Reviving Zamfara: Dauda Lawal’s Vision for a Resilient Future
In the intricate landscape of Zamfara State’s recent history, a transformative chapter unfolds with the governance of Dauda Lawal. Amidst the shadows of banditry, poverty, and institutional decay, his tenure as the 5th Executive Governor emerges as a beacon of hope and resilience. Through a tapestry of strategic reforms and resolute actions, Governor Lawal orchestrates a bold revival of Zamfara’s fortunes, championing security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and empowerment initiatives. As the state grapples with the legacy of past challenges, the Zagazola Media Network Team, who was in Zamfara recently, has captured in this captivating piece how Governor Lawal’s leadership shines as a testament to visionary governance in a complex era, heralding a new dawn of progress and prosperity for Zamfara.
In the last decade, Zamfara State, like its neighbour in the North-West region, has been engulfed by banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes that threatened the social fabric and economy of the state. Many people were killed and thousands displaced, while large-scale destruction of public and private properties was perpetrated by the bandits, resulting in a serious humanitarian crisis in the state.
Upon his inauguration as the 5th Executive Governor of Zamfara on May 29, 2023, Dauda Lawal inherited Zamfara in a state of bankruptcy characterised by decayed institutions, widespread poverty, and hunger among the citizens, thus eroding the confidence of the people in the government’s ability to navigate the security and economic challenges bedevilling the state.
The past administration had failed to pay workers for four months, leaving them in bad shape. As a passionate leader, Governor Dauda Lawal quickly sourced funds with which he paid off the backlog of four months’ salaries. These included the withheld salaries of local government workers and primary school teachers. To break the shackles of poverty and address the myriad of problems bedevilling the state, the Dauda Lawal administration initiated viable empowerment, social, and economic infrastructure development programmes to build a secure, peaceful, and prosperous state.
The November 2022 release of the multidimensional poverty index revealed a troubling statistic for Zamfara: 78% of its population is living in poverty, showcasing a worsening trend under the past government of Matawalle, now a minister in the federal cabinet, as poverty increased from 74% to 78%.
Furthermore, the preceding administration in Zamfara showed inadequacies in debt management. In 2019, according to a report by Premium Times, Zamfara’s total debt, including both domestic and external, stood at N103.35 billion. This figure climbed to N130.1 billion in 2020 and further increased to N130.94 billion in 2021. Shortly before Governor Lawal took over power, the state held the second-highest debt burden in the North-West region and ranked 15th among the 36 states of the federation in terms of debt levels.
Despite inheriting an empty treasury, Governor Dauda Lawal has so far kept to his campaign promises and has accomplished major strides in key sectors to rescue and rebuild Zamfara under his Six Smarts Agenda.
Securing Zamfara
To end banditry and other security breaches in the state, the Lawal administration demonstrated a high commitment to curbing the lingering banditry and kidnapping. This singular commitment led to the establishment of the Zamfara Community Protection Guards (CPG), also known as “ASKARAWA,” the pioneer security guard corps in the North-West region. Members of the guard corps underwent rigorous physical and regimental training to prepare them to assist the security agencies with credible intelligence to combat insecurity. The group has been very helpful in foiling bandit attacks in villages and towns across the local government areas of the state. This has given the people hope for safety and security.
Other security-related interventions by the governor included the provision of logistics and equipment to the security agencies, such as the fueling of patrol armoured vehicles and repairing patrol vehicles to improve the security presence throughout the state, as well as conducting periodic meetings of the State Security Committee. Also, the Lawal administration, through collaborative operations with the security agencies comprising the Nigerian Army, Police, State Security Services, and NSCDC, among others, successfully neutralised key bandit kingpins, including Kachalla Ali Kawaje, the mastermind of the abduction of students of the Federal University of Gusau. Other neutralised bandits are Kachalla Jafaru, Kachalla Barume, Kachalla Shehu, Tsoho, Kachalla Yellow Mai Buhu, Yellow Sirajo, Kachalla Dan Muhammadu, Kachalla Makasko, Sanda, Abdulbasiru Ibrahim, Mai Wagumbe, Kachalla Begu, Kwalfa, Ma’aikaci, Yellow Hassan, Umaru Na Bugala, Isyaka Gwarnon Daji, Iliya Babban Kashi, Auta Dan Mai Jan Ido, and Yahaya Dan Shama.
