigilance. Governor Sani himself has acknowledged that the fight is far from over.
Yet, what stands out is the sense of direction. With international partners like the UK backing his efforts, and with Kaduna people gradually regaining confidence in the state, the foundation is strong. By combining proactive security measures with social investments, Sani is building a peace that is sustainable, not superficial.
Ultimately, what makes Sani’s security strides unique is his humility and inclusiveness. By rejecting the politics of division, by embracing dialogue over confrontation, and by investing in people as much as in patrols, he is crafting a Kaduna that is safer, fairer, and more hopeful.
The UK’s commendation is therefore not just a feather in his cap; it is a validation of a leadership style that sees security not as a military operation alone but as a holistic project of governance.
Sani’s strides in security represent more than local progress—they point to a national lesson. When leaders prioritize dialogue, inclusiveness, and people-centred development, peace becomes achievable. When international partners recognize and support such efforts, it strengthens local resolve and accelerates progress.
For Kaduna, the journey from “red” to “amber” is more than a travel advisory adjustment; it is a symbol of hope that a state once synonymous with violence can become a beacon of peace and development.
In the words of Governor Uba Sani: “Peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice and opportunity. We will continue to work until every community in Kaduna feels safe, secure, and empowered to thrive.”
For now, Kaduna is on the right path—thanks to a governor who understands that true security is built not just with guns, but with goodwill, governance, and grit.
•Kabir writes from Kaduna State
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