Kano Government to Convert Historic Kurmawa Prison into Cultural Museum

The Kano State Government has unveiled plans to transform the iconic Kurmawa Maximum Security Prison, established over a century ago, into a museum celebrating the state’s rich cultural heritage.

Built in 1910 by the British colonial administration within the vicinity of the Kano Emir’s Palace, Kurmawa Prison has served as a major correctional facility with a capacity of 690 inmates. For more than 115 years, it has stood as a significant landmark in Kano’s colonial and penal history.

Announcing the development on Monday via his verified Facebook page, Ibrahim Adam, Special Adviser on Information, said the initiative is part of a broader heritage preservation project by the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

According to Adam, all inmates currently housed at Kurmawa Correctional Center will be relocated to a modern facility in Janguza, situated near the military barracks along the Kano–Gwarzo–Dayi Federal Highway. The Janguza facility, constructed under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has a holding capacity of 3,000 inmates.

“The government will move all prisoners from Kurmawa to Janguza, and Kurmawa will be repurposed into a museum aimed at preserving historical artifacts and showcasing Kano’s cultural legacy,” Adam stated.

He explained that the new museum will serve both educational and tourism purposes, attracting visitors and scholars interested in the state’s historical evolution.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to safeguarding Kano’s heritage while simultaneously ensuring inmates are kept in a more modern and humane environment,” Adam added.