Dr. Dahiru Hashim’s Environmental Leadership Yields Tangible Gains in Kano

Since assuming office as Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change in Kano State, Dr. Dahiru Muhammad Hashim has steered a positive environmental agenda that is earning national recognition.

Appointed at the start of 2025, he brought a fresh sense of urgency to tackling climate change, environmental degradation and sustainable development in one of Nigeria’s most populous states.

One of Dr. Hashim’s first major achievements was the development and unveiling of the Kano State Climate Change Policy, a comprehensive framework designed to institutionalize climate action across critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, transport, health and waste management.

The policy was created through an inclusive process involving multiple ministries and stakeholders, setting a roadmap for both mitigation and adaptation strategies in the state.

Under his leadership, Kano State has made headline progress in national climate governance standings. In the 2025 Subnational Climate Governance Performance Ranking, Kano surged from 35th place to 4th nationally, a remarkable climb that climate experts describe as one of the most dramatic improvements in recent Nigerian history.

This achievement reflects deliberate reforms and greater institutional coordination driven by the ministry.

Dr. Hashim has also prioritized climate resilience and land restoration efforts, particularly through ambitious tree-planting campaigns aimed at reversing desertification and land degradation.

 Government statements reveal that tens of thousands of seedlings are being nurtured and distributed across the state as part of a “Five Million Tree Planting Campaign,” contributing to enhanced biodiversity and environmental health.

To bolster forest protection, the ministry under his guidance deployed 100 newly recruited forest guards trained to safeguard forest reserves and prevent illegal logging. This move represents a significant shift toward community-based conservation and environmental security, with guards drawn from their local communities to improve effectiveness.

In the realm of agriculture and food security, Dr. Hashim has pushed for climate-smart farming solutions, including the inspection and support of greenhouse projects at the Audu Bako College of Agriculture. These initiatives aim to equip the next generation of farmers with tools and knowledge to thrive despite climate stressors.

Beyond policy and field programmes, the Commissioner has emphasized the importance of strengthening environmental governance through new laws and regulations. Efforts are underway to revise state environmental bylaws to improve enforcement, curb pollution, and ensure that industrial and residential waste management meets modern standards — though this work remains ongoing.

Dr. Hashim’s leadership has not gone unnoticed by peers and partners. His work has helped attract technical assistance from development projects and civil society organizations, and has fostered stronger collaboration between government, local communities and international bodies focused on climate action.

Community engagement has been central to his approach. Through public sensitisation campaigns, educational programmes and inclusive planning forums, the ministry has worked to ensure that ordinary residents play an active role in protecting their environment and adapting to climate impacts.

As Kano continues to consolidate these gains, Dr. Hashim remains committed to deepening environmental reforms, improving climate resilience and positioning the state as a leader in sustainable development in Nigeria’s Northwest. His first year in office suggests that Kano may yet top national rankings and attract further support for its environmental agenda in the years ahead.