Kofar Nassarawa is one of the most famous ancient gates of Kano, historically believed to be the route through which the Kano army set out in search of victory, or where those embarking on a business journey would pass in the hope of success. The name Nassarawa is derived from the Hausa word Nasara, meaning “victory.” Coincidentally, it was also the gate through which British colonial administrators entered Kano. A Native Authority administrative building once stood in the quarters as part of the system of indirect rule. In Hausa, a British person is called Nasara, and so some consider the name to signify “the gate of the British.”
The residential quarters of Kofar Nassarawa developed as people from various towns and villages within Kano State and neighbouring states settled there for diverse purposes — government work, company jobs, private businesses, as well as western and Islamic education. Many settlers bore the names of their hometowns or villages, preserving their origins in their identities. Strategically located, Kofar Nassarawa links the Kano State Government House with the Kano Emir’s Palace. It is the heart of Kano city and a gateway that seems to determine a visitor’s purpose. For education, one takes the BUK Road, passing institutions such as the School of Hygiene, Sheikh Isyaka Rabiu University, Kano Polytechnic, School of Legal Studies, Bayero University Kano, and North-West University. For business, Ibrahim Taiwo Road leads to bustling markets such as Kwari, Wambai, Sabon Gari, and Singer. For official matters, State Road leads directly to the Government House and other agencies. For cultural heritage, Emir’s Road leads to the Emir’s Palace, Gidan Makama Museum, Kurmi Market, Kofar Mata Dyeing Pits, and the historical Dala and Gwaron Dutse hills.
Kofar Nassarawa offers its residents a blend of modern and traditional life. Positioned between Nassarawa GRA, the former British colonial quarters, and the inner city, it grants exposure to modernity while maintaining the wisdom and traditions of the ancient city. Being the major entrance gate into Kano city, the residents of Kofar Nassarawa are often the first to give a warm reception to presidents, prime ministers, and other international dignitaries who traditionally pay homage to the Emir of Kano. The quarters were also pioneers in forming an orphanage and widows’ association following the institutionalisation of the Sharia system in the state. Alhaji Ado Muhammad, a member of the governing board of Freedom Radio and Chairman of the Hisbah Independent Committee, selected Kofar Nassarawa and Gama for the pilot programme. Alhaji Ghazali Inusa Sarina was elected Chairman for the Kofar Nassarawa Orphanage and Widows’ Association and I also served as Secretary. The success of this project led to the spread of orphanage associations across Kano State and into other states.
The area is surrounded by notable schools and institutions such as North-West University (City Campus), Kano Governor’s College, Kano Technical College, Kano Day Science Secondary Schools (Male & Female), Skyline University, Sabuwar Kofa Secondary School, Kwalli Primary School, School for Arabic Studies (SAS), Hassana Sufi Girls Secondary School, Kofar Nassarawa Primary and Secondary School, the British Council Library, and the Federal Library. It is also close to major government establishments such as Gidan Murtala, Audu Bako Secretariat housing many ministries and agencies, WRECA Engineering Section, Kano State Printing Press, Bamali Nuhu Maternity Hospital, Science Secondary School Board, Kano State Teachers Board, and Kano State Scholarship Board, along with two broadcasting stations — Kano State Radio and Rahma Radio. The quarters are well connected with access roads, link roads, and a multi-million-naira flyover. A railway line crosses the area, and the Kano Cooperative — one of the first supermarkets to be established in the city — was once located there. After the collapse of the Cooperative Supermarket, other popular shops emerged such as Faragai Store, Danladi Kabiru Store, and Samila Shopping Centre. Later, a modern business store was built along Obasanjo Link Road, now known as Jifatu Store. Popular mosques include Masallacin Dan Zariya, Masallacin Malam Abdu Mai ’Yan Makaranta, Masallacin Barau Mai Wake, and Masallacin Ihyaussunna, which has now been upgraded to a Friday mosque.
