How Uba Sani’s Ingenuity and Prudence Pulled Kaduna from Fiscal Brink

When Senator Uba Sani took the helm as Governor of Kaduna State on May 29, 2023, he inherited a dire financial situation. The state was teetering on the edge of fiscal ruin, saddled with an overwhelming amount of domestic and foreign debt, crippling insecurity, widespread distrust, and the looming threat of economic stagnation. Observers painted a grim picture of a state trapped between insolvency and instability, with debt servicing alone consuming a disproportionate amount of the state's revenue.

Facing monthly salary obligations that exceeded the state's monthly receipts after debt deductions, Governor Sani made a bold decision. Instead of succumbing to the pressure to take on more debt, he championed a path of fiscal discipline, institutional reform, prudent resource management, and vigorous revenue generation. This approach, a stark departure from the norm in a political culture often reliant on borrowing, has proven to be transformative.

“

We cannot even pay salaries without borrowing.

Remarkably, in just three years, Governor Sani's administration has managed to repay over N90 billion of the inherited debts without incurring any new loans. This feat has not only stabilized Kaduna's public finances but has also restored confidence in its financial management. The state's commitment to transparency and accountability has been recognized, with Kaduna being named Nigeria's most transparent and accountable state for two consecutive years by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity. This administration has truly redefined governance in Kaduna, prioritizing participatory approaches and robust fiscal principles.

“

Our administration has prioritised transparency and accountability as pillars of sustainable development.