Kaduna Gov defends tough reforms, says results emerging

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has defended his administration’s tough reform measures, describing them as necessary steps to stabilise public finances, strengthen governance and create a predictable business environment.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Mrs Patience Fakai, stated this on Saturday at the opening of the 47th Kaduna International Trade Fair.

He said the reforms were already yielding positive results, noting that Kaduna State has ranked first in Nigeria’s Subnational Fiscal Transparency Index for two consecutive years. According to him, the achievement reflects the state’s commitment to openness, accountability and prudent public financial management.

Sani described the theme of the trade fair, “From Reforms to Results: Economic Transformation through Sustainable Local Content Development,” as timely, stressing that investors are naturally drawn to environments with clear governance structures and credible financial systems.

“Evidence shows that subnational governments with higher fiscal transparency attract more private investment and enjoy stronger investor confidence due to reduced information asymmetry and governance risk,” he said.

He added that Kaduna’s performance enhances trade, lowers the cost of doing business and positions the state as a reliable destination for both domestic and international investors.

The governor also recalled a recent capacity-strengthening workshop organised by the Kaduna State Fiscal Responsibility Commission for public fund managers, emphasising that the prudent and transparent use of public resources is critical to sustaining investor confidence.

Sani noted that the state’s emphasis on local content development is deliberate, arguing that industrialisation must be anchored on local enterprises, skills and value chains.

“From agribusiness and solid minerals to manufacturing, ICT and services, Kaduna State remains committed to policies that support indigenous businesses while remaining open to global capital and expertise,” he added.

Delivering a keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nura Abba Rimi, disclosed that Nigeria’s Trade Policy has entered the execution phase.

“Our success will be measured by new factories and exports passing through our ports, benefiting local traders and innovators,” he said.

Rimi noted that the concept of local content is expanding beyond the oil sector to become central to Nigeria’s industrial growth and wealth creation.

“By prioritising Nigerian-made goods, we keep wealth within the country and support a circular economy. Digital platforms have been created to track trade, encourage local sourcing among major investors and eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, enabling faster market access for exporters,” he said.

He added that the Federal Government is addressing infrastructure gaps and improving access to finance for businesses that source locally, while urging exhibitors to prioritise local suppliers to strengthen the economy.

In his welcome address, the President of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), Alhaji Farouk Suleiman, acknowledged that while Nigeria is undergoing necessary reforms, prosperity ultimately depends on production, skills and enterprise.

“Only production creates prosperity. Only skills create jobs. Only enterprise creates wealth, and that is where chambers of commerce must lead,” he said.

Suleiman disclosed that the new KADCCIMA leadership is pursuing an institutional turnaround agenda aimed at transforming the chamber into a policy advocate, business accelerator, skills development platform and year-round engine of economic growth.

He identified youth and women skills development as a top priority, describing them as the country’s greatest resource.

“Under our new direction, KADCCIMA will champion vocational and technical skills acquisition, digital and ICT training, agro-processing and light manufacturing skills, entrepreneurship incubation, mentorship, market access and affordable financing linkages,” he said.

He also pledged collaboration with government, development partners and the private sector to establish Skills Acquisition and Enterprise Development Centres to empower young people and women to become job creators rather than job seekers.

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