Leading in Crisis: Leaders’ Approaches to Societal Mobilisation in Response to COVID-19 In Kano State, Nigeria

The outbreak of COVID-19 posed unprecedented challenges, disrupting public health systems as well as socio-economic and political activities globally, including in Nigeria. In Kano State, the rapid spread of the virus, coupled with a fragmented government response, raised critical concerns. Citizens’ reactions to government mobilisation efforts varied widely, with many resisting or disregarding public health measures due to complex social, cultural, and political factors. This article employs a process-based leadership framework to examine how leaders mobilised society in response to COVID-19 in Kano. It explores the patterns of citizens’ responses, the emergence of citizen-led initiatives such as Kano Against COVID-19, and other sources of influence shaping these dynamics. Drawing on primary data from ten virtual interviews and secondary data from existing literature, the article highlights key moments where leadership and governance structures were tested. The article argues that, while it is justifiable for the government to mobilise society during pandemics such as COVID-19, its effectiveness in Kano was intrinsically tied to leadership and governance structures. The findings reveal that the nature of leadership, trust, and state-society relations in Kano significantly influenced the government’s (in)ability to mobilise and sustain societal mobilisation in response to COVID-19. This highlights the need for hybrid governance systems that integrate formal and informal structures to foster trust, mutuality, and societal mobilisation in the face of global challenges.