Kano State Government has inaugurated a new Technical Working Group (TWG) on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), as part of ongoing efforts to enhance peacebuilding across the state.
Inaugurating the Group, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, said the TWG was established to develop and coordinate evidence-based, community-driven strategies aimed at preventing the seeds of extremism from taking root.
He added that the Group will focus on understanding the drivers of radicalization, strengthening resilience at all levels of society, and ensuring that its response is guided by compassion, inclusivity, and justice.
Commissioner Waiya explained that preventing extremism is not the responsibility of government alone; it requires the collective efforts of educators, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organizations, youth groups, security agencies, and national and international partners.
He assured the commitment of the Kano State Government, through the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, to support the successful implementation of the TWG’s mandate by providing the necessary space, required resources, and an open-door policy to facilitate the Group’s work.
The Commissioner expressed confidence that the Technical Working Group will harmonize diverse stakeholder perspectives and produce a robust State Action Plan, which will also be domesticated across all local government areas in Kano State.
He directed the Group’s Secretariat to produce a costed operational plan within three months, ahead of the validation of the Kano State Action Plan on PCVE. The plan is expected to be launched by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, before the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Members of the Technical Working Group include: Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya (Coordinating Chairman); Honourable Commissioner for Science,Technology and Innovation, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata; Barrister Aisha Salisu; and Mustapha Gambo.
Other members are: AbdulRahman Aliyu, Abdullahi Nuhu Wali, Muhammad Abubakar, Grace Musa, Peter Hassan Tijani, Fatima Ahmad, Mansur Kurugu, Jamila Musa, and others
The rest include: Professor Adamu Idris Tanko, Vice Chancellor Khairun University, Malam Y Z. Yau, among others.
Responding on behalf of the members, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad expressed delight that the Kano State Government is committed to supporting the fight against violent extremism, noting that the Group will work diligently to produce meaningful outcomes.
