Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has immediately removed Alhaji Abdullahi Musa from his position as Head of Service, marking a significant step in the administration’s civil service reform agenda.
The decision, announced via a statement from the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Tuesday, ends a period of uncertainty. Although Musa’s official tenure as a career civil servant concluded in 2024, he was previously retained to continue leading the state’s bureaucracy despite public controversy over the extension.
Governor Yusuf stated the removal is part of a concerted effort to reposition the Kano State civil service for enhanced efficiency, discipline, and improved service delivery across government institutions. The governor thanked the outgoing Head of Service for his past contributions and dedication to the state, wishing him success in future endeavours.
Effective immediately, Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu Maimota, the Permanent Secretary for Administration and General Services at the Cabinet Office, has been appointed to serve in an acting capacity. A substantive replacement will be announced later. The former Head of Service is directed to hand over all official responsibilities to the acting Head of Service no later than Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
This leadership change underscores Governor Yusuf’s commitment to restructuring the state’s administrative framework. The move aims to instill renewed focus on merit and performance within the civil service, aligning with broader public sector reform initiatives observed in several Nigerian states. The appointment of an acting permanent secretary signals a transitional phase as the administration finalizes its long-term strategy for the service.
