Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Sani Bags Nelson Mandela Excellence Award in Public Service
By Matthew Eloyi
Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Sani (MNATE), a respected traditional leader and renowned community development advocate in Gombe State, has been selected to receive the prestigious Nelson Mandela Excellence Award in Public Service at the 7th OurNigeria News Awards.
The award ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, and is expected to draw an array of top government officials, diplomats, policymakers and influential personalities from across Africa and beyond. The annual event, organised by OurNigeria News Magazine, celebrates excellence, leadership and outstanding contributions to journalism, governance and national development.
Popularly known by his traditional title “Sarkin Shanun Yamaltu”, Dr. Sani is a prominent figure in grassroots development and humanitarian service in Gombe State and the wider Northeast region. He also holds several other traditional titles, including Sarkin Dajin Akko and Funakaye, Dan Moyin Pindiga, and Dan Iyan Gona Ardon Yariman Gombe, reflecting his deep-rooted influence and recognition across communities.
Dr. Sani currently serves as the Executive Director of the Sarkin Shanu Foundation for Youth and Community Development, a non-governmental organisation committed to social development, youth empowerment and community upliftment. Through the foundation, he has championed various initiatives aimed at equipping young people with practical skills, including ICT training and vocational capacity-building programmes.
In the agricultural sector, he has played a strategic role as a Coordinator of development initiatives, notably the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Special Project in Gombe State, where he has supported rice farmers, promoted productivity and strengthened food security efforts in the state.
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A strong advocate for improved healthcare delivery, Dr. Sani has consistently lent his voice to policies and projects that enhance public health infrastructure. He notably commended the upgrading of General Hospital Kumo to a Federal Medical Centre, describing it as a critical intervention for strengthening healthcare services in the Northeast.
Beyond agriculture and health, Dr. Sani is widely known for his humanitarian gestures and commitment to education. His charitable interventions include the provision of scholarships, donations of educational materials and support for vulnerable groups, particularly across Northern Nigeria.
His consistent dedication to community service has earned him several traditional and national recognitions from various councils and institutions, further cementing his reputation as a selfless leader devoted to societal progress.
The Nelson Mandela Excellence Award in Public Service recognises individuals whose lives and work reflect integrity, service, compassion and commitment to the public good. According to the organisers, Dr. Sani’s selection was based on his “exceptional record of blending traditional leadership with modern development initiatives to improve lives at the grassroots.”
With this honour, Dr. Sani joins a growing list of distinguished Nigerians whose contributions continue to inspire positive change and sustainable development across the country.
