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• 08 Mar, 2026

CHECK OUT: Discover How to Work with Brands, Earn from Affiliate Links, and Tap into Ad Revenue -- Because Your Content Deserves to Pay Off. Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa. Kano, Kano State - Extraordinary women shape Kano, one of Nigeria's most politically influential states, and inspire those around them. That is why Legit.ng is marking International Women's Day (IWD) 2026 with an influence list, highlighting four female political figures widely respected across Kano State. Below, Legit.ng highlights these women. Hajiyah Naja'atu Bala Muhammad, 69, is a seasoned politician and activist. Her father was an associate of Aminu Kano. She was the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) nominee for Kano Central District senator in the 2007 elections. Naja'atu Mohammed is also among the first women to serve as president of the National Students Union of Nigeria at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU), and the first female vice president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). Currently, she is actively involved in former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's campaign team. Uwais is a lawyer and politician. She served as special adviser on Social Investments to the late President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023. She has also worked at the Kano State Ministry of Industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Nigerian Law Reform Commission. Before she was appointed Special Adviser, Uwais was an activist focused on poverty alleviation and worked with the popular FG's N-Power programme. Sa'adatu Salisu Yusha'u (often referred to as Sa'adatu Salisu Soja) is a trailblazing Nigerian politician and the first female to serve as the chairperson of the Association of Local Government Chairmen (ALGON), Kano State chapter. Elected in 2024 under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), she is the executive chairperson of Tudun Wada Local Government Area (LGA). Hafsat Abdullahi Ganduje (popularly known as Gwaggo) is an academic, politician, and a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Ganduje married former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. Although there was no office of first lady, she campaigned on his behalf and created women's empowerment campaigns that included the distribution of educational materials, sewing machines, and small-business grants. Daily Trust reported that Ganduje was rumoured to exert influence over the ex-governor regarding political appointments, contract awards, and other government affairs. She is also said to have been behind many of the appointments and cabinet reshuffles since 2015. However, Ganduje dismissed claims linking his wife to his government's operations. Read more about Nigerian women: Meanwhile, patriarchy and religious norms have been cited as reasons for the slow implementation of affirmative action for women in Nigeria, Ghana, and other West African countries. Ghanaian lawmaker Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah told Legit.ng that the African context often makes it difficult for women to secure their rightful place in governance. Source: https://www.legit.ng/politics/1700145-international-womens-day-najaatu-mohammed-3-prominent-female-political-figures-kano/