Aminu Kano

“Aminu's influence on Nigeria has clearly been great, especially among women, the common people, and the intellectuals, in large part due to his life of personal sacrifice, leadership by example, and his participation in the political process.”

“In 1983, Kano died of a stroke. However, his ideas and work still have an impact on 21st-century Nigeria”

“In an era where the call for social justice and equality is more urgent than ever, we implore our leaders and young political aspirants to embody Aminu Kano’s spirit of leadership—one that fosters dialogue, promotes inclusiveness, and galvanises the masses towards collective progress.”

“As we commemorate his life, we are reminded of the pivotal ideas that characterized his political engagement. Aminu Kano championed the rights of women, advocated for the poor, and sought to dismantle ethnically based political parties in favour of unity and inclusivity.”

“His speeches frequently emphasised fairness, responsibility in leadership, and the moral obligations of those who held public office. These themes helped reinforce his image as a reformer whose political life was guided by a clear sense of public duty.”

“Aminu Kano developed a reputation for personal discipline and modest living. Supporters often viewed him as a politician who maintained a close connection with the people whose interests he represented.”

“I have been a socialist all along. I discovered early in life that a lot of the codes of Islam are patterned along socialist lines.”

“The word 'tribe' is insulting. It is the European who refers to us as tribes. Such words should be banned. I would rather say I come from Kano State than say I am Fulani....”

“What Nigerians want is really very peddling things, now for example what is constitution, what is independence, what is 1st October if I go to bed hungry, or the next morning I wake up without breakfast, for my children to go to school without a meal?”

“We [at NEPU] interpret democracy in its more traditional, radical sense, and that is the rule of the common people, the poor, the illiterate, while our opponents (the NPC) interpret it in its modern Tory sense, and that is the rule of the enlightened and prosperous minority in the supposed interest of the common people.”

“I hated government that sat on people”

“If we go on foot, we will not walk, we will run. And if we fall, we will pick ourselves up and run again. But mark you, we will not go on foot. You might tell us to go by camel, or horse, but we will even skip the motor car and go by plane. And the British had best not deny us the choice of our means of transportation, no matter how fast.”

“Anyone who wants to be a leader must be the servant, not the boss, of those he wants to serve.”

“I am more interested in the purpose of government than its mechanics–though the means should at least be good enough to lead to the ends desired.”

“The road to freedom is full of thorns and fire, yet happy is he who follows it!”

“One must scratch that part of the body or mind that itches.”