Prominent Kano politician and former Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Sani Lawan Kofar Mata, has died.
A family source has confirmed to Global Tracker.
The family source told Global Tracker correspondent that the veteran politician died in Kano, although details surrounding the circumstances of his death were not immediately disclosed.
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According to the source, arrangements have been concluded for his burial, which is scheduled to take place in Kano on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
The death of Kofar Mata is expected to be widely felt across Kano’s political circles, given his longstanding involvement in the state’s political affairs and his prominence during the administrations of former Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.
Kofar Mata served as Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, a position he held for several years and through which he became a prominent figure in the state’s political and public affairs.
Historical records from Daily Trust identify him as a major political figure in Kano and a prominent contender in the state’s 2011 governorship politics. He was also described at the time as one of the key political figures within the then All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
His political influence extended beyond his government position. Contemporary reports described him as a prominent supporter and political associate of the Shekarau administration and one of the politicians who expressed interest in contesting the Kano governorship election in 2011.
Kofar Mata later became involved in the political realignments that preceded the 2011 general elections. Vanguard reported in 2011 that he was among prominent Kano politicians who moved from the ANPP to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His political activities also attracted considerable attention during the 2011 succession struggle in Kano.