As Kano emerges among the world’s most populous cities, questions abound on how history has shaped this trajectory and what the future holds. In this interview, a Kano-based historian and independent researcher, Dr Ibrahim Ado Kurawa, spoke on the root of Kano’s demographic expansion, the resilience of its cultural identity and the risks and opportunities of its rapid growth. Right from the pre-colonial period, Kano played a major role as a sub‑Saharan trade route. How did that shape its population over time? Kano population has always been large because the area supported agriculture and craft industries long before colonial rule. Security and governance were strong, which attracted settlers. After the jihad of Shehu Usman Danfodio, raids from Maradi in the present‑day Niger Republic depleted some Hausa lands, but many people moved into Kano. The fertile agricultural zone around Kano continued to draw people. Kano became the largest producer of textiles in sub‑Saharan Africa, producing cloth of such high quality that European travellers compared it to Manchester’s output. Historians like Elisabeth Esetji documented this, and it was part of the reason Europeans recommended colonising Kano. Even after colonialism destroyed much of the industry, Kano thrived on agriculture. At one point, it produced half a million tonnes of groundnut, half of Nigeria’s total. So, this makes it very special and it continued to attract people because of peace and tranquility. So it is not surprising that Kano is still making rounds as the largest, the most populous state in Nigeria. Now, we are also witnessing a lot of security challenges in the North-East and in North-West. This economic strength kept attracting people. Is there any correlation between the recent population surge in Kano with insecurity in other northern states? Of course, there is. The insecurity in the North‑East and North‑West drives migration into Kano. Every day, new people arrive, fleeing banditry in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and parts of Kaduna, or Boko Haram violence in the North‑East. Entire neighborhoods are now populated by migrants from those regions. It is not surprising that Kano is now regarded as the second largest city in West Africa. Many farming communities in some of these states have deserted their villages, and their most preferred relocation option is Kano due to its relative stability, fertile land and economic prosperity. Many neighbourhoods in Kano today have been populated by some of these people in the last 15 years and most of them are relocating permanently and not going back to their states. With so many people relocating and different cultures coming together, do you see Kano’s cultural identity being diluted? There is no dilution; what happens is assimilation. This has always been the case. Before colonial rule, Kano had settlements like Dandalin Turawa and Dandalin Gwari populated by Arabs, Tudun Nufawa by Nupe, Ayagi by Yoruba. They all became Kanawa. Today, you find southeastern Nigerians in Panisau and Kofalua, many of whom have become billionaires in Kano. They identify as Kano people. So, rather than dilution, we see assimilation and integration. Kano’s cultural identity is resilient. It absorbs newcomers and makes them part of the city. This resilience is one of Kano’s greatest strengths. It explains why the city has remained stable despite waves of migration. People do not come to Kano and remain outsiders; they become part of the fabric of the city. That is why, even with millions arriving from different regions, Kano continues to thrive without losing its cultural essence. Historically, governments and emirs responded to population growth. What lessons should present leaders learn? The most important lesson is education. If people are educated, they gain social mobility. Without education, their possibilities are limited. Expanding agricultural production is also vital because it remains the most important productive sector. Kano was once the most prosperous province in black Africa, producing textiles and leather goods like 10million sandals annually. That level of productivity created wealth. Today, we must revive agriculture and industry, adding value through processing. Education, agriculture, and industry are the pillars for managing population positively. The projection puts Kano city’s population at 17.5 million now, rising to 20 million by 2030. What risks or opportunities do you foresee? There are both risks and opportunities. If education and productive economic activities are not provided, we will face crises, crime, social unrest and overstressed infrastructure. But if government is careful and inclusive, and if productivity is prioritised, the opportunities are immense. The danger is that Nigeria invests more in services than production. Manufacturing is low, agriculture is neglected and energy is insufficient. Without electricity to power indust
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