INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHI RAJI'UN
I received with profound sadness the news of the passing of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammad Sani II, CON, the Emir of Gumel. His death is a great loss not only to the Gumel Emirate but to the entire people of Jigawa State, the North, and Nigeria as a whole.
For more than four decades on the throne, His Royal Highness devoted himself to the service of his people and the peace and development of the Emirate. He was a respected traditional ruler whose wisdom, counsel and commitment to the welfare of his people will be remembered for many years to come.
On behalf of the government and the good people of Jigawa State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the royal family, the people of Gumel Emirate, the State Council of Chiefs, and all those who mourn this great loss. I pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) forgives his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds, and grants him Aljannatul Firdaus.
May Allah also grant the royal family, the people of Gumel Emirate, and the entire people of Jigawa State the strength and fortitude to bear this painful loss. Ameen.
Innalillahi wa’inna’ilaihi Raji’un😭
Allah ya yi wa mai martaba sarkin Gumel rasuwa, muna addu’ar Allah Ya jaddada masa rahma.
Ahmadun Gumel is no more.
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JIGAWA STATE AT 35
Saluting the Founding Fathers, Leaders, and People of Jigawa State on the 35th Anniversary of the Creation of Jigawa State
27th August 1991 – 27th August 2026
On this solemn and historic occasion of the 35th Anniversary of the creation of Jigawa State, the Government and Good People of Jigawa State give gratitude to Almighty Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful, for His mercy, guidance and protection over the State and its People.
On 27th August 1991, Jigawa State was created by the Federal Military Government under the leadership of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR, as part of a historic restructuring of the federation to bring governance closer to the people and promote more balanced development. Carved out of the old Kano State, Jigawa began its journey with Dutse as its capital and with a people united by history, purpose, faith, culture, enterprise and a shared aspiration for peace, progress and development.
This anniversary is a solemn moment of thanksgiving, remembrance, renewed hope and commitment. It offers an opportunity to salute the patriots whose vision, advocacy, sacrifice and public service made the birth and consolidation of Jigawa State possible.
Special tribute is paid to the founding fathers, elder statesmen, community leaders, public servants, professionals, women and youth leaders, civil society organizations, development partners and all men and women of goodwill who believed that the people of this land deserved a State through which their hopes and aspirations could find fuller expression.
With gratitude, Jigawa State acknowledges the services of all those, living and departed, who have had the privilege of leading the State since its creation, including the pioneer Military Administrator, Major-General Olayinka Sule, psc, dss, mni; the first elected civilian Governor, Alhaji Ali Sa’ad Birnin-Kudu; subsequent military administrators and civilian governors, including Brigadier General Ibrahim Aliyu, Colonel Rasheed Alade Shekoni, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Zakariya Maimalari, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki, Alhaji (Dr.) Sule Lamido, CON and Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni; as well as deputy governors, legislators, judges, commissioners, heads of service, permanent secretaries, local government leaders and civil servants who have contributed in different capacities to the growth of the State.
The government and people of Jigawa State also salute the traditional institutions and royal fathers across the emirates of Hadejia, Kazaure, Gumel, Ringim, and Dutse, together with all districts, village, and ward heads, ulamas, and the community leaders who have continued to serve as custodians of heritage, guardians of peace, and bridges between government and the people.
From the earliest days of institution-building to the present, Jigawa has advanced through the steady labour of its people. Farmers, traders, teachers, health workers, artisans, scholars, entrepreneurs, security personnel, religious leaders, and public officers, and many others, have all helped define the character of a State known for peace, resilience, discipline, and unity of purpose for the progress and development of the State.
As Governor, I recognise that the greatest tribute we can pay to our founding fathers and past leaders is not merely to remember their names, but to keep faith with their ideals and exemplary leadership. Those ideals require us to preserve peace, strengthen justice, expand opportunity, care for the vulnerable, protect public resources, respect our elders, invest in our young people, and build institutions that will outlive us.
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The 35th Anniversary is therefore a moment for thanksgiving, reflection, remembrance and renewed commitment. It is a time to honour yesterday, serve today and prepare for tomorrow. It is a time to recommit ourselves to the continued pursuit of a greater Jigawa: peaceful, prosperous, inclusive, disciplined, knowledge-driven, and anchored in the values that have sustained our people for generations.
