Isiyaku Ahmed
The Kano State Government has committed to strengthening the operations of Debt Management Offices across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas to promote responsible borrowing, fiscal discipline and sustainable public debt management.
The commitment was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Kano State Debt Management Office (KSDMO), held from September 19 to 20, 2026, at the B. Nakowa Modern Guest Lodge in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The workshop, themed “Operationalizing Local Government Debt Management Offices for Sustainable Public Debt Governance and Management in Kano State,” brought together designated Debt Management Officers from the 44 LGAs, representatives of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Office of the Head of Service, development partners, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.
The participants noted that significant progress had been made since the establishment of the LGA Debt Liaison/Management Offices in January 2025, including the appointment of designated officers and two rounds of capacity-building programs.
However, the workshop identified effective operationalization and institutionalization of the 44 offices as the major challenge requiring urgent attention.
Participants identified inadequate step-down training for treasury, accounts and other personnel, insufficient operational guidelines, inadequate working materials and logistical support, weaknesses in debt documentation and reporting, and limited understanding of prudent and legally compliant borrowing at some Local Government levels as key challenges.
The workshop therefore recommended that the KSDMO engage the Chairmen of the 44 Local Government Councils to secure their commitment to providing the necessary institutional, administrative and operational support for the offices.
It also called for a review of the legal and institutional framework governing the offices, with the KSDMO expected to engage the Kano State House of Assembly on the necessary legislative process.
The participants further recommended that the KSDMO develop comprehensive operational guidelines defining the mandate, functions, procedures, reporting relationships and responsibilities of the LGA Debt Management Offices.
The 44 Local Governments were also urged to provide adequate office accommodation, equipment and working materials, while continuous capacity development and structured step-down training should be institutionalized for treasurers, accountants, planners and other relevant personnel.
The communiqué called for the establishment and maintenance of accurate and up-to-date Debt Registers by all Local Governments, with debt records progressively digitized and reports submitted promptly to relevant authorities.
It further urged Local Governments to strengthen project appraisal, investment prioritization and value-for-money assessments before contracting debt, ensuring that borrowing is directed towards economically and socially beneficial projects and complies with legal and fiscal requirements.
The workshop stressed that all borrowing and debt-related transactions must comply with the Kano State Debt Management Law and other applicable laws, regulations and procedures.
It also recommended regular technical engagement between the KSDMO and the 44 LGA Debt Management Offices, as well as relevant state institutions, including the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Office of the Head of Service.
A performance-monitoring framework was also proposed to track the functionality, reporting compliance, data quality, capacity development and overall performance of the 44 offices.
The workshop further recommended that the annual capacity-building program be sustained as an institutional mechanism for reviewing progress, addressing emerging challenges and updating the roadmap for Local Government debt governance.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Director-General of the Kano State Debt Management Office (KSDMO), Dr Hamisu Sadi Ali, appreciated the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Office of the Head of Service, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Local Government representatives, development partners, media, civil society organizations and participants for their contributions to the workshop.
He said recommendations, particularly those on providing working tools and operational support for the Local Government Debt Management Offices, would be incorporated into a report to be submitted to the Executive Governor of Kano State.
Dr. Ali also disclosed plans to engage the 44 Local Government Chairmen on their role in strengthening the operations of the offices, as well as the Kano State House of Assembly on reviewing the relevant legislation to provide a clear legal framework for their establishment, functions and responsibilities.
The DG KSDMO urged participants to translate the knowledge and recommendations from the workshop into practical action, stressing that sustained implementation would strengthen debt management, accountability and fiscal governance across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas.
