Kano Hosts 2025 UNESCO World Heritage Programme

Director-General of the African International Documentary and Festival Foundation (AFIDFF), Malame Mangzha, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Kano State in securing a UNESCO World Heritage status for its historic sites, as the 2025 UNESCO World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Programme kicked off in Kano State.

Mangzha stated this yesterday during the orientation and opening ceremony of the programme at Gidan Dan Hausa, History and Culture Bureau, which was organised by the foundation in collaboration with the Kano State government.

Mangzha, who also serves as the national coordinator of the UNESCO WHV Initiative, said Kano was selected for the 2025 edition in recognition of its centuries-old cultural and historical significance.

“Kano has been on UNESCO’s tentative list for more than 20 years. We believe it is time to project these sites and work with the state government to achieve full World Heritage recognition,” she said.

She explained that the volunteers will undertake hands-on activities across eight key heritage sites — including the ancient city walls, Gidan Sarki, Kurmi Market, Dala Hills, Minjibir, and the tanneries, among others — to document and promote their global visibility.

While noting that, the event brought together over 20 partner organisations including the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, National Council for Arts and Culture, and the Nigerian Red Cross among others, she commended the state government for providing logistics, accommodation, and security for participants, describing the gesture as proof of the state’s commitment to heritage preservation and youth empowerment.

In his remarks, the executive secretary, History and Culture Bureau, Ahmed Kabir Yusuf, hailed the collaboration as timely, noting that it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the state’s History and Culture Bureau.

Kano State commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Aisha Saji, also lauded the volunteers’ efforts, emphasising that their work would help safeguard Kano’s cultural legacy for future generations.