Over the years, Kofar Nassarawa has produced prominent figures who have served Kano State, Nigeria, and humanity at large. These include the late Alhaji Ahmadu Rufa’i Daura, Headmaster of Kano Middle School and private teacher to the late Emir Ado Bayero and late Ambassador Ado Sanusi (Dan Iya), whose children include Ambassador Kabir Ahmed, Hajiya Amina Maude (retired director), and Dr. Hussani Ahmad of BUK; the late Alhaji Barau Mai Wake, a philanthropist who donated industrial land for a cemetery near Kano Farm Centre, whose son, Alhaji Yusuf Barau, continues his charitable legacy; and Alhaji Barau Dambatta, who built the first Islamiyya school in the whole Fuskar Kudu of Kano Municipal, whose son, Alhaji Nu’uman Barau Dambatta, a retired federal permanent secretary, asphalted the quarters before leaving office and now supports orphans. Also notable are the late Alhaji Musa Gashash, regional minister in the First Republic; the late Alhaji Jibir Daura, a one-time teacher at Kano Middle School between 1930 and 1948 who became Magatakarda to the Sarkin Kano in 1949, whose eldest son, Alhaji Mahdi Jibir, became a retired ambassador; and Alhaji Yunusa Sarina, a philanthropist whose sons include Alhaji Sani Yunusa, founder of Sani Brothers Transport, and Alhaji Abdulmunafi Yunusa, owner of Azman Airline and Azman University, a family that has provided jobs to many Nigerians.
Other respected retired civil servants include the late Alhaji Aliyu Daneji, late Alhaji Muhammad Wudil, late Alhaji Garba Dubi, late Alhaji Sani Bichi, late Adamu Aminu, late Alhaji Lawan Gwaram, late Alhaji Lawal Salihu Daura, late Alhaji Rufai Aminu (Maaji), late Alhaji Ado Action, late Ghali Ahmad Rufai, late Alhaji Idi Malami, late Alhaji Inusa Kachaco, late Balarabe Baffa, Alhaji Ali Captain, Mai Nassara Kofar Nassarawa, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Bichi, Alhaji Aminu Ahmad Rufai, Alhaji Auwalu Kwagwal, and Kawu Abdullahi (Shirwa). Serving civil servants who have reached directorate cadres in the federal civil service include Alhassan Suleiman (Deputy Director, OHCSF), Rabiu Shu’aibu (Deputy Director, Labour), Alhaji Sani Baba (Deputy Director, Transport), Nasiru Jibrin Madugu (Assistant Director, Information), and Muazu Muktar (Assistant Director, Information). Those in directorate positions in the state government include Hajiya Binta Muhammad Yakasai (Director, Women Affairs), Hajiya Dije Ado Yakasai (Principal, STSB), Malam Kabiru Isah (Principal, STSB), Salisu Muhammad Achabe (Director, OHCS), and Alhaji Salisu Ibrahim Yaro (Deputy Director, SUBEB).
The quarters have also produced notable Islamic scholars. Among the past are the late Malam Usman (Malam Makaho), late Malam Abdu Mai ’Yan Makaranta, late Malam Ibrahim Na Takai, late Malam Dan Dabo, late Malam Nagwaram, late Malam Hassan and his son late Malam Idi Layi Kofa, late Malam Mammam Da, late Alaramma Malam Hassan (Liman), late Malam Abubakar Bawa, and late Alaramma Muhammad Majabaki. The present generation includes Malam Mamman Mahmoud, Sheikh Dr. Sani Asuwad, and Sheikh Salisu Abubakar Bawa. Retired jurists from Kofar Nassarawa include late Alkali Ali, late Alkali Mansur, late Alkali Kabir, and Khadi Shehu Matawalle.
