A delegation of Kano business leaders and senior government officials has appealed to the Federal Government to expedite the release of the N5 billion intervention fund approved for victims of the Singer Market fire disaster.
The delegation made the appeal during a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, in Abuja.
The visit was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson to the Kano State Governor, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, the delegation reminded the SGF of the Federal Government’s commitment, announced earlier this year, to provide financial assistance to thousands of traders whose businesses and livelihoods were destroyed by the fire.
The delegation said the prompt release of the fund would provide much-needed relief to affected traders and support the restoration of commercial activities at the market.
Members of the delegation also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the intervention and appealed for the completion of the disbursement process to enable beneficiaries to access the support without further delay.
Responding, Akume assured the delegation that their concerns had been noted and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting victims of the Singer Market fire.
The delegation included the President of the Association of Kano Business Community, Alhaji Sabiu Bako; the Kano State Commissioner for Finance, Dr Ismail Danmaraya; APC National Ex-Officio, Muhammad Yusuf; the Chairman of Singer Market, Junaidu Zakari; and businessman, Alhaji Kabiru Gano.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the N5 billion intervention during a reception held on 26 January 2026 to welcome Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf into the All Progressives Congress (APC) following his defection to the party.
At the event, Shettima said the Federal Government approved the intervention as palliative support for victims of the Singer Market fire, while the Progressive Governors’ Forum pledged an additional N3 billion to assist those affected.
The reception also marked the defection of 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives and 44 local government chairmen to the APC.
