Kano inaugurates steering committee to drive anti-corruption, transparency

Kano State Head of Civil Service, Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu Maimota, has inaugurated a high-powered Steering Committee to drive the implementation of the Kano State Anti-Corruption Strategy (KANSACS) through the State Civil Service Delivery and Transparency Initiative (SSDTI).

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Abdulkarim Ibrahim I., DPRS/Ag. DPE, Office of the Head of Civil Service, the committee was inaugurated at the Conference Hall of the Office of the Head of Civil Service.

The initiative brings together key government institutions to strengthen transparency, accountability and efficiency across the state’s public service.

Inaugurating the committee, Maimota described the SSDTI as more than an acronym, saying it represents a key component of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration’s commitment to ensuring that the state civil service responds effectively to the demands of the 21st century.

She charged members to function both as watchdogs and drivers of efficiency by promoting transparent processes, accelerating service delivery and removing bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder effective governance.

“This committee is tasked with a significant responsibility to act as a watchdog and a driver for efficiency, ensuring that our processes are transparent, our service delivery is timely and to remove all bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder the progress of our state,” she said.

The Head of Service also highlighted the strategic role of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) in the initiative, noting that its inclusion reflects the state government’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption and its commitment to strengthening accountability in public institutions.

She stressed that the committee’s success would ultimately be measured by the reforms implemented across government institutions rather than the number of recommendations produced.

“I expect measurable results, not merely recommended solutions, but practical strategies. I urge you to work collaboratively, share data openly, and maintain a consistent line of communication with this office,” Maimota said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Steering Committee and Executive Chairman of the PCACC, Sa’idu Yahaya, urged members to study the KANSACS Action Plan 2024–2028 and translate its provisions into practical reforms within their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Yahaya warned against allowing the anti-corruption strategy to become another policy document without implementation, describing it instead as a working blueprint for reducing corruption and strengthening institutional accountability in Kano State.

“The work has been done for us; it is now left for us to come and implement all the strategies. With significant implementation of the strategy, we will definitely see significant changes in Kano State when it comes to corruption,” he said.

The PCACC chairman assured members that the commission’s secretariat would provide technical guidance and support throughout the implementation process. He also urged institutions to take ownership of the aspects of the strategy relevant to their respective mandates.

“We want to see action implemented on this strategy in practical terms. It is a blueprint provided by technical experts with support from RoLAC and International IDEA on how to reduce corruption in Kano State to the barest minimum,” Yahaya added.

The committee comprises representatives from key government institutions, including Hon. Abubakar Dalladi Isa, Chairman, House Committee on Public Service; Salisu Mustapha, Permanent Secretary, SSG (AGS Directorate); Sabi’u Shu’aibu Muhammad, Permanent Secretary, Human Resource and Service Improvement; Ahmad M. Tahir, Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Amina Yusuf ‘Yargaya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance; and Umma Dallatu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Budget.

Other members are Fatima Adamu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government; Pharm. Aminu Bashir, incoming Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; Abdulkadir Shehu, incoming Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; Hannatu Ado Gwaram, Permanent Secretary, SERVICOM; and Engr. Abdulrazak Haruna, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Procurement, Project Monitoring and Evaluation.

The Head of the KANSACS Secretariat, Isah Mansur Bello, will serve as secretary to the committee and coordinate the secretariat’s support for implementation, reporting and progress reviews.

Under the implementation framework, the Steering Committee will provide strategic oversight, while the KANSACS Secretariat will coordinate implementation, reporting and periodic reviews of progress.

The initiative is expected to strengthen institutional accountability, improve public service delivery and support efforts to reduce corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies across Kano State.