“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality” – Warren Bennis
Why is Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto Sokoto so passionately focused on the infrastructural development of Sokoto State? The logical and straightforward answer is because infrastructure is crucial for economic growth, improved quality of life, facilitates trade, reduces costs for businesses, makes movement easier for people and enhances overall productivity, well-being and access to essential services. A state with run down facilities,that lacks potable water, good roads etc will obviously be the last choice for investors.It’s important to strongly stress that infrastructural projects are not ends in themselves,rather the importance of world class infrastructure to the economy and the society as derives from the services that they offer. So the real output of top notch infrastructure is service and it’s not investment in infrastructure for infrastructure sake.
Of what use is it for Governor Sokoto or any governor for that matter seek for investors, when the state’s facilities are thrash and can’t drive economic growth?
Unfortunately, despite the importance of infrastructure, and the fact that Sokoto State’s existing infrastructure were overtaxed due to rural – urban migration and increase in population, between 2015- 2023 former governor Aminu Tambuwal’s administration made near zero investment in infrastructure, both in terms of maintenance and in new critical projects. According to Richard Mudges, “the deterioration of existing facilities and their insufficient capacity to accommodate future growth will eventually constrain economic development”,makes continuous investment in infrastructural development a compelling priority. an advice that was music in Tambuwal’s ears.
Sokoto State, between 2015-2023 was on a critical life support because the Tambuwal administration had literally suffocated it. Had Tambuwal built on the legacy of former governor Aliyu Wamakko, the efforts of Governor Sokoto would have turned the state into an Eldorado.
Due to Tambuwal’s years of neglect, it’s estimated that Sokoto State needs at least two trillion naira to address its infrastructural deficits. To reverse the crisis
Governor Sokoto needs to sustain and surpass his present level of spending (subject to availability of funds) to bring Sokoto’s infrastructure to an appreciable level.
Governor Sokoto,a confirmed disciple of Heraclitus school that believes that “Big results,require big ambitions” and who he has never hidden his determination to turn the state into a well planned modern city, the ultimate destination for business and the food basket of Nigeria, has so far given a credible account of himself, even though he had to build from virtually from the scratch in every sector.
In the last two(2) years, Governor Sokoto has strategically invested in critical infrastructure; spending over N40 billion in roads construction, over N30 billion in the construction of housing estates, over N14.1 billion investment in water supply projects, and a N32 billion investment for the completion of the Sokoto power plant. These investments are part of Governor Sokoto’s administration’s broader effort at addressing the significant infrastructure deficits of the state.
Since the administration of former governor Wamakko, Sokoto State has not witnessed a “roads revolution”, the massive rehabilitation and construction of roads, which reflects the governor’s desire to deliver a planned,orderly and coherent development of the state. So far Governor Sokoto has constructed over 126 township roads in line with his transformative 9- Point Smart Agenda. In 2024 alone, he executed more than 250 consequential projects and it’s not surprising that he has since refused to take off his legs from the pedal so as to facilitate the seamless movement of goods and services, boost economic activities, and improve the overall quality of life of the residents.
As part of the activities marking his impactful two years anniversary, the 7.7 km Gande–Male–Gwahitto–Fako Road, executed under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) was commissioned. This vital roadway will enhance rural connectivity and boost agricultural productivity in the Binji and Silame Local Government Areas. The Gawon Nama Off Zurmi and Girabshi township roads were also commissioned. There are several other ongoing township road projects across the length and breadth of Sokoto metropolis as part of the administration’s commitment to transform the infrastructure of Sokoto State.
The Governor Sokoto’s administration has no doubt creditably conducted itself in the area of roads infrastructure and deserves an A+.
Governor Sokoto has proven that governance is not about whining,but about taking action. When he took over the mantle of leadership he inherited a state with acute water shortage with residents buying a jerrycan of water for between 200 to 300 naira, and rather than complaining took decisive action to ensure a steady and improved supply of clean water.
