Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has unveiled a N2 billion recovery and expansion package for the Farm Centre GSM Market, following the recent fire disaster that ravaged sections of the popular telecom hub in Kano metropolis.
The intervention, aimed at revitalizing commercial activities, includes the reconstruction of affected shops, expansion of the market’s physical space, and installation of critical infrastructure such as drainage systems, fire stations, solar-powered lighting, and improved road access.
A pedestrian bridge is also part of the design to enhance customer mobility and safety.
Governor Yusuf disclosed the plan during a visit to the site of the inferno, where he received a warm welcome from market leaders and traders.
He emphasized that the investment was not only a response to the fire incident but part of a long-term vision to position the market as a strategic trade hub with links to other West African countries.
“Our goal is to transform the Farm Centre GSM Market into an international centre of commerce, attract traders beyond Nigeria’s borders, and create more employment opportunities,” the governor stated.
A dedicated management structure will also be introduced to improve efficiency, ensure transparency, and maintain order in market operations.
In response, Market Chairman Comrade Jamilu Gama expressed gratitude to the governor, describing the gesture as timely and morale-boosting for affected traders.
With over 39,000 young people directly employed across its 20 plazas, the GSM Market remains one of Northern Nigeria’s most vital informal tech job centres.
Governor Yusuf further appealed to traders to cooperate with security agencies in curbing phone snatching and street crimes in the area.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to youth empowerment through Kano’s 26 vocational centres, which continue to provide skills training and job creation for thousands.
