When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Kaduna State to commission the numerous projects executed in just over two years by Governor Uba Sani, even he couldn’t help but marvel at the dramatic transformation. Mr. President confessed that the Kaduna State he had visited before the 2023 general election was markedly different from the one he stepped into during his recent visit. It was clear, even to the president, that something fundamental had shifted.
While addressing the gathering after commissioning the projects, President Tinubu didn’t mince words about the new face of Kaduna. He acknowledged the peace and security gains under Uba Sani’s watch, stating: “What I see here today gives me hope—not just for Kaduna, but for Nigeria at large. Kaduna is now a shining example of how peace and security can unlock development. From Birnin Gwari to Southern Kaduna, the progress is visible, and the peace is refreshing.”
Indeed, from Kaduna metropolis to Birnin Gwari, there’s a new sense of calm. The road to Birnin Gwari, especially, once nicknamed “the road of death,” is no longer dreaded. That route has been transformed into a corridor of peace, where travellers now journey without fear or the ominous shadow of violence looming over them. I believe it was this remarkable turnaround has wowed the president and left many surprised. Yet, this newfound calm isn’t just about security patrols or military checkpoints; it’s a reflection of deliberate, people-centred leadership.
Where his predecessor thrived on grandstanding and peacock posturing, Uba Sani embraced humility, collaboration and practical governance. He swapped political theatrics for quiet efficiency, and the results are speaking louder than words.
One of Uba Sani’s most effective strategies has been his outreach to traditional rulers, those grassroots influencers whose voices resonate within their communities. Rather than side-lining them as mere ceremonial figures, Uba Sani brought them to the decision-making table. Their ideas, concerns, and wisdom are now integral to governance. This synergy has birthed a new Kaduna State, one that even President Tinubu couldn’t ignore.
But it doesn’t end there.
For many years, Kaduna was a theatre of religious and ethnic hostilities, with tensions simmering just beneath the surface. The fractures were deep, and opportunists exploited these divides to unleash violence and instability. However, under Uba Sani’s leadership, these cracks are slowly but surely healing.
Through open dialogue, sincere engagement, and deliberate policies that promote inclusion, the seeds of unity are being planted afresh. Interfaith forums, youth peace initiatives, and community reconciliations have become regular features in Kaduna’s evolving story. The old narratives of suspicion and discord are gradually giving way to new tales of cooperation and mutual respect.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Governor Uba Sani’s tenure isn’t just the peace returning to Kaduna’s streets and villages; it is the sense of fairness and equity that permeates his administration. His commitment to equitable development has been unmatched in the recent history of the state.
Every corner of Kaduna, whether in the north, south, or central zones, has felt the impact of governance. From road constructions to water projects, from health facilities to educational interventions, no part of the state has been left behind. This deliberate spread of developmental projects has not only boosted economic activities across Kaduna but also doused long-held grievances of marginalisation.
It is this fair and just leadership that has rendered troublemakers jobless. With every community having a stake in the Kaduna project, there are fewer opportunities for those who thrive on division to find relevance.
Interestingly, Uba Sani’s style of leadership has defied the usual political playbook. He is not one for endless media drama or seeking applause for every single effort. His approach has been simple: identify problems, consult widely, act decisively, and monitor implementation. It is this methodical yet unassuming approach that has yielded the results Kaduna State now enjoys.
What makes his story even more compelling is that Uba Sani never pretended that the state’s problems could vanish overnight. He didn’t arrive with unrealistic promises or magic solutions. Instead, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work, acknowledging the enormity of the challenges but remaining undeterred.
From tackling the age-long farmers-herders clashes in Kajuru and Kachia, to restoring water supply in Zaria, to reopening schools in crisis-prone areas, Uba Sani has approached every issue with courage, clarity, and a deep sense of responsibility.
He may not have solved every problem, and perhaps he never will, but no honest observer can accuse him of not trying. His efforts, grounded in sincerity and strategic thinking, have earned him growing respect, not just within Kaduna but also across Nigeria’s political landscape.
So, when the story of Uba Sani is told in the years to come, it will not just be the story of a governor who built roads, schools, and hospitals. It will be the story of a man who dared to change the narrative. A leader who didn’t deny the existence of problems but accepted them as challenges to be tackled head-on. A man who didn’t rely on empty rhetoric but chose collaboration, fairness, and persistence to drive his agenda.
In many ways, what is unfolding in Kaduna under Uba Sani’s stewardship is nothing short of a quiet revolution, one built on peace, anchored in progress, and powered by the collective will of the people.
Thanks to Uba Sani, Kaduna today, is no longer a symbol of division, violence, and despair. It is gradually emerging as an intersection of peace, hope, and inclusive development. It has become a state where everyone, regardless of tribe, faith, or political leaning, feels seen, heard, and carried along.
And to borrow President Tinubu’s words, “Kaduna today gives hope for Nigeria.”
•Murtala writes from Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State.