Education Revolution
Recognising the crucial link between education and development, the Dauda Lawal administration declared a state of emergency in the education sector. This initiative aimed to combat illiteracy, empower the youth and women, and establish a strong foundation for sustainable social and economic progress in the state.
The governor has implemented sound school infrastructure and teacher development programmes in his past year in office. The projects are designed to correct the deteriorating state of education inherited from the previous administration and revive the sector to conform to the best international standards. The Lawal administration paid N1.4 billion in outstanding examination fees for indigent students who sat for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (SSCE) in the past three years. WAEC had released all the withheld results following the payment of the examination fees owed by previous governments. Similarly, Governor Lawal approved and ensured the payment of the National Examination Council (NECO) fees for all public school candidates who sat for the 2023 exams. Certificates for the candidates who sat for the 2019 NECO examinations have since been collected and distributed to the students.
The results of the NECO exams taken in 2020, 2021, and 2022 were also released to students in November 2023. The results were previously withheld by the examination body due to defaults in payment by the previous administration. It is heartwarming to note that, with Lawal’s intervention, students who graduated during those years can now access their results and apply to different tertiary institutions for admission.
In terms of infrastructure, the legislative administration has started the construction and renovation of 245 schools spread across the 14 local government areas (LGAs) of the state. This effort involves not only renovating these schools but also providing two-seater desks for 9,542 pupils and students, furnishing 1,545 tables and chairs for teachers, and carrying out the rehabilitation and remodelling of 28 schools throughout the state.
To address the menace of out-of-school children and encourage girl-child enrollment and retention in school, the Lawal administration contributed N150 million as a counterpart fund to fast-track the implementation of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment Additional Financing (AGILE-AF). AGILE-AF is a World Bank education intervention programme aimed at empowering young girls to complete basic education and acquire skills to enable them to become self-reliant and contribute to the development of society.
Governor Lawal has also provided office space to the project implementing team and conducted a needs assessment exercise in 123 basic and post-basic schools and 40 non-formal Islamic schools in the state. In his determination to provide a safe and conducive learning environment, the Dauda Lawal administration has revived the school feeding scheme in 10 senior boarding schools for the 2023–2024 academic session while extending scholarships and bursary awards to cover the tuition fees of students studying in Nigerian institutions and overseas, including Sudan, Cyprus, and India. This gesture is to ensure the seamless progression of their academic pursuits.
Lawal has also sponsored 50 percent of Zamfara indigenes admitted to the Federal Government Girls College Gusau for the 2023–2024 academic sessions. To buttress its drive to ensure access to quality education, the governor approved the suspension of the licenses of private education providers in the state. This ensures that private schools meet the required standards for providing quality education in a comfortable environment with well-trained teachers, quality infrastructure, and necessary equipment. Governor Dauda Lawal constructed additional classrooms and renovated the exam halls.
Transforming Healthcare Services
On January 30, 2024, Governor Dauda Lawal declared a state of emergency in the health sector, with a view to tackling the rot in the system and transforming the sector towards the delivery of quality healthcare services in the state. To this end, the legislative administration rolled out infrastructure and capacity development projects in health facilities across the state. The projects include the rehabilitation and provision of equipment at the general hospitals in Maradun, Maru, Kauran Namoda, Gusau, and the primary health centre in Nasarawa Burkullu, as well as the rehabilitation of the School of Health Technology, Tsafe.
Importantly, Lawal has organised a Special Modified Medical Outreach Programme to address critical healthcare needs and improve people’s quality of life. The outreach provided free medical services to people with cases of cataracts, groyne swellings (hernias, hydroceles), vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) repairs, and health education. This is the first time in Zamfara’s history that the state government is engaging in a free medical outreach that covers such critical areas; the ongoing modified outreach utilises tele-screening for patients from rural and semi-urban areas to provide specialised care to people in need.
About 1,858 people have so far benefited from the free medical outreach across the 14 LGAs in the state, including 747 groyne swellings, 246 swellings and lumps, 781 cataract surgeries, and 84 VVF repairs, as well as the supply of medical supplies to hospitals across the state.
