Kano Govt highlights institutional reforms as environment commissioner marks one year in office

The Kano State Government has highlighted institutional reforms, youth inclusion and systems-building in environmental governance as the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Muhammad Hashim, marked one year in office.

The reflections were made at a reception held in Kano on Tuesday to review the commissioner’s first year in office, attended by senior government officials, development partners, civil servants and youth leaders.

Representing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Chief of Staff, Dr Sulaiman Wali, said the administration deliberately opened leadership space to capable young professionals, stressing that effective governance thrives when competence, integrity and accountability are prioritised.

According to him, the decision was not symbolic but rooted in the belief that public institutions must be strengthened, systems must function and leadership must deliver outcomes that improve everyday life and secure the future.

Wali said the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change had advanced its mandate with focus and clarity under Dr. Hashim, treating environmental and climate governance as a public responsibility directly linked to public health, safety and economic resilience.

In his remarks, Dr. Hashim said his first year in office was devoted to restoring systems, improving coordination and delivering practical interventions across key areas including sanitation, flood mitigation, erosion control, afforestation, water access, climate policy and institutional reform.

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He noted that while Kano’s improved standing in the national climate governance ranking had already been reported earlier, the more critical achievement was the rebuilding of institutions and processes capable of sustaining progress beyond individual tenures.

“Our focus has been on allowing systems to work and ensuring institutions regain direction and coordination,” he said, adding that environmental governance requires planning, steady execution and consistency.

SolaceBase reports that over the past year, the ministry recorded progress in policy coordination, institutional strengthening and service delivery, including reforms in waste management, sanitation enforcement, afforestation and urban greening.

The period also saw improvements in flood mitigation planning, erosion control interventions and increased community participation in environmental protection initiatives.

In addition, the ministry also expanded public engagement through youth- and community-driven programmes, strengthened media visibility and partnerships, and improved Kano State’s standing in national climate governance assessments, developments officials said reflected better coordination, planning and accountability within the sector.

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Dr Hashim attributed the progress recorded so far to the leadership of Governor Yusuf, whose policy direction, he said, positioned the environment sector as central to public welfare, safety and development.

He also acknowledged the contribution of directors, technical officers, engineers, planners and frontline staff of the ministry and its agencies, as well as the support of development partners including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UNICEF and others.

The event featured the unveiling of a publication documenting the commissioner’s one-year stewardship, highlighting institutional consolidation, youth and community engagement, media outreach and strengthened climate governance frameworks.

The Kano State Government reaffirmed its commitment to consolidating reforms, deepening partnerships and mobilising resources to deliver a cleaner, safer and more resilient environment for residents of the state.