Kano Government Laments Financial Loss from Canceled Durbar Festival, Seeks Federal Support

The Kano State Government has voiced concern over the economic impact of the continued cancellation of the Sallah Durbar Festival, noting that the disruption has cost the state millions in tourism and local business revenue.

Speaking during the Emir of Kano’s modified Hawan Nassarawa homage at the government palace on Sunday, Tajo Usman, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, explained that the annual Durbar festivities, once a major cultural and economic event, have long been integrated into the state’s budget projections.

“These are real losses for the Kano State government and its people,” Usman said.
“When tourists come, they stay in hotels, eat our local food, watch the Durbar, and even pay for things like shoe cleaning. These small businesses thrive during the festival.”

The Durbar Festival, known for its vibrant parades, horsemen, and cultural displays, traditionally attracts tourists from across Nigeria and abroad. Beyond the grandeur, the festival fuels a wide network of informal vendors from hotel operators and food sellers to snack makers and street shoe shiners.

“Some visitors buy local snacks like gurasa, and that money goes into the hands of ordinary Kano citizens,” Usman explained.

With the festival on hold, Usman disclosed that the government may approach the Federal Government for financial intervention to offset the revenue shortfall.

“We included these revenues in our annual budget. Now that we’ve lost them, we’ll need the Federal Government to step in and cover the gap.”

In addition to the festival losses, Commissioner Usman extended sympathies to traders affected by Saturday’s fire outbreak at the popular Farm Center Market, especially vendors of phone accessories who reportedly lost goods worth millions of naira.