The Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed Comarde Nura Iro Ma’aji, a renowned Governance and Policy Development Specialist with nearly two decades of impactful experience, as the newest Commissioner in his cabinet.
Comrade Ma’aji has demonstrated expertise in Policy Design, Strategy Development, Education, Anticorruption, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Democracy Development. Over the years, he has developed strategic tools such as performance scorecards, advocacy toolkits, and action plans, while ensuring clear and effective communication of project achievements. His work has consistently focused on improving governance and enhancing service delivery through collaboration with stakeholders and partners.
Currently, . Ma’aji serves as the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Employment and Job Creation, having previously held the role of Special Adviser on Student Affairs, where he addressed the needs of over 7.2 million students at various educational levels in Kano State.
Ma’aji’s career spans engagements with several notable organizations and high-impact projects. He served as a Senior Program Head at the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), where he led policy and legislative advocacy initiatives focusing on education, maternal health, security, and nutrition. His efforts included organizing dialogues between the executive, legislature, and civil society organizations to bridge policy gaps and improve service delivery.
As Zonal Coordinator for the World Bank/Nigeria Interfaith Action Association (NIFAA) Malaria Prevention Program, he trained over 13,600 faith leaders in delivering malaria prevention messages. Similarly, in his role with the Dangote Foundation, he coordinated economic empowerment programs across four states, training beneficiaries and disbursing start-up capital to foster entrepreneurship.
He has also worked as a consultant with organizations such as UNICEF, IPAS, and USAID-supported initiatives, contributing to advocacy strategies, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and accountability mechanisms. Notably, he developed a reader-friendly Index Performance Card to assess education fund utilization for the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD).
In addition to his public service roles, Ma’aji is the founder and director of Annoor Science Academy (ASA), an institution that integrates Nigerian, British, and American curricula, providing high-quality education to over 800 students. He also serves as a lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, where he is actively engaged in teaching, research, and mentorship.
Ma’aji holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Ph.D. in Political Science (ongoing), and master’s degrees in Political Science, Public Policy, Development Studies, and Crime Management, all from Bayero University, Kano. A prolific researcher, he has published extensively on governance, democracy, youth movements, and policy development.
Recognized for his impactful contributions, Ma’aji has received numerous awards, including the Nigerian Youth Leadership Award by LEAP Africa and honors for excellence in public service. Fluent in English and Hausa, he is passionate about reading, writing, and fostering innovative solutions to societal challenges.
