Brick By Brick: How Senator Kawu Sumaila Transformed Kano South With Tangible Development
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu, Democracy Newsline Newspaper
July 3rd, 2025.
In the ever-evolving political landscape of Nigeria, few figures have left as profound and enduring an imprint as Distinguished Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, the White Eagle of Kano South Senatorial District. His nickname isn’t just ceremonial; it is a testament to a man who soars above partisan distractions and political inertia with the poise, vision, and precision of the majestic bird he is likened to.
From the dusty streets of Sumaila town to the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly, Senator Kawu Sumaila’s political journey embodies resilience, integrity, and strategic brilliance. A grassroots mobilizer, a former aide to the President on National Assembly Matters, and a former Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Senator Sumaila has built his political capital not on rhetoric, but on visible results and a track record of unwavering service.
His leadership philosophy is rooted in discipline, inclusiveness, and internal party unity. As one of the strongest pillars within the All Progressives Congress (APC), he has played a vital role in stabilizing the party’s base in Kano and beyond, often acting as a bridge between old and young, rural and urban, traditional and modern political currents.
Unlike many whose legacies exist only in slogans, Senator Kawu Sumaila’s achievements are etched in concrete, asphalt, and human progress. Across the 16 local government areas of Kano South, development isn’t an abstract concept—it’s a living, breathing reality. Roads have been constructed where potholes once ruled, schools and vocational centers now stand where children once studied under trees, and clean water now flows in communities that once relied on unsafe sources.
These aren’t just projects. They are pathways to opportunity, built meticulously, brick by brick, under the Senator’s unwavering supervision. Some of his key achievements include:
Over 70 rural electrification projects, bringing power to forgotten communities and energizing local economies, Construction and renovation of over 50 schools, enhancing educational access and infrastructure in underserved areas, Sinking of over 100 solar-powered boreholes, solving the age-long water scarcity that plagued parts of Rano, Bunkure, and Tudun Wada,
Support for over 3,000 small businesses, particularly those led by women and youth, through grants, training, and start-up tools, and Skill acquisition programs that have empowered thousands with practical trades—from tailoring and carpentry to ICT and agribusiness.
In a political climate where handouts are too often confused with help, Senator Kawu Sumaila has carved out a unique niche with a different message: “Empower, don’t patronize.” His approach to empowerment is long-term, structural, and dignity-affirming. Rather than dole out temporary relief, he invests in people’s potential—training them, equipping them, and helping them build businesses and futures.
This commitment is evident in his entrepreneurship support scheme, which has trained thousands of youth and women in modern vocational skills while linking them to microfinance platforms. Market women have been given capital, farmers have received fertilizer and irrigation support, and artisans have been provided tools of their trade—all with an eye on sustainability and self-reliance.
Beyond the projects on ground, Senator Kawu Sumaila has become a respected voice of advocacy in the National Assembly. He has sponsored and supported several pro-people bills and motions, focusing on security, education, youth development, and federal equity. Whether it’s calling for increased federal presence in Kano South, or defending the rights of small farmers and traders, the Senator has proven to be both a watchdog and a warrior for his people.
Notably, his push for the establishment of a Federal University in Kano South is gaining traction, potentially transforming the region into a hub for academic excellence and innovation in northern Nigeria.
In a time when trust in public office is waning, Senator Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila offers a refreshing contrast—a politician whose word means action, and whose actions have uplifted countless lives. His transformation of Kano South is not just infrastructural—it’s ideological. He is redefining what it means to lead in 21st century Nigeria: not by enriching self, but by enriching others.
As his influence grows, not only within the APC but across the national political terrain, it is clear that the White Eagle is not done flying. With every road commissioned, every youth empowered, and every policy debated with the people in mind, he cements a legacy that future generations will inherit with pride.
Senator Kawu Sumaila isn’t just building projects; he’s building a new political standard—one that proves that real progress is not promised at the podium, but laid, brick by brick, in the lives of the people.
Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu is a political affairs analyst and writer with Democracy Newsline Newspaper. He can be reached at 08060017934.
