By Usman Garba Abubakar
A silent revolution is sweeping across Sokoto State under the administration Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto across the various sectors in line with his 9- Point Smart Agenda. The governor has taken bold steps to rewrite the developmental narrative of the historic Seat of the Caliphate, moving the state from its initial state of inertia to a forward-looking model of sustainable growth.
While progress has been made across a broad spectrum of key sectors, four areas stand out for their impact, sustainability, and resonance with the needs of everyday citizens; these are education, the digital economy, human capital empowerment and agriculture.
One of the most significant legacies of the Ahmad Aliyu administration in Sokoto state is its aggressive commitment to revamping the educational sector. Recognizing that no society can rise above the quality of its educational system, the government has aggressively embarked on a deliberate mission to reform and rebuild schools across all levels.
Since May, 2023, when the progressive, young and energetic governor assumed duties as the state’s executive, over 300 dilapidated public primary and secondary schools have been renovated, with modern classrooms, libraries, and sanitation facilities. In addition to infrastructure, the government has implemented a comprehensive teacher recruitment and training programme, adding over 2,000 qualified educators to the workforce.
Teachers in Sokoto state now benefit from continuous professional development programmes in collaboration with institutions like the National Teachers’ Institute and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
In higher education, funding has been drastically increased for Sokoto State University and the Shehu Shagari College of Education, resulting in improved laboratories, functional ICT centres, and enhanced staff welfare.
A historic move came with the funding of the Sokoto Education Endowment Fund, and the State Scholarship Board aimed at providing scholarships, research grants, and financial support for indigent students.It must be stressed that former governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko,instituted a funding mechanism where each of the 23 local government councils contributed to the fund.
Most notably, the state has aggressively pushed its “Back-to-School” campaign, aimed at reversing the troubling trend of out-of-school children. Partnering with UNICEF and other global agencies, the initiative has seen over 100,000 children enrolled back into school in the past 18 months, with special focus on girl-child education in the rural areas.
Once considered a backwater in technological innovation, Sokoto State is now emerging as a rising digital hub in Northern Nigeria. The state’s Ministry of Innovation and Digital Economy, established in 2023, has become the central driving force in the ongoing digital transformation.
The flagship Sokoto Digital Inclusion Programme (SDIP), has provided free digital literacy training to more than 50,000 youths and civil servants, covering basic computing, software development, and data analytics. Training centers have also been set up in each of the state’s 23 local government areas, to ensure grassroots penetration of digital skills.
To support entrepreneurship and innovation, the government launched the Sokoto Tech Hub, a state of the art facility equipped with co-working spaces, high-speed internet, mentorship, and seed funding. The Hub has already incubated over 40 startups, ranging from e-commerce platforms to agri-tech innovations. A new partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the private sector has further strengthened Sokoto state’s capacity to compete in the digital age.
Governor Ahmad Sokoto understands that education is key and that explains the investment in education. Sokoto State, in the last two years has consistently exceeded the United Nations Education and Socio-Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation that nationals and sub- nationals allocate 26% of their total budget to the educational sector. This is a sign of Governor Sokoto’s ambition to produce a trained workforce for the upcoming industries.
Internet connectivity has also improved through the Sokoto Broadband Expansion Project, which seeks to extend affordable internet access to semi-urban and rural communities. By mid 2025, more than 200 public institutions, schools, hospitals, and local government offices have been connected.
This digital transformation is not just about infrastructure, but also about digital governance. The state has adopted e-Government practices in many areas, including online license renewal, digital tax filing, and e-procurement systems. This has greatly reduced corruption and improved transparency in the conduct of government business.
At the heart of Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto’s development philosophy is human capital empowerment, moving citizens from dependency to productivity. This has translated into the various robust, multi-sectoral initiatives targeting the youths, women, and artisans. To drive the empowerment and skills acquisition programmes,a ministry of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development has been established.
The Sokoto Youth Enterprise Scheme (SO-YES) is one such initiative, providing startup grants, vocational training, and mentoring to over 30,000 young people since its inception. With an average grant of N300,000, young entrepreneurs have launched businesses in tailoring, metal works, baking, and agribusiness.
For women, the Sokoto Women’s Empowerment Fund (SWEF) has disbursed over N1.2 billion in micro-grants to support cooperative societies, market women, and single mothers, many of whom were previously excluded from formal financial services. The fund also offers financial literacy and cooperative management workshops, significantly increasing repayment rates and business sustainability.
The state also rolled out the “Skills for All” initiative, equipping thousands with in-demand skills like mobile phone repair, solar installation, and fashion design. Mobile training vans have brought learning directly to underserved communities, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Agriculture remains the lifeblood of Sokoto state economy, employing over 70 percent of the residents. Recognizing this, the administration has made it a cornerstone of its development blueprint, blending traditional practices with modern techniques.
Through the Sokoto Agricultural Transformation Agenda (SATA), the state has strategically empowered over 150,000 farmers with subsidized inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, and modern tools. Extension services have been revitalized, with over 500 new agricultural officers deployed to rural communities. Governor Ahmad Sokoto is dead serious about farmers earning more income for their efforts and for Sokoto State to be the food basket of Nigeria.
Irrigation infrastructure has also witnessed significant expansion, particularly around the Goronyo Dam and along the Rima River, allowing farmers to grow crops all year round. This has helped double yields of rice, maize, and vegetables in many parts of the state.
Livestock farming has not been left out. The government has invested in the modernization of grazing reserves, veterinary services, and fodder banks, supporting pastoralists and reducing farmer herder conflicts. A new Cattle Breeding and Artificial Insemination Centre in Illela is expected to improve the quality of local breeds and boost meat and dairy production. It’s eying the Saudi Arabian market.
To further integrate farmers into the value chain, Sokoto state has attracted private sector investment in agro processing. The newly commissioned Sokoto Rice Mill and Tomato Processing Plant are set to create over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, while also reducing post-harvest losses.
The Green Sokoto Initiative encourages climate-smart agriculture, tree planting, and sustainable land management, in response to desertification and climate change.
Sokoto state is witnessing a transformation that goes beyond roads and buildings. It is a human-centered revolution, one that uplifts, educates, and empowers its people. While challenges remain, especially in terms of expanding access, the state government has laid a solid foundation in education, digital innovation, economic empowerment, and agricultural reform.
In a region often overshadowed by negative stereotypes, Sokoto State under Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto is proving that with vision, discipline, and political will, development is not just possible, it is inevitable.
As the state moves forward, the focus must remain on inclusion,and sustainability. Sokoto state no doubt is pointing the way to the rest of Nigeria and the wider Sahel.
