By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has represented Nigeria at the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) and Mayors’ Forum held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he showcased Kaduna’s transformation and development vision before an international audience of over 150 mayors, governors, and 300 city leaders from Asia, the Pacific, Europe, and Africa.
The four-day summit, themed “Collaborate. Inspire. Transform.”, provided a platform for global leaders to exchange innovative strategies for sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven urban growth.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sani delivered a presentation titled “Building Partnerships for Shared Prosperity”, highlighting Kaduna State’s progress in urban renewal, agricultural transformation, and social protection initiatives. He explained that the state’s development framework focuses on expanding opportunities, empowering citizens, and safeguarding the vulnerable, with an emphasis on economic inclusion and social welfare.
“Kaduna’s development model is built on equity, innovation, and collaboration,” Governor Sani said. “We are committed to creating a state where every citizen has access to opportunities to thrive.”
Governor Sani also featured on Expo City Dubai’s flagship podcast, where he discussed “Transforming Northern Nigeria: Leadership, Innovation, and Social Impact.” During the conversation, he emphasized that visionary leadership, technology-driven governance, and public-private partnerships are key drivers for unlocking the potential of people and cities across Nigeria.
On the sidelines of the summit, Governor Sani held a bilateral meeting with His Excellency Marwan Bin Galita, Director General of the Dubai Municipality. Their discussions focused on waste-to-energy innovation, sustainable waste management, and modern urban planning. Both parties agreed to strengthen technical cooperation and knowledge exchange to advance Kaduna’s ambition of transitioning toward a green and circular economy.
Governor Sani further noted that Kaduna’s participation at APCS 2025 underscores the state’s commitment to engaging globally while innovating locally. He said the forum provided an opportunity to share Kaduna’s success stories and attract potential partners for future investments.
“Kaduna State is ready to collaborate with international partners to build resilient cities, promote sustainability, and drive inclusive growth,” the governor stated. “We aim to position Kaduna as a model for innovation-led development not only in Nigeria but across Africa.”
The Asia Pacific Cities Summit is one of the leading global gatherings for urban policy dialogue, connecting government leaders, private sector innovators, and development experts to shape the future of cities.