The Government of Jigawa State therefore solicits the continued understanding, patience, and support of the good people of Jigawa State as the current administration pursues its transformative agenda for a Greater Jigawa, anchored in sustainable development, socioeconomic well-being, peace, and prosperity for all.
On behalf of the government and good people of Jigawa State, I extend heartfelt appreciation to all our founding fathers, past leaders, royal fathers, elder statesmen, civil servants, and citizens at home and in the diaspora. May Almighty Allah reward their service, forgive the shortcomings of those who have departed, strengthen those still with us, and continue to bless Jigawa State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Long live Jigawa State. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
His Excellency Malam Umar A. Namadi, FCA
Executive Governor of Jigawa State
Government House, Dutse
27th August 2026.
This Tuesday, I had the pleasure of receiving the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (@NUJNIGERIA), led by its National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, who were in Jigawa State for their NEC meeting. I appreciated their decision to hold the meeting in our state and their positive observations about some of the projects and programmes they visited.
During our discussion, I highlighted our efforts to transform agriculture, which remains the mainstay of our economy, with 80 to 90 percent of our population depending on it for their livelihoods. We are investing in irrigation, mechanization, extension services, research, and value addition to make agriculture more productive and profitable for our farmers.
I also shared our efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education through eight TVET centres of excellence and seven existing technical secondary schools. We have approved the training of 150 instructors in China in various technical trades to build the skills needed to support our institutions and economy.
I appreciate the NUJ leadership for their visit, constructive observations, and interest in the development of Jigawa State. These kinds of gatherings give us a real chance to share ideas and get some solid and useful feedback.
I pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) grants them all safe journeys back to their respective destinations.
Also this Wednesday, I received Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim, the member representing Birnin Kudu Constituency in the Jigawa State House of Assembly, after he decided to join the All Progressives Congress (@OfficialAPCNg ).
I welcomed him warmly into our great party and assured him that he will enjoy the same respect, dignity, and equal treatment that every member of the APC receives. Fairness, mutual respect and inclusiveness have always been at the heart of our party. Anyone who joins us with a genuine desire to serve will always find a place here.
I have always believed that politics should bring people together around one common goal — the progress and development of our State. Our administration will keep working with every well-meaning person who is ready to improve the lives of our people, no matter their previous political affiliation.
Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim’s decision to join the APC is another chance for us to strengthen our collective commitment to serving the people of Jigawa State with greater dedication.
I congratulate him on this step and look forward to working closely with him to promote peace, unity and lasting development for the good people of Birnin Kudu Constituency and Jigawa State as a whole.
Earlier today, I had the privilege of unveiling the Local Government Development Plans covering 2025 to 2030 for all 27 local government areas of our State. It was a quiet but important moment, one that reaffirmed my belief that lasting progress at the grassroots begins with clear direction and shared responsibility.
These plans are not an entirely new idea. They build on earlier efforts such as the Local Government Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy, but this time we have worked deliberately to modernise and institutionalise them. Through extensive consultations involving our people, traditional institutions, community representatives, women and youth groups, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, each plan now reflects both the aspirations of citizens and the priorities of our administration’s 12-Point Agenda, the State Comprehensive Development Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals.
What matters most is not the documents themselves, but what they will deliver. I have directed every local government council to treat these plans as their primary guide for strategies, annual budgets, workplans, projects and programmes. They must not gather dust on shelves. Their true value will be measured in more effective service delivery, capital investments that respond to the real needs of our communities, and visible improvements in the wellbeing of our people.
I am grateful to the Honourable Commissioner and staff of the Ministry for Local Government and Community Development, the chairmen of the 27 councils, traditional institutions and all who contributed to this process. Sustainable development is a collective responsibility. I therefore invite our development partners, civil society, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders and every citizen to join hands with us in ensuring faithful implementation. May Almighty Allah continue to guide our efforts and bless the people of Jigawa State.
Earlier today, I received a courtesy call from the members of the North-West Strategic Committee on the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), led by Professor Mudassir Nasiru. Our discussion centred on how states can play a stronger role in programmes that directly support vulnerable families.
