In a landmark assessment of subnational governance across Nigeria, Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers (GOMEP) Nigeria has unveiled its 2025 Governance Accountability and Transparency Index (GATI) Report, with Kano State emerging as one of the ten top-performing states in the federation under the prestigious Category A – Exceptional Performance classification.
The latest ranking places Kano alongside Abia, Borno, Ekiti, Anambra, Kaduna, Osun, Delta, Enugu, and Kogi States as leaders in governance transparency, accountability, and institutional responsiveness.
Kano’s Remarkable Leap: From Average to Exceptional
Kano State’s inclusion among the top performers represents one of the most dramatic governance turnarounds recorded in the 2025 GATI Report. In the inaugural 2024 edition, the state was ranked under Category C – Average Performance, with an index score of 58.6 points.
However, in the 2025 assessment, Kano surged to Category A – Exceptional Performance, recording an impressive 89.1 points. This extraordinary leap reflects a 30.5-point increase, translating to a 52.05% improvement in governance performance—one of the most significant upward movements nationwide.
Leadership Driving Transformation
This remarkable progress has been largely attributed to the governance style and reform-driven leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, whose administration has prioritized transparency, institutional accountability, and people-oriented governance.
Under his leadership, Kano State has witnessed measurable improvements across key governance indicators, including:
1. Fiscal Transparency and Budget Reforms: The state has strengthened public access to budgetary information, enhanced fiscal discipline, and improved disclosure of government expenditures.
2. Public Sector Accountability: Institutional mechanisms have been reinforced to ensure oversight, compliance, and responsible management of public resources.
3. Citizen Engagement: The administration has expanded platforms for public participation, ensuring that citizens play a more active role in governance processes.
4. Digital Governance Initiatives: Deployment of digital systems has improved service delivery, reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks, and enhanced access to government information.
5. Infrastructure and Social Development: Significant investments in education, healthcare, urban renewal, and rural development have contributed to improved public service delivery and citizen satisfaction.
6. Procurement Transparency: Reforms in public procurement processes have ensured openness in contract awards and reduced corruption risks.
7. Media Freedom and Information Access: The state has fostered a more enabling environment for media operations and information dissemination, strengthening democratic accountability.
GATI Report: A Benchmark for Governance Excellence
The GATI Report, developed by GOMEP Nigeria, serves as an independent governance performance evaluation framework designed to assess transparency, accountability, and institutional effectiveness across Nigeria’s 36 states.
Established to deepen democratic governance, the index evaluates states using rigorous methodologies, including
Nationwide citizen and stakeholder surveys,
Expert assessments by governance professionals,
Review of official government documents, and Data-driven statistical analysis,
Multi-layered verification processes
For the 2025 edition, over 12,600 data entries were generated from approximately 350 governance indicators per state, making the report one of the most comprehensive governance assessment tools in Nigeria. States like Kano achieving Category A – Exceptional Performance scored between 85% and 100%, demonstrating strong adherence to global best practices in governance.
Recognition and National Significance*
As part of the official unveiling of the report, GOMEP Nigeria announced that the ten top-performing states, including Kano, will be formally honoured with Certificates of Exceptional Performance. In recognition of Kano State’s outstanding achievement, a high-level delegation from GOMEP Nigeria is scheduled to embark on a media project tour and courtesy visit to the Kano State Government later next month. The visit will include Formal presentation of the full GATI Report, Official conferment of the Certificate of Exceptional Performance on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and Strategic media engagement highlighting Kano’s governance reforms and development strides
A Model for Governance Reform*
Kano State’s transformation from an average-performing state to one of Nigeria’s top governance leaders underscores a critical message from the 2025 GATI Report: intentional reforms, strong political will, and institutional discipline can deliver measurable governance results within a short period.
The state’s performance not only elevates its national standing but also positions it as a model for other states seeking to strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizen-centered governance.
The elevation of Kano State into the elite league of top-performing states in Nigeria’s governance index marks a defining moment in its administrative history. It reflects a deliberate shift towards responsible leadership, institutional integrity, and sustainable development.
As GOMEP Nigeria continues to expand the GATI initiative as a national governance barometer, Kano’s success story stands as compelling evidence that transformative leadership and strategic reforms remain the of exceptional governance.
