Zainab Bayero, Daughter of Late Emir of Kano, Appeals for Housing and Financial Support

 

Zainab Bayero, the daughter of the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, has made a public appeal to Governor Abba Yusuf for assistance, requesting both housing and financial support for her struggling family. In an interview with on Friday, August 23, Zainab shared the challenges her family has faced since her father's passing, revealing that they have been living in difficult conditions without stable housing or adequate financial resources.

"I know a lot of people will be very surprised that the daughter of an Emir is in this kind of situation," Zainab stated. "Being born into a polygamous home, there are a lot of intrigues and divisions. The whole thing started when my daddy died; his death left a void within the family. Everyone was alone, especially me, my mother, and my younger brother. We were not given a part of his estate, so we were left in a terrible situation, which has been going on for ten years."

Zainab explained that since her father's death, her family has struggled to find stability. They have been moving from place to place, often staying in hotels, and have been unable to secure a permanent home. "We’ve been trying to survive and find ways to get back on our feet and return to a proper environment—to have a home, not renting or moving from hotel to hotel," she said. She emphasized that they wish to relocate to Lagos for safety and freedom, but with the current high cost of living, they estimate needing around N150 million to purchase a house.

Zainab acknowledged that Governor Yusuf had provided some assistance in June, but it was insufficient to meet their ongoing needs. She explained that while the governor's representative had given them some money, it was not enough to secure a long-term rental or purchase a home. "What he gave us wasn’t enough to rent a house for a year. So, we’ve been trying to find a place, but the funds aren’t sufficient. We’re in the same situation again."

She also appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other compassionate Nigerians for additional support. Zainab noted that their hotel stay is about to expire, and they will be without a place to stay after Saturday, August 23.

Zainab's plea comes nearly a decade after the death of her father, Ado Bayero, who was the longest-serving Emir of Kano, ruling from 1963 until his passing in 2014. He was a revered leader, remembered for his contributions to the community, and was laid to rest according to Islamic rites in Kano. Despite his legacy, Zainab and her immediate family have found themselves in a dire situation, seeking help to rebuild their lives.