By AbdulIahi Tanimu, Lafia
When Governor Abdullahi Sule was sworn on the 29 May, 2019, and despite high expectations from the people of Nasarawa State due to his pedigree in the private sector and as a visionary leader, little did citizenry know that he would keep to his campaign promises and exceed all expectations. On the 29 May, 2025, Governor Sule celebrated six years in office, and millions of well-wishers all over continued to pour an encomium on him for his all-inclusive governance and development of the state! This visionary leader name ‘’The Architect of urban and rural development” due to his developmental stride across the entire state and all sectors, is one of the greatest thing to have happen to the political space in the state.
He is a great leader who possesses a clear and compelling vision for Nasarawa State and Nigeria. A key trait of an influential leader is his ability to envision a desired future for his people. Leaders with a crystal-clear vision are resolute in their ability to discern things that others may overlook. They exhibit unwavering faith in their vision and are fully committed to it. This is true of His Excellency Abdullahi A. Sule (FNSE).
Governor Sule is serving his second term in office and Nasarawa State is witnessing a remarkable transformation in infrastructural development, educational reforms, better health care services, improved security, improved Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) from N7 billion yearly in 2019 to over N30 billion yearly, currently, prompt payment of salaries, regular payment of pensions and gratuities, youth and sport development, agricultural revolution, and above all investors-friendly policy.
Job creation is one Governor Sule areas of interest, as so far, over 15,000 persons have been employed as teachers and in the state civil service and, indirectly with over 50,000 persons working in construction sites, mining sites and factories across the state due to friendly working environment in the state among others.
Since assumption of office, the state continues to witness a complete transformation across all sectors, as over 70 urban and rural roads are constructed and completed, with over 50 currently ongoing across the state. Under the leadership of Governor Sule, the state is undergoing significant overhaul, the State Capital, Lafia and the LGAs have opened up for development and commercial activities. The administration also constructed modern schools, hospitals, markets, Lafia Bus Terminal, Karu Bus Terminal, upgraded Lafia Stadium, constructed road in the Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nasarawa State College of Agriculture Lafia, upgrade state-owned Isa Mustapha Agwai II Polytechnic, Lafia among others.
The Sule administration also constructed Awe Modern Market, Nassarawa Eggon Modern Market, Doma Modern Market (Ongoing), Wamba Modern Market (Ongoing), Nasarawa Modern Market, (Ongoing) Akwanga Neighborhood Market and in other LGAs. In addition Youth Centers were built, renovated and furnished in Lafia, Akwanga and other LGA’s.
In the area of healthcare, modern General hospitals were upgraded and equipped across the three senatorial districts, with over 80 Primary Health Care Centers, constructed and equipped. Education is the key to development and on assumption of office Governor Sule, made a bold statement with his clear vision on education by setting up a Committee that reviews the educational sector and provides a road map which transforms the educational sector in the state, these include; increase in the education budget for the past five years, with over five (500) hundred Primary and Secondary schools constructed, renovated and furnished, and also employment of over 9000
teachers in the state. The administration also established new MDAs, completed and set up Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Technology Institute with over 2000 artisans so far graduated and supported
with a start-up capital. The Infectious Disease Centre Lafia was also completed and put into use to serve as alternative medical facility in terms of emergency and other services.
Governor Sule administration also completed the Lafia Airport, reconstructed the Lafia Stadium and build club house for the state male football team. This unprecedented development during the current administration changed the face of Lafia, and the entire state, which laid the foundation for continued growth and development, as this legacy would always be remembered. Also as a Prince of Gudi, Governor Sule, understands the importance of
traditional institution and continued to provide them with all the necessary support including, provision of SUVs, payment of salaries, allowances and always consult them.
The Sule’s administration sustained support for security agencies, free education for persons with disabilities in state owned institutions, established the Nasarawa State Disability Rights Commission and appointed persons with disabilities as the pioneer management of the Commission, and payment of NECO fees to over 30,000 candidates in the senior secondary schools so far.
The present administration also attracted several federal projects and establishments to the State, including the recently awarded, 2 Water Dams, Federal University Teaching Hospital Lafia, Federal Secretariat, and the
Headquarters of North Central Development Commission, among others.
His Excellency Engineer Sule would continue to be a hero in Nasarawa State, not due to infrastructural development alone, which we highlight only a few he)re. He would always be remembered for not taking a single debt in the six(6 years of tenure, so far and yet paid off 57 billion naira debt of the past administrations in the state. This is an uncommon leader, who is patriotic, full of contentment and visionary.
