Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has removed the state’s Head of Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, from office with immediate effect, in a move the administration says is aimed at overhauling the civil service for better performance.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa. He explained that the decision followed a review of the current structure and output of the state bureaucracy, as the government seeks to strengthen discipline, accountability, and service delivery across ministries, departments, and agencies.

Dawakin-Tofa said the governor acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing Head of Service, noting that Musa had served the state over the years in various capacities before rising to the top of the civil service hierarchy. The governor was quoted as expressing gratitude for Musa’s dedication and years of public service, while wishing him success in his future endeavours.

In the same directive, Governor Yusuf appointed Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu-Maimota, Permanent Secretary in charge of Administration and General Services at the Cabinet Office, to assume the role of Acting Head of Service. Shehu-Maimota, a senior career civil servant, is expected to oversee the transition and begin implementing the administration’s reform agenda within the service.

The outgoing Head of Service has been instructed to hand over all official documents, responsibilities, and property to the Acting Head of Service without delay, ensuring continuity in the management of the state’s workforce.

Government insiders say the shake-up is part of a broader restructuring drive targeting key positions in the bureaucracy, with the aim of aligning the civil service with the policy priorities of the Yusuf administration. The reforms are expected to focus on performance management, adherence to due process, and improved responsiveness to public needs.

While the government has not disclosed further details on the criteria used for the change in leadership, officials insist the move is intended to inject fresh energy into the system and reposition Kano’s civil service as a more efficient engine for development and governance.