•Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State
The Kano State Government has announced plans to convert the 115-year-old Kurmawa Central Prison into a historical museum.
The government said all inmates would be relocated to a newly constructed custodial facility in Janguza, a few kilometres outside the city along the Kano-Gwarzo road, reports Daily Trust.
Established in 1910 during the British colonial era, the Kurmawa prison located behind the Kano Emir’s Palace originally held a capacity of 690 inmates.
Confirming the development yesterday, Ibrahim Adam, Special Adviser on Information to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the Kurmawa Correctional Centre will be transformed into a museum dedicated to preserving the state’s historical heritage.
He added that the museum would serve both educational and tourism purposes, offering insights into Kano’s colonial and correctional history, while the relocation would enable modern rehabilitation efforts.
Kano State currently has ten correctional centres, including two within the capital and others spread across local government areas.
The new Janguza facility was built during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari and can accommodate up to 3,000 inmates.
