NGO Profiling Will Strengthen Kano’s Security – Comrade Sarki, Human Rights Advocate

The Vice President of Human Rights Watch and Youth Empowerment Foundation, Nigeria, Comrade Tijjani Abdullahi Sarki, has commended the Kano State Government for inaugurating a high-powered committee to profile NGOs and donor organizations operating in the state.  

In a statement signed by Comrade Tijjani Abdullahi Sarki and made available to Kano Times, he emphasized the necessity of the initiative, citing concerns over some foreign-funded NGOs engaging in activities that could undermine security and social values.

“I commend the Kano State Government for inaugurating the committee. This decisive move underscores a strong commitment to ensuring that NGOs and donor organizations align with the state’s development priorities, values, and laws,” Sarki said.

He expressed concerns about reports linking certain foreign-funded organizations to illegal activities, including allegations of financing terrorism. “The allegations involving USAID-funded NGOs promoting terrorism-related activities highlight the urgency of this initiative. Reports linking certain foreign-funded organizations to illegal activities make the establishment of this committee essential,” he added.

Sarki referenced the case of the Women Initiative for Sustainable Empowerment and Equality (WISE), which was accused in July 2024 of promoting values that contradict Kano’s moral and religious norms. He noted that the public backlash demonstrated the need for a structured mechanism to distinguish legitimate NGOs from those that could threaten social cohesion.

“This engagement will allow for the profiling of NGOs, identifying their funding sources, and ensuring they do not serve as vehicles for promoting harmful ideologies or illegal operations,” he said. “Only organizations that genuinely serve the interests of the people of Kano and operate within the law should be allowed to function.”

Drawing comparisons to similar actions in other states, Sarki pointed to Borno State’s Commission for Social Development, Humanitarian Affairs, and Relief (BACSDAHR), established in 2019 to regulate humanitarian and development organizations. “This model offers valuable insights for Kano State as it seeks to enhance the impact of its development partners,” he noted.

As the committee, led by the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, begins its work, Sarki called for a thorough and impartial process.

“Legitimate NGOs and donor organizations should have no reason to worry about this development,” he stated, stressing that the profiling should ensure only credible organizations continue their work in the state.

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