By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has been described as a champion of women empowerment, gender-friendly governance, and a leading light in inclusive politics across Nigeria.
The Director-General of the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA), Engr. Sanusi Yero, stated this on Wednesday at a press briefing in Kaduna, noting that the governor’s commitment to inclusivity has earned him numerous awards and national recognition.
Yero recalled that at the 9th Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW2025) held recently in Abuja, KADPPA received the award for “Government Agency Supporting Women and Their Families.”
“Indeed, the Governor has demonstrated the political will, institutional backing, and policy direction that made this award possible. The credit should rightly go to His Excellency,” he said.
The DG explained that under Governor Uba Sani, Kaduna State became the first subnational in Nigeria to adopt a Gender-Responsive Procurement Policy, a framework designed to promote women’s economic participation through fair access to public contracts.
He said the policy offers both financial and reservation benefits to women-owned businesses in line with global best practices.
“KADPPA has waived all registration fees for women-owned businesses, while the non-refundable tender fees have been slashed by 50 per cent,” Yero said.
“Similarly, registration fees with other government agencies have also been reduced by 50 per cent for women-owned businesses. These constitute the financial benefits of the policy.”
Yero further disclosed that the policy also provides reservation benefits, which guarantee women a specific share of government contracts.
“Under this framework, 20 per cent of all goods contracts are reserved for women, 10 per cent of consulting contracts go to them, and 5 per cent of works contracts are also reserved,” he explained.
“Above all, in cases where bids are not responded to, women-owned businesses will be given priority during relaunch.”
He noted that KADPPA has established a dedicated Gender-Responsive Department, while all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) now have Gender Desk Officers to ensure compliance with the new procurement policy.
Yero described Governor Uba Sani’s administration as one that is “deliberately dismantling systemic discrimination against women through affirmative action and institutional reforms.”
“The Kaduna State Government, through KADPPA, is humbled by this recognition and remains committed to advancing women’s empowerment in line with the governor’s vision for an inclusive Kaduna State,” the DG added.
End.
