By Mohammed Bwago
By the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has two more years remaining in his first term and is constitutionally eligible to seek re-election for a second term of four years. Given his track record of effective governance, infrastructural development, and people-oriented policies, Governor Aliyu continues to gain widespread support across the state. As activities towards the 2027 governorship election begin to gather momentum, political analysts are already predicting a smooth re-election for the amiable governor. With growing consensus around his leadership and the apparent absence of any formidable opposition, the upcoming election is widely expected to be a formality — a walkover for the incumbent administration.
Since assuming office in 2023, Governor Aliyu has shouldered the weight of immense public expectations, further amplified by his campaign promises — crystallised in the 9-Point SMART Agenda, a blueprint designed to tackle the state’s most persistent challenges. He has done so with the calmness and confidence of a seasoned captain navigating a complex course.
The first two years of his administration have gone far beyond mere foundation-laying. They have been marked by decisive leadership, strategic interventions, and impactful progress. Confronted with pressing security challenges upon assuming office, the governor acted swiftly and effectively to restore stability and protect lives and property, particularly in areas bordering Zamfara State. He prioritized the delivery of critical infrastructure and ensured prudent management of the state’s resources.
These achievements have not only rekindled hope but also significantly raised expectations. The people of Sokoto State, having endured years of hardship under the previous administration of Aminu Tambuwal — which the Commissioner for Water Resources, Aminu Iya, described as “a tragedy of monumental scale” — now demand sustained progress and deeper transformation. The bar has been raised, and the momentum must be maintained.
Having raised the bar in just two years, there is only one direction for the “people’s governor” to go — and that is upward. Fortunately, Governor Ahmed Aliyu has consistently demonstrated not only the capacity but also the unwavering passion to deliver results that exceed expectations. His performance has rekindled belief in government’s ability to transform lives.
As the administration enters the second half of its first term, the key question is: Which sectors should Governor Aliyu prioritize to consolidate the gains already made and drive even greater impact? Without a doubt, the next two years offer a critical opportunity to expand development and leave a lasting legacy across the sectors that matter most to the people. Here’s what he needs to focus on:
Although security agencies are under the firm control of the Federal Government, the Sokoto State Government has been compelled to take an active role in addressing insecurity — because it is the people of Sokoto who are being attacked, raped, and killed. In response, the state has made notable progress, particularly in vulnerable areas. However, the focus must now shift from reactive responses to long-term preventive strategies. The governor should increase investments in community policing and intelligence gathering by providing continuous training for members of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps. Additionally, deeper collaboration with federal security agencies is essential, particularly in leveraging technology and surveillance tools to proactively combat insurgency and other emerging threats.
Ongoing school construction, rehabilitation, and improved access are commendable achievements. Going forward, the emphasis must shift to quality education — retraining teachers, introducing incentives to retain them, and upgrading the curriculum to modern standards. Greater investment in girl-child education and inclusive learning for persons with disabilities is also essential. In today’s knowledge-driven world, the state must expand digital literacy and vocational training to prepare students for global competitiveness and economic self-reliance.
Governor Aliyu has made impressive progress in infrastructure, particularly in opening up rural areas and connecting communities for economic growth. The next step is to ensure these developments translate directly into economic and social benefits. This includes prioritizing maintenance of roads and public infrastructure, increasing rural investments in feeder roads, markets, and solar electrification, and scaling up housing construction for low- and middle-income earners.
The revitalization of healthcare facilities is commendable. The administration’s policy of employing medical students and bonding them for two years is a smart move to address staffing gaps. This initiative should be expanded to include other critical healthcare professionals to achieve full functionality across health facilities. The governor should also pursue broader implementation of health insurance coverage for the poor and vulnerable, digitization of hospital records for better service delivery, and stronger maternal and child health programs to reduce preventable deaths.
Recognizing the importance of water, Governor Aliyu declared a state of emergency on water supply within his first three months in office and reactivated the long-abandoned 40 Million Gallons Daily Water Project, originally initiated under Senator Aliyu Wamakko but left incomplete by the previous administration. He has since completed and commissioned the Tamaje Water Scheme, which delivers 3 million gallons of potable water daily to Sokoto City and surrounding communities, and the Old Airport Water Scheme, activated on June 23, 2025.
To build on these gains, the governor should urgently complete the Gagi, Mana, Runjin Sambo, and Rugar Liman schemes. Once operational, these are projected to collectively deliver 40 million gallons per day. Equally important is the rehabilitation and construction of high-capacity boreholes, equipped with solar-powered pumps and modern filtration systems. Completing over 180 km of pipeline network and expanding water treatment capacity would further strengthen the water supply system for residents and businesses alike.
In rural and underserved communities, equitable access to potable water should remain a top priority. The ongoing rehabilitation of 72 earth dams, including Goronyo, Shagari, and Lungu, in partnership with the Federal Government, is expected to significantly boost irrigation and rural water supply under the state-led SPIN programme.
Support to farmers has led to increased productivity — a strong start. The next phase should focus on value addition through the establishment of agro-processing facilities to reduce post-harvest losses. Facilitating access to credit, insurance, and modern farming equipment; strengthening cooperatives; and linking farmers to local and regional markets will unlock job creation, increase incomes, and accelerate economic development.
In summary, the next two years must go beyond completing ongoing projects. The governor must institutionalize reforms, build systemic resilience, and ensure development outcomes reach the grassroots. He has laid a solid foundation — now is the time to scale, sustain, and secure his legacy through strategic governance and inclusive growth. Reforms in land administration, public service delivery, and internal revenue generation should also be deepened to fund development initiatives.
There is no doubt that sustained engagement with the people and effective implementation of policies will be essential to delivering the administration’s mandate — and making the 2027 governorship election a clear walkover.
For the people of Sokoto State, the question is clear: Do they want to continue on the path of inclusive progress under Governor Ahmed Aliyu, or risk slipping back into stagnation and inertia? That is the choice before them in the next two years. The clock is ticking. The opportunity is now.
Postscript: As the administration prepares for its second term, an independent impact assessment of the 9-Point SMART Agenda is highly recommended. This will help evaluate real outcomes, identify what has worked, and reallocate resources where necessary for maximum impact.
