How Ganduje’s family took over Kano’s shares in ₦4bn dry port project

A new investigation has revealed that former Kano State governor and ex-APC national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, secretly transferred the state’s 20 percent equity in the Dala Inland Dry Port Limited to his children and a close associate.

The move effectively removed Kano from ownership of the project, even as Ganduje’s administration later awarded a contract worth over ₦4 billion for infrastructure that was originally the state’s responsibility under its equity agreement.

Records obtained from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) show that on March 5, 2020, Ganduje’s children — Abdulaziz, Umar, and Muhammad — alongside family associate Abubakar Bawuro, were listed as directors, each receiving 20 percent of shares.

This restructuring displaced the state, which had held equity since 2006 under former governor Ibrahim Shekarau, when businessman Ahmad Rabiu retained 80 percent.

On July 7, 2020, less than three weeks after the Nigerian Shippers’ Council urged Kano to provide infrastructure at the port, Ganduje awarded a ₦2.3 billion contract to FRI Construction Company Limited. The project cost was later revised to over ₦4 billion.

By 2022, filings indicated that the Ganduje children had transferred their shares to Bawuro, who now controls 80 percent of the company, while Rabiu holds the remaining 20 percent.

The current administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has rejected the restructuring, insisting Kano State remains a shareholder.

Bashir Uba, Director of Investment at the Ministry of Commerce, said the state never initiated any divestment process.

“At no time did the state indicate interest in divesting its shares in the Dala Inland Dry Port,” he said.