By Abdullahi Inuwa
If I were the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment—I would appoint Dan Bello as Commissioner and assign him a merged “super portfolio” that covers the Ministries of Education, Works, and Transport. That’s right: three critical ministries in one powerful, performance-driven desk. Why? Because Dan Bello is not just capable—he is lightyears ahead of the current occupants of those offices, in both vision and delivery.
For far too long, Kano has suffered from fragmented governance where each ministry operates in a silo, often duplicating efforts, wasting scarce resources, and producing underwhelming results. The city’s roads are potholed, public schools are falling apart, and the state’s transportation system—especially the chaotic tricycle (Keke Napep) scene—is a daily symbol of dysfunction. We need an overhaul, not a band-aid. And Dan Bello is the man who can deliver it.
Dan Bello is a name that resonates with competence, discipline, and unmatched administrative insight. He has earned a reputation for solving complex problems with strategic simplicity. Whether it’s revamping decaying infrastructure, sanitizing a bloated bureaucracy, or rallying communities to support public projects, Bello brings energy, expertise, and results.
Unlike the current Commissioners whose approaches remain largely cosmetic, Dan Bello believes in systemic change. He doesn’t patch roads—he redesigns them. He doesn’t issue circulars to improve school attendance—he inspires teachers and revamps curricula. He doesn’t complain about traffic disorder—he creates a coordinated transport system with enforceable rules, smart route planning, and reliable maintenance.
Kano doesn’t need fancy words. It needs effective leadership. And that’s precisely what Dan Bello offers.
Education, Works, and Transport are deeply interconnected. You can’t run quality schools without reliable infrastructure—good access roads, safe buildings, and functional transport systems for both students and staff. Likewise, any transport policy must consider school zones, peak hours, and the movement of goods and services linked to education and construction.
Merging these ministries under one competent leader eliminates bureaucratic delays, ensures better budget coordination, and facilitates faster project execution. It’s a model that has worked in high-performing states and countries around the world—where synergy, not separation, defines public administration.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to his credit, has shown ambition in his first year. But ambition without execution is like building castles in the air. Appointing Dan Bello to a super-ministry would be the governor’s most strategic move yet—proof that he’s ready to prioritize delivery over party patronage or political appeasement.
Some critics may say merging three ministries is too radical. Others may argue that it sidelines existing Commissioners. But let’s be honest—most of these Commissioners have shown neither the will nor the skill to lead transformative change. Their impact so far has been largely ceremonial, with photo-ops replacing meaningful policy implementation.
Kano cannot afford such lethargy any longer. The state is bursting with young people whose future depends on sound education, a functioning transport network, and resilient infrastructure. These aren’t luxuries—they’re lifelines. And Dan Bello is the one who can tie them all together in a coordinated, people-centered approach.
This isn’t about sidelining anyone. It’s about prioritizing competence over convenience. If the current crop of Commissioners were delivering results, this conversation would be moot. But the evidence on the ground—from overcrowded classrooms and unfinished roads to unregulated Keke riders—is damning.
Dan Bello’s approach would bring a new sense of urgency to governance. Schools would be upgraded—not just painted for media optics. Roads would be constructed with lasting materials and real engineering oversight, not substandard shortcuts. Transport policy would finally align with urban planning and safety needs.
He would consult stakeholders, incorporate innovation, and introduce performance tracking across departments. The kind of inter-ministerial synergy that has long eluded Kano would finally be realized.
Governor Abba has a golden opportunity to redefine leadership in Kano. By empowering someone with Dan Bello’s pedigree and giving him the structural room to operate across related sectors, he would be sending a loud message: “This government is here to deliver, not to decorate.”
Conclusion
Kano needs more than politics—it needs performance. And performance begins with putting the right people in the right positions. Dan Bello has the competence, character, and commitment that the Ministries of Education, Works, and Transport desperately require. Merging these portfolios and placing them in his hands would transform dysfunction into direction, and chaos into coordinated progress.
If I were Abba Kabir, I wouldn’t wait another day. I would hand Dan Bello the super-portfolio—and watch Kano rise again.
Editor’s Note: This piece represents the author’s personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper.
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