Gov Yusuf appoints new Chief of Staff 6 months after scrapping office

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved the appointment of Dr. Suleiman Wali Sani, mni, as the Chief of Staff, Government House, Kano. This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday. Daily Trust reports that the office of the Chief of Staff was scrapped in […]

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved the appointment of Dr. Suleiman Wali Sani, mni, as the Chief of Staff, Government House, Kano.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday.

Daily Trust reports that the office of the Chief of Staff was scrapped in December after the sack of the immediate past occupier, Shehu Wada Sagagi, who was later appointed the Commissioner in charge of ministry of commerce and investment.

Dr. Sani, an accomplished medical doctor, policy expert, and retired Permanent Secretary, brings over four decades of distinguished public service to the new role.

Until his latest appointment, he served as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civil Service Matters.

A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with MB, BS degrees, Dr. Sani further enhanced his leadership credentials with a diploma from Bayero University, Kano, and the prestigious mni certificate from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.

Over the years, he held several top administrative positions, including Director General in the Ministries of Health and Commerce, Executive Secretary, and Permanent Secretary in key state institutions.

He also led major state hospitals such as the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital as Chief Medical Director.

Throughout his career, Dr. Sani has contributed immensely to health policy, civil service reform, and social development, participating in over 40 state and national committees and representing Nigeria in international medical and administrative assignments.

In a related development, Governor Yusuf has also appointed a highly decorated retired infantry officer with over 35 years of service in the Nigerian Army, Major General Mohammed Sani (Rtd.), who held several key command and staff positions and played critical roles in peacekeeping, conflict resolution and national security operations, as the new Director General of Special Services at the Government House, Kano.

Maj. Gen. Sani, a seasoned military officer, served the Nigerian Army in various strategic and operational roles before his retirement.

According to the Governor’s Spokesperson, the decision to restore the Office of the Chief of Staff—after it was scrapped in December 2024—is part of the ongoing efforts by His Excellency Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to strengthen governance and service delivery in Kano State.

While congratulating the new appointees, the two key roles are expected to assume office with immediate effect.