Governors Yusuf and Otti reshuffle cabinets in Kano and Abia, citing the need to improve governance and inject fresh ideas into their administrations

In Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf approved a minor reshuffle affecting top officials. According to his spokesperson, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, the move is “part of ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery across key ministries.”

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Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, was redeployed to the Ministry of Transport, while the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Mustapha Nuruddeen Muhammad, assumed new duties as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment.

The Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs, who had been overseeing the Ministry of Transport in an acting capacity, returned to his substantive role. The governor directed all affected officials to hand over responsibilities immediately.

Meanwhile, in Abia, Governor Alex Otti announced changes to the state executive council during a swearing-in ceremony at the Government House, Umuahia.

Two commissioners and one special adviser joined the cabinet: Dr Salome Obiukwu as Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Chiemela Uzoije as Commissioner for Housing, and Christian Enweremadu as Special Adviser on Agriculture.

The Ministry of Lands and Housing was also split into two distinct portfolios. Mr Kingsley Nwokocha, formerly Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, now heads Labour and Productivity, while Chaka Chukwumerije becomes Commissioner for Lands.

Governor Otti described the reshuffle as a strategy to “inject fresh ideas to enrich the quality and broaden the scope” of his administration’s work. He reminded appointees of his zero-tolerance policy on corruption and urged them to view their positions as a call to serve.

Responding on behalf of the new appointees, Mrs Obiukwu pledged loyalty to the governor’s vision and promised to deliver on their mandates.

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The changes in both states reflect an increasing trend among governors to periodically refresh their cabinets to drive efficiency and accountability in governance.