Enhancing Access to Clean Water
For many years, residents of Gusau, the state capital, and other parts of the state have been experiencing acute water shortages due to the collapse of urban and rural water schemes, a situation that forced them to rely on unwholesome water sources. However, the governor conducted total turnaround maintenance on the facilities to ensure a steady water supply to meet the growing demand of the population. Today, most parts of the state enjoy access to potable water.
Civil Service Reform
Upon taking office, Dauda Lawal initiated a civil service reform programme aimed at revitalising the workforce. This programme focused on capacity-building training, creating conducive work environments, and introducing improved welfare packages. These efforts were designed to cultivate a dynamic and results-driven workforce to propel the development agenda of his administration.
Some of the laudable achievements include the payment of withheld salaries to workers. The immediate past administration owed four months’ salaries to the workers. In appreciation of the workers’ contributions to the attainment of government policies and programmes, as well as concern for their welfare, Dauda Lawal quickly sourced funds to pay off the backlog of four months’ salaries, including the withheld salaries of local government workers and primary school teachers. The governor approved the payment of N4 billion in backlog gratuities to retired workers owed since 2011. Workers also received a 10 percent leave grant for the first time in the history of the state.
Regarding restructuring, the legislative administration has reduced the number of ministries in the state from 28 to 16 and the number of permanent secretaries from 48 to 23. This is to reinvigorate the service, promote good work ethics and productivity, cut government expenditures, and promote transparency and accountability in the service.
Road Infrastructure/Urban Renewal Project
On August 18, 2023, the Dauda Lawal administration embarked on massive road construction projects under the Urban Renewal Project in Gusau and other major towns in the state. The first phase of the project involves reconstructing and improving 3.5 kilometres of township roads in Gusau and enhancing the drainage system. The project was awarded to Ronchess Nigeria Limited, starting from Bello Barau Roundabout—Old Market Road, Bello Barau Roundabout—Central Police Station Road, Bello Barau Roundabout—Government House Road, and Kwanar Yan Keke—Emir’s Palace—Tankin Ruwa Road.
A 14-kilometre dualized road was also awarded to the construction giant to link Government House-LLalan Mareri, Government House-SSule Zumunci Pharmacy, and Danlarai Mosque-NNasiha Pharmacy, as well as reclaiming the government house gate and landscaping. A 3.4 km dual carriageway project was awarded to TRIACTA Nigeria Ltd. from Lalan Sokoto Road, Government House, and the construction of 13 km of township roads was awarded to MOTHER CAT NIG. LTD. for the relocation of Lalan-LLalan New 7 numbers of township roads.
Some of the completed road projects, like Freedom Square—Nasiha Chemist Junction and Freedom Square—Government House—Lalan—Gada Biyu, were commissioned in June 2024 by a former governor of Bauchi State, Ahmed Mu’azu.
Other projects that have been executed include the renovation and furnishing of the state secretariat complex, the rehabilitation of courtrooms and legislative quarters, NYSC Camp, the recovery of the Governor’s Lodge Kaduna, and the remodelling of Sardauna Memorial Stadium, Gusau.
The Governor also approved the award of the contract for the construction of the ultra-modern Central Motor Park to Fieldmark Construction Ltd., amounting to N4.8 billion, as part of a crucial component of the state’s Urban Renewal Programme that will significantly enhance the state’s transport infrastructure and service delivery.
Empowering youth and women
The Dauda Lawal administration has so far empowered 1,500 youths and women to reduce poverty and provide employment opportunities under the Zamfara Youth Sanitation Programme (ZAYOSAP). ZAYOSAP is an integral part of the urban renewal project designed to make Gusau and its environs hygienic, clean, and safe for residents.
Another landmark achievement of the administration is the implementation of environmental protection projects under the ACReSAL programme and the Ministry of Environment ecosystem. These include contracts for the procurement and installation of solar-powered boreholes in five communities and the construction of five earth dams to provide potable drinking water for people and animals, as well as irrigation.
Governor Dauda Lawal negotiated with the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDCO) to restore electricity supply to all government agencies, which had been without power for many years due to the non-payment of N1.2 billion in electricity bills.
To further enhance good governance, Governor Dauda Lawal has recently signed an agreement with several development partners, including UNICEF, the World Bank, and the Melinda & Gates Foundation, and settled the ground rent for the Governor’s Lodges in Abuja and Kaduna.
Makama is a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region.