Governor Sule, did the unthinkable, in Nasarawa State, constructed one of the best and biggest State Secretariat in the country that would be commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) on the 25th June 2025 together with the first ever flyover and underpass in the state capital Lafia, Shendam road dual carriage way, security vehicles and trucks among others. The Sule administration also completed Banquet Hall of the Government House and the state-owned Presidential Lodge. In the housing sector, Governor Sule administration also provides land for the renew hope housing estate in Lafia, intervened in Masaka-Luvu low housing estate, Mararaba Technology hub housing units for low-income earners, and Masaka -Area 1 housing estate, among others. The administration continue to sink boreholes across the state, in rural areas. At the same time, many industries were set up during his tenure, with two lithium companies completed and the third one ready for commissioning. The 5 star State Secretariat is an architectural master piece and one of the best in the country, which would serve many MDAs, Offices of the SSG, Accountant General, Head of Service, hundreds of civil servants among others.
Our amiable Governor Sule has also done greatly in the aspect of electricity, with the creation of the Nasarawa State Electrification Agency and Rural Road Development Agency among others, through which the administration, provide over 100 transformers to rural communities, completed Doma Power Sub-Station, Mararaban-Udege to Loko electrification, and Toto -Umasha electrification.
Our visionary Governor Sule, also ensures that security personnel lack nothing with the provisions of logistics, such as vehicles, motorcycles, walking, talking, prompt payment of allowances, and setting up of various
security camps across the state. With regards to investment, this is the first time that Nasarawa State is seen as the true home of solid minerals due to the surge of mining sites and the discoveries of lithium in the state, which has attracted investors from China and other parts of the world. In the area of agriculture, His Excellency, Engr. Sule continues to surprise citizenry with the empowerment of farmers with tractors, fertilizers, farming seeds and other support to farmers in the state. Most surprising of all is the continue farming of rice by the state government to ensure food sufficiency as preach by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, (GCFR). Governor Sule, always visited the farms at different times to see things for himself.
Although, the state is number 33rd in the federation revenues allocation and with low revenues, previous administration resorts to debt and waits for the allocation from Abuja. However, Governor Sule is doing it differently with prudent management of resources, physical discipline, fiscal policies, efficient financial management, sourcing for grants, and other sources of funding, but not LOANS. The judiciary reforms and infrastructure is a laudable one, LGAs enjoys support from His Excellency Engr Abdullahi Sule and encourage to function effectively. The State University Keffi also witnessed support and prompt payment of salaries and allowances, among others.
His Excellency, Engr. Sule is indeed God sent to the people of Nasarawa State and this platform won’t be enough for us to state all the transformation and laudable leadership of the Governor. However, the volume ll of the Progressive Governance book , showcasing the achievements of Governor Abdullahi A. Sule as Executive Governor of Nasarawa State 2019-2027 would clearly reveal the uncommon transformation of the state in not less than 800 pages with pictorial evidence of projects, programs, policies and other initiatives of the government by early 2027 by the grace of God. Not yet done His Excellency, Engr. Sule completed the Lafia Airport and luckily for the state the Federal Government takes over the airport and refunded the state the 9.7 billion Naira, the amount refunded would be use to construct the Kwandere- Sabon Gida road to reduce the distance from Lafia to Keffi and Abuja. What a legacy by the Architect of Urban and Rural Development. One of the common features of Governor Sule it’s his humility, simplicity and does not care to speak about this projects but it’s important for the citizens of our dear state and the entire country to know and appreciate this laudable leader.
A key trait of effective leaders is the ability to anticipate outcomes that others may not see. They have a forwardthinking mindset that extends beyond the present. Governor Sule exemplifies these qualities through his decision making style, conflict resolution abilities and forgiving attitude, this has placed him high and above as a father and a political rallying point for many politicians that continue to associate with him. He would continue to remain relevant, he has talent for predicting future trends and mapping out a path to success, which is why he was able to develop Nasarawa State. His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule has assisted many young men and women to national prominence and he would continue to remain a guiding force in the political circle of Nasarawa State and Nigeria in general.
Congratulations to the People of Nasarawa State! As Mr. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria visit on Wednesday 25th June, 2025. May the Almighty God in His Infinite Mercy continue to bless you. Amen.
Abdullahi Tanimu is a public affairs analyst and an indigene of Nasarawa State.
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