The Government of Kano State in Northwest Nigeria has entered into two significant agreements with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom.
These agreements are designed to enhance accountability, improve coordination, and optimise service delivery across several key sectors.
The pacts, signed in Kano, include the Kano State Mutual Accountability Framework (KMAF) and the Kano State Education Emergency Response Strategy.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Farouk, signed on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, while Cynthia Rowe, Development Director, Nigeria, British High Commission Abuja, signed for the FCDO.
Governor Yusuf described the agreements as a “historic milestone” in the state’s pursuit of transparent and inclusive governance.
He said the frameworks would address gaps in donor coordination, prevent duplication of efforts, and ensure that resources from both government and development partners deliver measurable impact.
“This mutual accountability framework provides a clear, structured platform for collaboration, ensuring every Naira and pound spent delivers tangible results.
“Today’s signing is not just a formality but a call to action a renewed social contract between government, FCDO, and the people we serve,” Yusuf said.
He commended the UK Government for its longstanding support in building institutional capacity and contributing technical and financial resources across sectors such as health, education, governance, environment, and climate change.
In her remarks, the Development Director, Nigeria, British High Commission, Cynthia Rowe, said the agreements reflect a strong partnership that has been evolving since the launch of the KMAF in 2021.
She noted that while global and national development landscapes are shifting, the UK remains committed to supporting Kano’s vision of inclusive growth.
“The UK will deepen its engagement in areas such as education, health, climate change, water and sanitation, and agriculture.
“We will also work closely with Kano to boost private sector investments through agencies like CAN Invest, to create a more resilient and fair economy,” Rowe said.
She added that tackling climate change at scale remains a mutual ambition, with the UK pledging to help Kano access climate finance and integrate climate resilience into development programs.
The signing ceremony, attended by senior government officials and development partners, was also described as a reaffirmation of shared goals between Kano State and the UK government, particularly in driving sustainable development.