The Kwankwasiyya Movement has questioned the Kano State Government’s reported plan to involve the state’s 44 local government councils in a proposed ₦55 billion loan. The movement is demanding explanations on the purpose of the borrowing, the projects to be financed and how the debt would be repaid. Its spokesperson, Dr Habibu Sale Mohammed, raised the concerns in a statement issued on Sunday, 18 October 2026, warning that each council could face a financial obligation of about ₦1.3 billion.
According to the movement, the proposed loan would reportedly fund the establishment of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centres, an unspecified development project and an empowerment programme. Its figures indicate that each council could be allocated ₦632.57 million for a CBT centre, ₦500 million for the unnamed project and ₦117.41 million for the empowerment initiative. The group called for the figures to be verified against the original loan documents and urged the state government to explain the basis for the proposed expenditure.
The movement questioned why local government councils should incur substantial debts for projects reportedly to be managed by the state government instead of independently determining their financial priorities. While acknowledging the importance of educational infrastructure and empowerment programmes, it insisted that the initiatives must be transparent, lawful and financially sustainable. It also raised concerns about the timing of the proposed borrowing ahead of the 2027 general elections, while clarifying that it was not alleging the loan was intended to finance election activities.
Kwankwasiyya demanded details of the proposed CBT centres, including their locations, feasibility studies and cost assessments. It also asked the government to identify the project allocated ₦500 million per council and explain how beneficiaries of the empowerment programme would be selected. The movement further called for a full account of funds contributed or released by local councils for an earlier joint empowerment programme, particularly the monthly women’s initiative, requesting details of the total funds received, payments to beneficiaries, administrative expenses and why the programme reportedly lasted fewer than 10 months.
The movement urged the Kano State House of Assembly to clarify whether it had formally approved the proposed loan and publish the relevant resolution and supporting documents. It also appealed to the commercial bank reportedly considering the facility to verify the councils’ borrowing authority, repayment capacity, security arrangements and intended use of the funds. Citing the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment on local government financial autonomy, the group called for an independent legal assessment of the arrangement and warned that repayment obligations should not undermine councils’ ability to provide essential services.
