Former Kano State governor and presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has been honoured with a Human Capital Development Excellence Award in the United Kingdom in recognition of his contributions to education and national development.
The award was conferred by the Nigerian Association Tyne and Wear during its annual award night held in Newcastle on Saturday.
The event attracted members of the Nigerian diaspora, community leaders, and professionals from across the UK.
Organisers said the recognition was based on Mr Kwankwaso’s longstanding record in public service, particularly his investments in education, youth empowerment, and institutional development during his tenure as governor and in other national assignments.
Mr Kwankwaso, who governed Kano State between 1999–2003 and 2011–2015, is widely credited with advancing human capital development through policies that expanded access to education.
His administration established universities and other tertiary institutions, alongside scholarship programmes that produced hundreds of PhD holders and thousands of graduates across diverse fields.
The award was received on his behalf by Dr. Hamisu Muhammad, Global Coordinator of the Kwankwasiyya Diaspora.
In a message delivered at the event, Mr Kwankwaso expressed appreciation to the organisers for the honour, reaffirming his commitment to Nigeria’s development.
“I thank the organisers for finding me worthy of this recognition. I remain committed to giving my best to the development of Nigeria,” he said.
He stressed the importance of education as a cornerstone of national progress, noting that sustainable development can only be achieved through deliberate investment in human capital.
“The only way to achieve lasting development is through human capital development,” he stated, adding that the presence of beneficiaries of his scholarship initiatives at the event underscores the enduring impact of such policies.
Speaking after receiving the award, Mr Muhammad said his nomination to represent the former governor reflects Kwankwaso’s commitment to youth empowerment and leadership development.
“His decision to send me here is a clear example of his belief in young people and the confidence he places in the next generation,” he said.
The event also highlighted growing recognition of Kwankwaso’s contributions among Nigerians in the diaspora, as well as his continued influence in discussions around education, governance, and development.
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