When on 23rd June,2025 Governor Mai Mala Buni, of Yobe State commissioned the 3 million liters per day old airport Water Supply Project,one of the six(6) township water supply schemes being constructed across Sokoto metropolis, the joy of the people of the state was palpable against the backdrop of the more than eight(8) years of acute water shortage due to the inexplicable failure of the Aminu Tambuwal administration to complete the six(6) water projects, which former governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko had initiated to frontally address the water crisis.
It needs be stressed that when the Tambuwal administration managed to pump water,it was not processed due to lack of water treatment chemicals. It beats imagination why Tambuwal didn’t see the benefit of completing the various water projects that he inherited. Not even the notoriety that Sokoto State had acquired for water borne diseases- cholera, typhoid, dysentery etc due to lack of pipe borne water and dependency on contaminated water moved a man who from his very first year as governor wanted to be president into action.
It need be stressed that Governor Sokoto’s daring and ambitious dreams to ensure a steady and improved water for the people of the state has just started taking shape. The commissioning of the 3 million liters per day old airport water supply scheme and the reactivation of vandalized water scheme is just a tip of the iceberg and the governor shouldn’t be begrudged for popping champagne for conquering in two (2) years, a project that for eight(8) years defied the Aminu Tambuwal administration.
More heartening is Governor Sokoto’s vow not to relent until the Tamaje Water scheme, the Gagi Water Scheme, the Mana Water Scheme, the Runjin Sambo Water Scheme and Ruga Liman Water Scheme which were carefully selected based on population density and high-need zones across the metropolis and its environs are successfully completed. When completed the Six (6) water schemes are expected to provide 40 million gallons per day to the people of Sokoto metropolis.
By completing the old airport water scheme, Governor Sokoto killed several birds with one stone: he addressed the issue of waterborne diseases, created jobs and increased economic development. He is also tackling head on the recent water shortage experienced in the metropolis occasioned by the erratic power supply and inadequate water from the rivers supplying the main water intake plant.
Due to waterborne diseases an estimated hundreds of lives were lost and thousands suffered from tropical diseases like cholera, intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, and trachoma. That’s now in the past. Sokoto State will henceforth be mentioned in the positives and not in the negatives due to the completion of this water project.
Another area that is over receiving attention of the governor is housing, which is quite understandable. Sokoto State, has an acute housing shortage,hence the governor’s resolve to address a problem that is affecting the citizens. Is that not why he was elected?
When in 2023 the governor came on board the state had no single property in its name except the government house, because the Tambuwal administration had virtually sold off properties belonging to the state, while it tragically failed to build any and as it’s normal with him it abandoned the 500 housing estate at Gidan Salanke initiated by Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko. Governor Sokoto, unlike Tambuwal has within the last two(2) years delivered a total of 1,13O new houses. They include the 1,000 housing units in Gidan Salanke and Wajake, and the 130 housing units acquired from the federal government in the Kwannawa area. These initiatives reflect the governor’s determination to address the housing deficit.
And the world has taken notice. In 2024, Governor Sokoto was honored by Africa Housing Awards with the prestigious Urban Planning/Housing – Friendly Governor of the year,in recognition of his “transformative approach to addressing housing and urban planning challenges in Sokoto State and commitment to urban renewal and housing development through policies and projects that prioritize improved access to affordable housing, infrastructure development, and sustainable urban planning practices”.
Governor Sokoto, has shown that he more than deserves his award by his continuing investment in the construction of houses for the people.
Governor Sokoto has in the last two(2) years given a very credible account of himself,and would definitely deliver more in the next two (2) years because he is committed to developing the state. He will succeed because he has remained refused and refused to be distracted. Governor Sokoto deserves commendation for erasing the creeping cynicism amongst the people about the capacity of government to deliver essential services.
Postscript: Part Two will look at the Sokoto State Geographical Information Center, power, empowerment and education.