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In the past six years, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has run an all-inclusive government devoid of politics. The aim of which is to develop the state through the deployment of scarce resources.
By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu
The economic policy of the first Trump administration was characterized by the individual and corporate tax cuts, attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”), trade protectionism, deregulation focused on the energy and financial sectors, and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over his first term, Trump reduced federal taxes and increased federal spending, both of which significantly increased federal budget deficits and the national debt.
The positive economic situation he inherited from the Obama administration continued, with a labor market approaching full employment and measures of household income and wealth continuing to improve further into record territory.
Trump also implemented trade protectionism via tariffs, primarily on imports from China.
In a different climate and setup, Governor Abdullahi Sule upon assumption of office on Thursday, May 29, 2019, had no alternative than to take very hard decisions to enable him add value to the lives of the people of Nasarawa state.
Sule, who clocked six years as the fourth democratically elected Governor of Nasarawa State, took decision to complete all abandoned projects initiated by his predecessors while initiating new ones across sectors of the State economy.
Sule’s campaign slogan “industrialize Nasarawa state to build an economy that will take youths off the streets”, is a reflection of that genuine commitment, to improving the welfare of the people.
This underpins the reason why in the last six years, there has been no sector that Governor Sule’s transformative leadership hasn’t fundamentally touched.
It has been breathtaking how he achieves his goals, given the State’s lean resources. And there are no indications that governor Sule, is ready to surrender as he definitely wants to maintain that momentum and finish strong.
In recent past, he informed members of his defunct State Executive Council that he would want his remaining two years to be the most productive years.
It is no longer news that the administration of Governor Sule has witnessed a massive transformation that cuts across various sectors of the State’s economy.
Conveniencely, his unwavering commitment and dedication to the development of Nasarawa State has seen his administration spreading its tentacles of development on key sectors of the economy and prominent among them are construction of a sixteen billion naira Lafia Flyover and underpass, which experts described as a marvel of speed and quality.
However, the completion of the Lafia Flyover and Underpass and the inauguration by president Bola Ahmed Tinibu on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 in Lafia ,Nasarawa State capital, is setting a new benchmark for infrastructure development in Nigeria and beyond.
Although initially scheduled for completion in 18 months, the project is already completed in just 13 months—demonstrating a remarkable blend of speed, quality, and efficient project management.
Mr. Adamus Bisallah-Yahaya, Director of Public Relations at Triacta’s Area Office in Lafia, shared this during an interview with our correspondent in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.
He credited the success to the strong partnership between the Nasarawa State Government, the Nasarawa Urban Development Board (NUDB), and Triacta Nigeria Ltd.
“This project reflects what is possible when there is seamless collaboration and consistent funding,” Bisallah-Yahaya said. “Thanks to the leadership of our visionary Area Manager, Engineer Fersan Daou, we are confident the project will be delivered ahead of schedule and to the highest standards.”
He also urged the government and professional bodies such as the Nigerian Union of Engineers (NUE), to reward firms and individuals who consistently deliver excellence in infrastructure development. “Recognizing top performers like Engineer Fersan Daou will help entrench a culture of quality across the country,” he added.
Bisallah-Yahaya encouraged governments at all levels to prioritize efficiency and quality by partnering with reputable construction firms like Triacta Nigeria Ltd, which he described as committed to delivering exceptional and timely results.
Meanwhile, residents including Musa Danjuma and Mr. John Daniel have lauded Governor Abdullahi Sule for his administration’s developmental strides across the state.
They described the Lafia flyover and underpass as a “legacy project” that will significantly elevate the state’s status.
“This is the first of its kind since Nasarawa was created in 1996,” they noted. “It will ease traffic congestion, improve safety, and boost connectivity. We urge future leaders to follow Governor Sule’s development blueprint and continue delivering the dividends of democracy.”
They expressed confidence that the project will improve urban mobility and the quality of life for Lafia residents.
Also speaking to our correspondent, Musa Saidu Gude, Chairman of the House Committee on the Nasarawa Urban Development Board and Member representing Uke/Karshi Constituency (SDP), praised the quality and speed of the work during an oversight visit to the site.
He emphasized that the project which has been completed would stand out not only in Nasarawa State but throughout the North Central region.
It will be recalled that in April 2024, Governor Sule reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development by approving the 1.2-kilometer Lafia flyover-underpass combination.
However, Governor Sule, has also disclosed that arrangements have been concluded for President Bola Tinubu to perform the groundbreaking for the N10 billion Keffi flyover in Keffi Local Government Area of the state, immediately after the president inaugurates the Lafia flyover and underpass legacy project.
Governor Sule, who revealed this in Keffi where he was special guest and visitor at the 4th stakeholders meeting and 1st anniversary of Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman as Vice-Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), said that Tinubu’s policies were making it possible for governors to execute projects.
Sule applauded the policy initiatives of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is providing opportunities for governors in the country to execute more projects as a result of improved revenue.
The governor particularly commended the Tinubu administration for its policy on the devaluation and unification of the naira that brought to an end the multiple foreign exchange markets and rates.
Although, governor Sule has since granted approval for the release of six hundred million naira for payment as compensation to the people who would be affected by the construction of Keffi Flyover.
A peep into agricultural sector, governor Sule committed to the development of this sub-sector of the State’s economy by wooing both foreign and local investors, provision of Agricultural incentives such as distribution of seedlings fertilizers as well as tractors to farmers across the 13 Local Government Areas of the State.
As a further testament to the determination of Governor Sule to develop this all important sector, his administration has cultivated ten thousand hectares of Rice Farm in Jangwa, Awe Local Government Area. There are plans for acquisition of more land for further cultivation.
Furthermore, the Governor has signed a memorandum of understanding with various globally recognised companies including an agricultural machinery production company in Mumbai, India where agreement was reached with the management of the Company with a view to improving agriculture and ensuring food security in Nasarawa State and the country at large.
In the same vein, the administration of governor Sule has completed the construction of a world class State of the art Secretariat Complex which provides Office accommodations for the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Civil Service, the State Accountant General and the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport.
Prior to the administration of Governor Sule, retirees in Nasarawa State were faced with myriads of challenges in accessing their entitlements.
But with the coming onboard of this administration, the story has changed for the better as the Governor graciously approved the payment of gratuity and pension benefits to the retirees of both state and local government areas on a quarterly basis.
Others are agriculture, education, science and technology, women and youth empowerment, peace and security, health, economic development, mining and above all provision of quality infrastructure among others noble projects cut across the state.
Recently too, Governor Sule granted approval to the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board, (NSUBEB) to employ over four thousand qualified and professional teachers who would be posted to primary schools with a view to improving the standard of basic education.
It is evident that Governor Sule is desirous of leaving the State better than he met it. The giant strides he has recorded in different sectors of the socioeconomic life of the State. It is hoped that as he promised,the last lap of his administration will end on this trajectory.
Ogwu, a journalist and public affairs analyst, writes from Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital
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