How Governor Uba Sani’s Smart City Project Will Change the Face of Governance in Nigeria

By Femi Adi, Kaduna

When Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, was sworn in on May 29, 2023, he promised to inject new ideas of leadership, emphasizing his SUSTAIN Agenda to change the face of governance in Kaduna and beyond. Within one year in office, he achieved this feat and continued to push for more radical development changes focused on good governance principles based on world standards.

Despite facing a critical period of cash crunch due to the heavy loan burden, Governor Sani remained undeterred in his commitment to create an enabling environment for business and economic prosperity. His administrative process, coupled with his smart vision, led President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite him to join the delegation on a state visit to China.

Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build High-Level China-Africa Community with Shared Future

During the visit, Governor Sani and other senior officials received the President in Beijing for the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit. The theme was “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build High-Level China-Africa Community with Shared Future.” For Governor Sani, this was an opportunity to meet with Chinese corporate CEOs and discuss growth and development.

After China and Nigeria elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Governor Sani expressed excitement about partnering with China on a “smart city” project, aligning with Nigeria’s industrialization ¹. The project, built in cooperation with Huawei, aims to enhance public security, efficiency, transparency, and establish an e-government, making education, healthcare, and talent cultivation “smart” while boosting renewable energy.

Recently, the state partnered with North China’s Hebei Province to construct an industrial park

Governor Sani hopes to form a joint committee with Huawei within weeks. This project is part of broader deals between China and Nigeria signed during the 2024 FOCAC Summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu announced the elevation of China-Nigeria ties and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents.

Kaduna State boasts Nigeria’s first modernized railroad, the Abuja-Kaduna Railway, built based on Chinese technical standards. Recently, the state partnered with North China’s Hebei Province to construct an industrial park.