The emergence of Kano as the world’s ninth most populous city, according to the World Population Review 2026 report, is a development that deserves both celebration and serious reflection. With an estimated population of 17.5 million people, Kano has joined the league of global megacities alongside Shanghai, Delhi, Beijing, Mumbai, Kinshasa and Karachi. It is a remarkable transformation for a city whose history has been defined by commerce, enterprise and human interaction.
However, while Kano’s new global ranking is a source of pride, it is also a major test of leadership. Population size alone does not translate into prosperity. Without deliberate planning, investment and effective governance, the same population that gives Kano an advantage could become a heavy burden.
The figures are staggering. According to the World Population Review 2026 report, Kano’s population has risen from three million in 1991 to about 17.5 million in 2026, representing more than a five-fold increase within 35 years. The city is projected to cross the 20 million mark by 2030 if the current growth rate of about 3.5 per cent annually continues.
This rapid expansion has been driven by several factors: natural population growth, migration, commercial activities and Kano’s strategic position as a major trading hub. For centuries, Kano has been a meeting point between northern Nigeria, other parts of the country and neighbouring West African nations. Its historic markets, including Kurmi Market, Kantin Kwari textile market, Dawanau grain market and Sabon Gari Market, remain symbols of its commercial strength.
Kano’s large population is therefore not a weakness. Properly managed, it is an enormous economic asset. A city with millions of people represents a huge consumer market, a large labour force and opportunities for investment in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, transportation and services.
The experience of countries that successfully transformed large populations into economic power shows that numbers become valuable when citizens are productive. China, with one of the largest populations in the world, achieved remarkable economic growth by investing heavily in education, skills, industries and infrastructure.
This is the lesson Kano must embrace. As experts said, population becomes a problem only when government fails to make it productive. Kano must therefore focus on human capital development by investing massively in education, healthcare, agriculture and industrialisation.
The state and federal governments must see Kano’s emergence as a megacity as a call to action. The city requires more than basic amenities; it needs infrastructure capable of matching its new status. Modern cities around the world are defined by efficient transportation systems, reliable electricity, clean environments, quality healthcare and well-planned housing.
The proposed rail projects, including the multi-trillion-naira rail connection linking major cities, must receive priority attention. A city of Kano’s size cannot depend mainly on informal transportation systems. Functional taxis, buses and an efficient mass transit system are urgently needed to reduce congestion and improve productivity.
The challenge of housing must also be addressed. With millions of people migrating into Kano, unplanned settlements will continue to expand unless authorities develop a comprehensive urban development plan. Water supply, sanitation, waste management and environmental protection must become priorities.
There is also a bigger lesson from Kano’s rise for other states, particularly in Northern Nigeria. The city’s success has partly been built on its ability to invest in security, but most importantly, its large heart to accommodate people from different backgrounds. For decades, Kano has welcomed Nigerians from different ethnic and religious groups who have contributed to its economy.
Communities such as Sabon Gari and Ayagi, among others demonstrate this diversity. People from Igbo, Yoruba, Kanuri, Jukun, Ibibio and other communities have built businesses, created employment and participated in the social and economic life of the city. Unlike many places where outsiders struggle to integrate, Kano has historically provided opportunities for people from different parts of Nigeria to succeed politically and economically.
This openness has strengthened Kano’s economy and remains one of its greatest advantages. Other states can learn from this example: development thrives where people feel welcomed and where talent, rather than origin, determines opportunity.
Interestingly, at a time when many developed countries are struggling with ageing populations caused by declining birth rates, Kano’s growing population represents an opportunity. Countries such as Japan, South Korea and several European nations are introducing incentives to encourage childbirth because shrinking populations are creating labour shortages and slowing economic growth.
Nigeria’s challenge is therefore not population growth itself, but how to convert population into productivity. A young population that is educated, skilled and employed can become a powerful engine of development.
But failure to act carries serious consequences. Already, Kano faces pressure on schools, hospitals, roads, and housing. With millions of young people entering the labour market, inadequate job creation could fuel poverty, frustration and crime.
Kano has reached a historic moment. Its population boom occasioned by crisis in the North East, North Central and parts of the North West that forces people to relocate to safer locations can either become the foundation of economic transformation or a warning story of missed opportunities.
The responsibility now rests on governments, businesses and communities to ensure that Kano’s millions are not merely counted but empowered. A global megacity requires global thinking. Kano’s new status must inspire a new vision for the city, one where population is not a challenge to manage, but a resource to harness.