By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has announced a major redevelopment initiative for the Farm Centre GSM Market, pledging an investment of over N2 billion to restore, expand, and modernize the bustling commercial hub.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Saturday.
The intervention, according to the governor, is a direct response to recent fire outbreaks that devastated parts of the market and a broader effort to meet the growing needs of traders and customers.
Governor Yusuf made the announcement during a visit to the market on Friday where he was warmly received by market leaders and traders.
The multi-billion-naira project will involve the reconstruction of the affected sections, expansion of the market through the acquisition of additional space, and the establishment of a fire station within the market, fully equipped with modern firefighting tools.
It will also include the installation of solar-powered streetlights to improve security and visibility, construction of a pedestrian bridge to enhance access and safety, as well as the development of drainage systems to control flooding and the rehabilitation of access roads within and around the market.
As part of the broader vision, the governor said the government is committed to making the Farm Centre GSM Market an international trading destination with access to neighbouring countries, thereby boosting cross-border commerce and regional integration.
The Kano State Government is also set to establish a dedicated management structure for the GSM Market to ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability of operations.
Governor Yusuf also urged traders and market users to cooperate with security agencies in combating the menace of phone snatching and petty crimes that have become prevalent in the area.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, noting that the state’s 26 vocational training institutes will continue to serve as platforms for skills development, job creation, and sustainable livelihoods.
In his welcome address, Comrade Jamilu Gama, Chairman of the Market, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the governor for the timely intervention.
He said the traders were deeply encouraged by the government’s concern and swift action, especially after the losses suffered in the recent inferno.
The Farm Centre GSM Market, located in the heart of Kano metropolis, operates across 20 plazas and is a major hub for mobile phones, gadgets, and related services.
It directly employs over 39,000 youth, making it one of the largest tech-related informal job markets in Northern Nigeria.
Governor Yusuf’s visit and the funding pledge have been widely hailed by stakeholders as a bold and strategic step toward economic recovery, infrastructure renewal, and youth inclusion.
