Kano Governor Resolves BUK Land Dispute, 6,000 Claims Processed

On Monday, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf declared the end of a nearly 50-year land dispute between Bayero University Kano (BUK) and the surrounding communities of Rimin Zakara and Rijiyar Zaki. The governor, represented by Nura Iro Ma’aji, the commissioner for projects monitoring and evaluation, stated that over 6,000 claims had been processed under the compensation and resettlement program.

The dispute, which had led to litigation, mistrust, and violence, was exacerbated by urbanization and illegal land transactions. The state government has committed billions of naira to compensation, while BUK has conceded portions of its land for future expansion.

More than 85% of BUK’s land remains preserved for its development. Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, noted that the compensation was based on humanitarian grounds, as many residents purchased land in good faith.

The High Court of Justice No. 11 upheld the land acquisition for public interest and ordered compensation for verified claims.