In military and paramilitary service, the quarters have produced the late Corporal Ibrahim, Alhaji Lawan (Customs), late Corporal Haruna, retired IGP Sule Abba, Alhaji Sani Madugu (retired Controller of Customs), and retired Major Ado (Kwalabe). Serving personnel include Major General Awwal Haruna and Colonel Sanusi M. Bello. In business, Kofar Nassarawa’s history includes the late Alhaji Na Muazu, late Alhaji Ibrahim Yaro, late Alhaji Sharu Salisu, late Alhaji Magaji Mai Siminti, late Alhaji Bello Usman (Sarkin Mubi), late Alhaji Jibrin Madugu, late Alhaji Babba Dankamasho, late Alhaji Isah Mainama, late Alhaji Na Iya, late Malam Baba Wudil, late Balarabe Wudil, late Alhaji Sidi Jallaba, late Alhaji Yahaya Garwaji, late Alhaji Datti Kwankwaso, late Alhaji Sani Haladu, late Alhaji Isah Rota, late Alhaji Abdu Mai Doya, late Alhaji Ado Na Kansila, late Alhaji Kwagwal, late Alhaji Malami Wudil, late Alhaji Abdu Dagi, late Alhaji Na Marmara, and late Alhaji Tsalha Zaria. The women traders of blessed memory include Haj. Yar Sadaka, Yar Baba, Haj. Amina Mai Tuwo, Haj. Maman Biyu, Haj. Yar Auta, Haj. Abu, Haj. Dela, Haj. Tasambawa, Haj. Dubu, and Haj. Ratata. In modern business, the quarters boast Ambassador Muktar Gashash, Alhaji Ghazali Yunusa Sarina, Alhaji Yusuf Barau, Alhaji Mustapha Yunusa Sarina, Alhaji Hamidan Madugu, Alhaji Abdullahi Dan Asabe, Alhaji Ibrahim Ayo, Alhaji Najiyu Yunusa Sarina, Alhaji Yakubu Barau, and Alhaji Mustapha Bashir Layi Mubi.
The current Sarkin Kofa is Ibrahim Ahmadu, who succeeded his father, Sarkin Kofa Ahmadu. The appointment of a new ward head remains on hold following the death of the late Alhaji Auwalu Ibrahim, who succeeded Malam Shehu Mai Kiran Sallah, appointed in an acting capacity after the dethronement of Mai Unguwa Alhaji Baba, son of Alhaji Mamman Mai Biredi. The quarters also take pride in many young educationists contributing to academia and national development, including Professor Junai Kabir (ABU), Professor Sani Usman (ABU), Associate Professor Sunusi Yuguda Kofar Nassarawa (BUK), and Dr. Kabir Usman. From the diaspora, notable figures include Professor Ahmad Awaisu (Qatar), Dr. Aminu Bello (UK), Dr. Saleem Idris Malami (UK), and Mohammad Qaddam Isah (UAE).
The sporting heritage of Kofar Nassarawa includes football clubs such as Golden Gate, Red Fire, New System United, Young Lion, Pele Rovers, and Pele Star, with memorable players like Jalaye, Adidas, Ale One, Chopper, Isa Complex, Yusif Lorry, Baba Keshi, Mustapha Chakas, Auwalu Lato, Mustapha Sanabe, Akey One, Ahmadu Rossi, Dan Asabe Kichina, Sabo Best, Dafsan, Musa Attacker, Isa Audu, Chanchas, Ozgalaya, Shangeliya, Dan Asabe Brazil, Labe, Isa Malele, Sani Baba, Ado Madugu, Salisu Yar Giwa, Abba Barau Dambatta, Nura Mota, Ila Baya, Babangida Naba, Babangida Little, Aminu Tsiga, and Adamu Arrow. Community associations have always been active, including Muryar Jama’ar Kofar Nassarawa, led by Barrister Bello Aminu and Malam Bara’u as Chairman and Secretary; the Kofar Nassarawa Development Association (KONDA), led by Usman Zahairu Sarina and Nasiru Garba; and the Kofar Nassarawa Youth Movement, led by Sule Raji and Mustapha Umar Dala.
As an indigene of Kofar Nassarawa, I cherish its rich history, cultural significance, and the role it plays in shaping lives. It is more than a location — it is a living heritage, a place where tradition meets progress, and where the spirit of Kano thrives.
Nura Ado Muhammad K/Nassarawa Deputy Registrar FECORLART -KURU Jos
