29/01/2026
KANO STATE — Tourism Renaissance Under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf: A Two-Year Success Story
Kano — In just two years under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State — widely celebrated as the most tourism-friendly governor in Nigeria in 2025 — the ancient city of Kano has witnessed a remarkable revival and expansion of tourism activities, cultural heritage preservation, and destination development. This progressive transformation is positioning Kano as a premier cultural and historical tourism hub in West Africa. 
Cultural Revitalization and Festival Tourism
In October 2025, Governor Yusuf issued a landmark Executive Order mandating the annual celebration of the historic Durbar Festival across the four emirates of Kano, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye. This decisive action came after a period of suspension and was aimed at reinstating one of Northern Nigeria’s most vibrant cultural celebrations as a focal point for tourism and cultural pride. 
The Durbar, a spectacular horse-riding and procession festival recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, now draws domestic and international visitors, creating new economic opportunities for artisans, entertainers, hospitality providers, and local businesses. 
In the same spirit of cultural celebration, the state government inaugurated the Kano Festival of Arts and Culture (KanFest) — locally known as Kalankuwa — as a dedicated annual event celebrating arts, music, crafts, storytelling, and traditional heritage. The festival serves as both a showcase of Kano’s deep cultural roots and a platform to attract investors, creative youth, and tourists from across Africa and beyond. 
Governor Yusuf’s leadership at KanFest 2025 was also recognised with an Award of Achievement for Cultural Leadership by the African International Documentary Festival Foundation, highlighting his commitment to heritage preservation and youth engagement. 
