Gov Yusuf declares BUK-Rimin Zakara land crisis over

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has declared an end to the decades-old land dispute between Bayero University Kano (BUK) and communities around Rimin Zakara and Rijiyar Zaki, saying more than 6,000 claims have been processed under its compensation and resettlement programme.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was represented by the commissioner, projects monitoring and evaluation, Nura Iro Ma’aji, made the declaration on Monday, said the crisis had persisted for almost 50 years, generating litigation, mistrust, encroachment and violent confrontations that affected the development of BUK and, at various times, resulted in loss of lives.

“Today, we are not here to recount the history of Rimin Zakara. We are here to close it,” Yusuf said, adding that the government had chosen “justice with compassion” by protecting BUK while addressing the plight of residents who purchased land in good faith.

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He said the state government had committed billions of naira to compensation and resettlement, while BUK made a significant sacrifice by conceding portions of land originally reserved for its future expansion.

According to him, more than 85 per cent of BUK’s landholding remains preserved for the university’s present and future development.

The governor expressed appreciation to the university’s management, Governing Council and entire community for their patience and cooperation, assuring that the government would continue to protect BUK’s lawful boundaries and support its expansion.

Yusuf, however, warned that the settlement should not be seen as the government validating illegal land transactions, saying the compensation granted to innocent purchasers must not become “a business model for land grabbers.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar, said more than 6,000 claims and interests were identified and processed, with residential plots allocated to verified beneficiaries under the approved Rimin Zakara/Rijiyar Zaki and Jajira/Garun-Iya schemes.

He said the dispute originated from the government’s acquisition of land in the 1980s for the establishment and future development of BUK, but unresolved compensation, ancestral claims and boundary issues were later worsened by urbanisation, illegal occupation and speculative land transactions.

Umar said the government’s decision to compensate affected purchasers was based on humanitarian considerations, stressing that many residents bought the land for value and in good faith without knowing that the sellers lacked lawful title.

He disclosed that the High Court of Justice No. 11, in Suit No. K/M1638/2026 delivered on August 18, upheld the acquisition of the affected land for overriding public interest, ordered compensation for verified claims and authorised lawful clearance after compliance with compensation requirements.

The commissioner said that from August 31, all land within the finally surveyed and demarcated boundaries reserved for BUK would be protected exclusively for the university, while government roads, infrastructure and other public lands would also be protected from encroachment.

He warned that individuals, agents or groups who sell, occupy, develop or interfere with the protected lands would face legal action, while genuine beneficiaries whose compensation process remains outstanding would continue to be processed. He called on BUK, affected communities, traditional leaders and security agencies to support the implementation of the settlement.