By Abdullahi Idris, Dutse In a landmark interactive session held at the Government House Banquet Hall, Governor Umar Namadi host...
By Abdullahi Idris, Dutse
In a landmark interactive session held at the Government House Banquet Hall, Governor Umar Namadi hosted the Forum of Jigawa Academics, where he presented the achievements of his administration as it approaches its second anniversary.
Describing the event as “historic and significant,” the governor emphasized his administration’s unwavering commitment to citizen engagement, transparency, and responsive governance.
“We have a grand vision for our dear state anchored on a 12-point agenda, through which we are implementing several transformative socio-economic development programs to realize the vision of a Greater Jigawa,” Governor Namadi said.
He reaffirmed the government's accountability to the people, calling the mandate to lead a "sacred trust" to be fulfilled with transparency and integrity.
“It is a compact between us and the citizens, which we are obligated to deliver in accordance with the Oath of Office that we swore, with utmost transparency and accountability,” he declared.
Governor Namadi highlighted Jigawa's growing role as a vital contributor to national food security, citing the state's agricultural initiatives aimed at making it the nation's food basket.
He outlined key initiatives such as the Rice Millionaires Programme, the Agricultural Support Scheme for Civil Servants, and the recruitment of over 1,500 extension agents under the J-AGRO initiative, all aimed at revolutionizing the agricultural sector.
“Our target is to support the cultivation of 500,000 hectares by 2030, by which time Jigawa State would be producing up to 50% of Nigeria’s total rice requirement, In Shaa Allah,” he stated.
To institutionalize agricultural transformation, he noted the creation of the State Agricultural Transformation Agency and the Jigawa Farm Mechanization Company, as well as the training of 30 young Master Tractor Technicians in China.
He also highlighted the commissioning of the Lallashi Borehole-Based Irrigation Scheme, designed to promote year-round farming using underground water.
“This project clearly demonstrates the possibilities for sustainable farming even in desert-prone areas—what it requires is sustained government investment, which we are committed to,” he added.
On infrastructure, Governor Namadi announced a record-breaking rollout of road projects, revealing that contracts have been awarded for 46 road projects totaling 978 kilometers at a cost of over N304 billion—the largest in the state’s history.
Of the 26 ongoing road projects inherited from the previous administration, he said 23 have been completed and are ready for commissioning.
In the power sector, the governor highlighted key reforms including the establishment of the Ministry of Power and Energy, the enactment of a State Electricity Law, and a strategic partnership with KEDCO, in which Jigawa State now owns a 10% equity stake.
He announced a new collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) titled Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES), which aims to improve access to electricity in rural communities.
Governor Namadi also emphasized investments in human capital, particularly in education and healthcare, which have collectively received one-third of the state’s budgets over the past two years.
While specific data was left to the Commissioner for Higher Education’s presentation, the governor cited significant improvements in school infrastructure, teacher recruitment, and learning outcomes.
“Over the past two years, we have drastically addressed infrastructure deficits at both basic and post-basic education levels, improved student-teacher ratios, and enhanced learning outcomes. The issue of out-of-school children is also being tackled through special interventions under the Universal Basic Education Board and the newly established Tsangaya Education Board,” he noted.
On healthcare, he said the government has executed numerous projects to enhance access to quality and affordable medical services.
“These include infrastructural development across all levels of healthcare, and the completion of inherited projects at both secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities,” the governor stated.
The interactive session concluded with a strong message of continued commitment from the Namadi administration to deliver on its promises and drive Jigawa State toward greater progress.
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