Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria, recently said that good governance is the solution to security challenges in the geopolitical zone, but what concrete steps is the governor taking to provide good governance for his people and earn their trust?

Development Diaries reports that, according to the governor, the security challenges bedevilling Kaduna are an economic problem brought on by hopelessness, a lack of education, and a lack of economic prosperity.

Indeed, distrust in governance is a huge problem that needs to be tackled. Promises made by successive administrations to address these issues have often fallen short, leaving citizens disillusioned and skeptical of the government’s policies and plans.

Rampant inequality has worsened this distrust, as marginalised communities frequently bear the brunt of government neglect, and this has increased social tensions.

Moreover, persistent challenges such as widespread poverty, unemployment, and insecurity further undermine confidence in the government’s capacity to meet citizens’ basic needs.

Generally, the lack of trust in the Nigerian government’s ability to fulfill the basic needs of its citizens is deeply rooted in a history of systemic corruption, mismanagement of resources, and inadequate service delivery.

This distrust is breeding cynicism and resentment, potentially fueling social unrest.

Governor Sani has a lot to do in ensuring that his government earns the trust of the people to encourage citizens’ participation in governance.

Development Diaries calls on Governor Sani and other state governors in Nigeria to focus on addressing the root causes of citizens’ distrust by carrying out their mandate of ensuring the well-being of citizens through transparency and accountability.

Photo source: Uba Sani