Zainab Musawa: Celebrating An Amazing Amazon
By Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
In the annal of public service, few individuals weave threads of compassion, innovation, humility and transformative leadership as brilliantly as Hajia Zainab M. Musawa. Flashback, her journey is not merely a chronicle of administrative roles, but a formidable narrative of commitment to societal upliftment and empowerment.
Hajia Zainab’s distinguished path of public service began at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, where she served as a technical adviser to the Honourable Minister.
In this role, she demonstrated her remarkable ability to translate policy into impact that becomes visible to all and sundry.
Under her guidance, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) became a lifeline for over 350,000 vulnerable individuals across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. This provided micro-loans that transformed economic prospects for countless families. Isn’t that amazing of Zainab?
When Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda appointed her as the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Zainab Musawa’s passion erupted like a transformative force. Guess what? She didn’t just occupy an administrative position; she breathed new life into a ministry that had previously languished in bureaucratic inertia.
Her strategic roadmap was not just a document but a dynamic blueprint for change. It focuses on gender mainstreaming and inclusion that aligned perfectly with Federal Government of Nigeria policies.
To crown this achievement, Hajia Zainab initiated the establishment of the gender-based violence center in Katsina State— call it sanctuary of hope or justice, it’s never a mismatched.
Today, the center has handled over 900 cases of violence, with most resulting in convictions. For survivors of abuse—women, children, and vulnerable individuals who had long suffered in silence—this center became more than an institution; it became a beacon of hope and healing.
Now, Hajia Zainab’s wing extended beyond institutional frameworks. She personally oversaw the renovation and equipping of critical infrastructure: the women’s multipurpose centre, Kankia groundnut processing women centre, and family support program schools in Katsina and Daura. These weren’t mere construction projects, but strategic investments in women’s empowerment and educational quality.
As a mark of recognition for exceptional contributions to Katsina state development, Hajia Zainab was awarded the best performing commissioner for 2023/2024. The award which many praised and described as a well-deserved acknowledgment of her relentless dedication to the underprivileged.
Transitioning to her role as Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Hajia Zainab Musawa continued her trajectory of transformative leadership. In just four weeks, she digitized data for over 31,000 teachers—a monumental step towards modernizing educational infrastructure. Breaking new ground, she conducted the first-ever comprehensive workshop and competency test for secondary school management, involving 1,300 school leaders.
Waxing stronger in credibility, excellence and performance, Hajia Zainab Musawa emerged as Nigeria’s Best Commissioner at the prestigious National Leadership Awards on the 30th October, 2024. The award was presented by the People’s Parliament Nigeria in collaboration with Leadership Awards Ltd. No doubt, this recent award strengthen the earlier mark of honor she received as Katsina State’s Best Commissioner for 2023/2024.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda as the Executive Servant of Katsina State, has consistently celebrated Musawa’s remarkable feats. Describing her role as a shining example of purposeful public service. Her work transcends traditional administrative boundaries. It embodies a holistic approach to societal development.
Hajia Zainab M. Musawa represents more than an accomplished public servant. She is a catalyst of change, a visionary who sees potential where others see challenges, and a leader who transforms systemic constraints into opportunities for growth and empowerment. Her legacy is not written in official records alone, but in the lives transformed, the voices amplified, and the potential unleashed across Katsina State. Indeed, she’s an amazing Amazon.
To me, I’ll say, from here; up, up and up Hajia Zainab Musawa the amazing amazon.
Mohammed is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State
