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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

23 Awards in Three Years: Inside Uba Sani’s Governance Trajectory

From ThisDay · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has received 23 awards and honors in the three years since taking office.
  • These accolades have helped secure over $900,000 in global grants for the state's development.
  • Awards recognize achievements in digitalization, pro-poor leadership, peace and security, fiscal prudence, infrastructure development, and healthcare.

In the three years since Governor Uba Sani took office, Kaduna State has garnered 23 distinct awards and institutional merits from independent bodies, international donors, and national media. These recognitions highlight the administration's focus on tangible achievements rather than mere rhetoric, translating into over $900,000 (more than ₦1.3 billion) in competitive global grants for state development.

Early in his tenure, Sani prioritized digitizing the civil service and procurement processes, a move acknowledged by the Nigeria Computer Society, which named him Digital Governor of the Year in 2023. The Good Governance League recognized him as Pro-Poor Leader of the Year for an executive order protecting underserved citizens. His administration's success in easing insecurity through community dialogue earned him Governor of the Year in Peace and Security in 2025 from Blueprint Newspapers, while LEADERSHIP Newspapers cited his fiscal prudence amid fuel subsidy removal.

Action, as our elders say, speaks louder than words. And the numbers are loud.

— Nasir DambattaThe author emphasizes the tangible results of Governor Uba Sani's administration.

Further accolades include recognition for inclusive growth and infrastructure delivery from ThisDay Newspaper and for rural development efforts from NTA Kaduna. The 'Democracy Heroes Award Africa' named him Nigeria’s Best Performing Governor in 2025 for expanding democratic accountability. Even his peers at the Progressive Governors Forum honored him for managing the state's inherited debt.

Beyond governance, Sani's administration has made significant strides in healthcare. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recognized Kaduna as the North-West Regional Champion in the PHC Leadership Challenge, securing $500,000 in grants. Kaduna also won Overall National Winner status, unlocking an additional $400,000 for healthcare upgrades. Professional health unions also presented multiple awards for revitalizing healthcare services.

When critics reach for politics, the government can point to 23 undeniable proofs of delivery.

— Nasir DambattaThe author highlights the awards as evidence of the governor's performance.
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Originally published by ThisDay. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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