By Adamu Muhd Usman
“The challenge is not to manage time but to manage ourselves.” — Stephen Covey
Malam Umar Namadi, popularly known as Dan Modi, distinguished himself among the contenders for the Jigawa APC gubernatorial ticket—not because he was the loudest or most visible, but precisely because many did not expect him to run, let alone win the 2023 primaries or the general election.
This skepticism was not rooted in a lack of experience or popularity, but rather in his humble and austere personality—even as Deputy Governor of the state.
Yet, by Allah’s grace, Malam Umar Namadi (FCA) defied the odds to emerge victorious in both the primaries and the general election, becoming the Governor of Jigawa State.
His rise and performance remain a subject of public discourse, political analysis, and media attention.
In under two years in office, Governor Namadi’s administration has delivered tangible and lasting democratic dividends, despite facing numerous challenges. These include a heavy debt burden, unpaid pensions, arrears owed to contractors, an understaffed civil service, deteriorating education and health sectors, farmer-herder conflicts, poor infrastructure, widespread poverty, recurring floods, high maternal and child mortality rates, and alarming unemployment levels.
The administration also inherited neglected education, health, and agricultural sectors. Many schools—from primary to tertiary institutions—had been rendered unfit to meet present-day challenges due to years of administrative neglect.
Before Dan Modi assumed office, over 70% of pupils in public primary schools lacked adequate seating. Classrooms were overcrowded, with 70 to 90 students in a single space. Furthermore, more than 60% of the 13,000 primary school teachers in the state did not possess the minimum National Certificate in Education (NCE), making them officially unqualified to teach.
Data from UNICEF and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) ranks Jigawa among the states with the highest number of out-of-school children—even though the state is not plagued by insurgency or widespread insecurity like Boko Haram or banditry. This underscores a serious gap in governance and priority-setting over the years.
In the health sector, Governor Namadi’s recruitment of over 2,000 healthcare workers, provision of scholarships for medical students abroad, and the reinstatement of free drugs for children under five, pregnant women, and inmates, are commendable. The revival of the Haihuwa Lafiya scheme—first introduced by the Lamido administration—and the renovation and construction of hospitals are steps in the right direction.
To combat youth unemployment, the administration has employed over 6,000 youths and provided vocational training, educational support, and empowerment through programs like J-Power.
Governor Namadi has also approved and implemented a new minimum wage of ₦70,000 since 2024. Car loans, motorcycles, and new vehicles have been distributed to civil servants, security agencies, and beneficiaries of youth employment schemes.
Palliative shops offering subsidized goods on credit to civil servants have been established across all 27 local government areas.
Pension arrears, which left many retirees waiting for up to 11 months under previous administrations, have been largely settled.
In the education sector, over 100 dilapidated schools have been rehabilitated. The administration has also paid hundreds of millions in student feeding allowances, raised the allowance amounts, hired over 5,000 qualified teachers, and settled billions of naira owed in pension arrears to retired teachers.
By midterm, the administration had spent billions to provide clean drinking water to communities across the state.
To advance agriculture and industrialization, MOUs and agreements have been signed with international partners, federal ministries, NGOs, and development organizations. The Governor’s visits to Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and most recently India (May 2025) aim to open Jigawa up to global agricultural and industrial models. Plans are underway to boost year-round farming using the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin, enabling the cultivation of rice, wheat, maize, and vegetables during both dry and rainy seasons.
Infrastructure development has also received significant attention—ranging from roads and housing to electrification projects.
The establishment of new ministries and agencies such as the Jigawa State ICT and Digital Economy Agency, the Hisbah Board, Tsangaya Schools Management Board, Resident Identity Management Agency, and an Anti-Corruption Agency is commendable. These institutions are expected to improve efficiency, reduce staff workload, and create employment opportunities.
Despite these gains, the administration continues to face challenges: resource limitations, harsh economic conditions, internal political frictions, and inadequate follow-up on project implementation.
I urge His Excellency to revive the Muhammadu Sanusi International Airport in Dutse, built under the Lamido administration. Exporting agricultural and livestock products through the airport could generate revenue, create jobs, and boost commercial activity in the state capital.
The education sector still needs special attention. Sule Lamido University, Kafin-Hausa, requires urgent intervention, and I believe the Vice-Chancellor can outline its specific needs. Quarterly teacher recruitment and consistent training should be institutionalized. Improving working conditions—especially in light of the newly implemented minimum wage—will yield better educational outcomes.
In the health sector, continuous recruitment is essential. The admission standards and training procedures of health schools under Dr. Sule Lamido (CON) and H.E. Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar should be reinstated to guarantee the competence of healthcare workers. The free medical services for vulnerable groups—children under five, pregnant women, and inmates—must be sustained.
To address frequent flooding, the government should prioritize the construction of culverts, drainage systems, bridges, and water reservoirs. Collaboration with security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community organizations is also essential to discourage harmful practices like indiscriminate waste disposal and illegal construction on water channels.
The age-old farmer-herder conflict remains a concern. Setting up a committee for conflict resolution is commendable and echoes efforts made during the Lamido administration. Reintroducing nomadic education policies will also help integrate and empower the Fulani community.
Governor Namadi’s recent visits to Ethiopia and India show a commitment to replicating successful farming models. We hope Jigawa farmers will benefit from increased support in mechanized farming, livestock development, and general agricultural productivity, thereby reducing tensions and boosting food security.
Lastly, the street lights installed across the 27 local government headquarters under the Lamido administration should be repaired and maintained.
The social security allowance for persons with disabilities—another initiative of the Lamido years—has thankfully been increased from ₦7,000 to ₦10,000 and expanded to 200 beneficiaries per LGA. This should continue, as it uplifts the vulnerable and discourages street begging.
I trust Governor Namadi will consider these suggestions as his administration continues to reshape Jigawa for the better.
Adamu writes from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State.