The making of the ‘jagora’: How Mukhtar Yakasai rose from local govt to Kano cabinet

In Kano politics, the journey from grassroots leadership to the state cabinet is rarely a straight path. For Hon. Dr. Mukhtar Ishaq Yakasai, popularly known as ‘jagora’, that journey has taken him from the chairmanship of Kano Municipal Local Government Council through a federal electoral contest and a previous cabinet appointment to his latest position as Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

His political journey spans different administrations and responsibilities, reflecting years of involvement in local politics, public administration and party activities. On October 30, 2026, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf swore him in as a commissioner, marking his return to the Kano State cabinet under a different political administration.

Building a political identity at the grassroots

Yakasai’s rise in Kano politics is closely linked to his time as Executive Chairman of Kano Municipal Local Government Council, one of the state’s most prominent local government areas and a major centre of commercial and political activities.

As chairman, he occupied a position that brought him face to face with the everyday concerns of residents. From community engagement and local administration to interactions with market operators, traditional stakeholders and youth groups, the office offered him an opportunity to build relationships across different sections of the municipality.

It was during this period that he became popularly known as ‘jagora’, a Hausa word meaning leader. The name gradually became associated with his political identity and public engagements.

His experience at the local government level provided the foundation for his subsequent political activities, giving him exposure to the demands of public office and the realities of grassroots politics.

Taking his ambition to the federal level

Having established himself in local politics, Yakasai sought to expand his political reach during the 2019 general elections.

He emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Kano Municipal Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, taking his political ambition beyond local government administration.

Although he did not win the election, the contest added another chapter to his political career and demonstrated his interest in representing his constituency at the federal level.

It also kept him firmly within the wider political activities of Kano, particularly within the APC, where he continued to build his political profile.

From municipal chairman to commissioner

Yakasai’s next major political responsibility came with his appointment as Commissioner for Special Duties under the administration of former Governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The appointment brought him into the Kano State Executive Council, giving him another opportunity to serve at the state level after his experience in local government administration.

As Commissioner for Special Duties, he was involved in responsibilities relating to strategic government assignments and intergovernmental engagements. The position further exposed him to the workings of the state government and the administrative demands of executive office.

His transition from local government chairman to commissioner marked an important stage in his public service journey, placing him among those who had served at both grassroots and state levels of governance.

A new chapter under Abba Kabir Yusuf

On October 30, 2026, Yakasai returned to the Kano State Executive Council when Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf swore him in as Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The appointment is particularly noteworthy because it brings him into the cabinet of an administration led by a different political party from the one under which he previously served.

His new assignment places him in charge of a ministry with responsibilities that directly affect the welfare of vulnerable residents across Kano State. These include coordinating humanitarian interventions, supporting disadvantaged households and contributing to government efforts to reduce poverty.

Unlike his previous portfolio, the new ministry requires close attention to social welfare programmes and the delivery of assistance to people facing economic and humanitarian challenges.

For Yakasai, his experience in grassroots administration could provide useful insight into the needs of local communities and the importance of ensuring that government interventions reach their intended beneficiaries.

Ultimately, his performance will be judged by the effectiveness of the programmes implemented and the difference they make in the lives of ordinary residents.

Next chapter for ‘jagora’

From the chairmanship of Kano Municipal Local Government Council to the 2019 House of Representatives contest, his appointment as Commissioner for Special Duties and now his return to the cabinet as Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Yakasai’s political career has passed through several stages.

Each position has brought different responsibilities and opportunities, shaping his experience in local administration, electoral politics and state governance.

His latest appointment presents another challenge, particularly in a ministry where the expectations of the public are closely tied to tangible results.

For a politician popularly known as ‘Jagora’, the new responsibility offers an opportunity to extend his grassroots political experience to a wider state audience.

Ultimately, ‘jagora’s’ journey from grassroots politics to the Kano cabinet marks another chapter in his public service career. His new assignment offers an opportunity to turn years of political and administrative experience into meaningful interventions that improve the lives of vulnerable residents across the state.