Kano’s Water Revolution :How Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is Changing the Flow

By Ladan Nasidi

For decades, clean drinking water in Kano has been more of a privilege than a right. In the city’s bustling neighborhoods and the dusty rural communities, residents have endured the struggle of fetching water from broken taps, shallow wells, or, at times, expensive vendors.

The state’s vast population—among the highest in Nigeria—has often outpaced its water infrastructure, leaving millions yearning for reliable supply.But that story is beginning to change.

Since taking office, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has made water a top priority, setting in motion what many describe as a revolution in the making.

His administration is pouring resources into modern machines, reviving abandoned reservoirs, and reforming the state’s water sector with a single goal: to make clean water accessible to every household in Kano.

A New Dawn at the Treatment Plants

At the Ministry of Water Resources, Commissioner Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa paints an optimistic picture.

In his words, the government has gone beyond rhetoric to action. Modern pumping machines, he explained, have already been purchased and are on their way to Kano.

These machines have already arrived in Lagos. I will personally represent the state government to receive them before their installation,” Doguwa told Communitypen, his tone brimming with anticipation.

For him, the arrival of these machines is more than a technical upgrade—it represents hope. Hope that Kano’s age-old water challenges can finally be tackled with modern solutions.

Breathing Life into Forgotten Reservoirs

Beyond technology, the Yusuf administration has turned its gaze to the past—reviving historic reservoirs that once defined Kano’s water supply but had long fallen victim to neglect and vandalism.“You will be surprised how those historical reservoirs were abandoned,” Doguwa lamented. “We will revive them and ensure they function effectively.”

Already, the government is spending over ₦1.3 billion monthly on water treatment and logistics, a figure that underscores both the scale of the challenge and the depth of commitment.

Cracking Down on Abuse Yet, even with huge investments, challenges persist.

In some neighborhoods, water meant for the public is illegally siphoned into private tanks for resale. Irrigation farmers use to tamper with supply lines to feed their fields.

The commissioner’s voice grew stern as he issued a warning: “Anyone caught diverting water for selfish purposes will face the full wrath of the law.”For Doguwa, protecting the system from abuse is as important as expanding it. After all, without discipline, the dream of equitable access could be undermined.

Water is not just about supply—it’s about safety too. Memories of the recent flooding in Borno State remain fresh, and Kano is not taking chances.

In one symbolic move, top officials visited the iconic Tiga Dam, a giant reservoir built in the early 1970s with a capacity of nearly 2 billion cubic meters.

Alongside engineers and experts, they inspected its walls, tested its systems, and reassured the public of its structural strength.“What happened at the Alo Dam sent a very negative signal to Nigerians,” Commissioner Ali Makoda explained during the inspection.“That is why His Excellency directed us to come and inspect the Dam.”

The inspections will continue at other major dams—Bagwai, Challawa, and beyond—underscoring a new seriousness about disaster prevention.

A Silent Revolution in Finances Perhaps the quietest but most striking change is happening behind the desks of the Kano State Water Board.

When Governor Yusuf took office, the board’s monthly revenue barely crossed ₦50 million.

Today, it has risen to more than ₦160 million—a 300 percent leap.“This turnaround has stabilized the board’s finances,” Doguwa revealed.

“We can now pay staff salaries promptly—even under the new ₦70,000 minimum wage.”

The reforms—anchored on efficiency, accountability, and a rigorous census of industrial water users—have given the board a new lease of life.

For once, water management in Kano is not just about pipes and pumps, but also about sound financial health.Clean Water as a Right, Not a Privilege.

At the heart of these efforts is a simple vision: that no child in Kano should grow up without safe drinking water, and no household should struggle for what is the most basic human necessity.”The commitment of the Kano State Government is clear,” Doguwa stressed.

“To provide safe and sufficient potable drinking water to the general populace, and to enhance the well-being of our people.”

On the streets of Kano, where water vendors still push carts and children carry plastic jerrycans, that promise cannot come soon enough.

But for the first time in years, residents see signs that the tide is turning.Governor Yusuf’s water revolution is still unfolding, but one thing is certain: the flow of change has begun.