The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme is much more than providing meals in schools. It encourages children to stay in the classroom, supports better attendance and creates opportunities for local farmers, food vendors and many others whose livelihoods depend on the agricultural value chain. That understanding is one of the reasons why Jigawa chose to extend the programme to pupils in Primary Four, Five, and Six, complementing the Federal Government's coverage of Primary One to Three.
Today's discussions also reinforced my belief that social protection works best when there is genuine ownership at the state level. I am pleased that the committee has developed a new implementation framework, and once it is presented to us, we will study it carefully and see how it fits into our existing programs. Supporting vulnerable households has remained one of the priorities of our administration, and any initiative that genuinely improves the lives of our people deserves careful attention.
I appreciate Professor Mudassir Nasiru and members of his committee for taking the time to visit Jigawa and share their ideas with us.
Over the past two days, Jigawa State had the privilege of hosting the Second Jigawa State Economic and Investment Summit (J-INVEST 2026), an important gathering that brought together government leaders, investors, development partners, and business executives from within and outside Nigeria to explore the enormous opportunities our state has to offer. It was an honour to welcome His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON (@officialSKSM), Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who declared the summit open on behalf of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR (@officialABAT). I was equally delighted to receive distinguished guests from across the country and beyond who honoured our invitation and contributed to the success of the summit.
Over the course of the summit, we showcased Jigawa's investment potential, highlighted the progress we have made in improving infrastructure and the business environment, and engaged investors in practical discussions across agriculture, renewable energy, manufacturing, MSMEs, education and healthcare. Beyond the plenary sessions, the deal room engagements, panel discussions, policy presentations and partnership discussions created valuable opportunities to connect ideas with investment and chart a clear path for sustainable economic growth.
I was pleased to share the progress we have made over the past three years, from facilitating 64 actualised investments to expanding road infrastructure, supporting renewable energy projects and opening new opportunities across agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and the digital economy. The quality of discussions throughout the summit and the genuine interest shown by investors left me encouraged about what lies ahead for Jigawa State.
I sincerely thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the reforms that are strengthening investor confidence across the country, and I am grateful to Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, for honouring us with his presence. My appreciation also goes to all the political leaders, government officials, development partners, members of the diplomatic community, investors, captains of industry and everyone who contributed to the success of J-INVEST 2026.
I thank everyone who took the time to be part of J-INVEST 2026. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of the engagements over the past two days. May Allah (SWT) continue to bless Jigawa State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Today in Hadejia, I had the honour of receiving Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the North-West launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme. I was delighted that Jigawa State was chosen to host this important initiative, which will help improve access to nutritious food for vulnerable children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Behind every policy are real people, real families and real challenges. Food security is not only about producing enough food; it is also about making sure those who need it most are not left behind. That is why this programme fits naturally with the work we have already begun in Jigawa through our Food and Nutrition Policy, our Social Protection Policy and the MASAKI Nutrition Programme.
I was pleased to share some of the progress we have made over the last few years. Through the MASAKI programme alone, we screened about 245,000 children in 2024 and over 382,000 in 2025, while the number of children recovering from moderate acute malnutrition increased from about 19,000 to more than 43,000. We also trained 600 women to produce nutritious complementary food using locally available ingredients, helping to improve child nutrition while supporting household livelihoods.
I also assured the First Lady that, as Governors of the North-West, we will give this programme the support it deserves. We understand the responsibility that comes with it. By providing storage and distribution facilities, supporting food bank centres and working closely with communities and our partners, we can ensure that assistance reaches the families it is intended for.
I was equally delighted that Her Excellency commissioned the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Academy and the Oluremi Tinubu Clinic, two important public facilities built by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). These projects will expand access to quality education and healthcare for our people while complementing our administration's efforts in human capital development. I sincerely appreciate NITDA, under the leadership of its Director General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, for this thoughtful investment in Jigawa State and for the positive impact it will have on our communities.
I thank Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for choosing Jigawa State to host the North-West launch, and I appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the continued attention being given to food security, healthcare and social welfare. My gratitude also goes to my colleague Governors, our traditional rulers, development partners and everyone who contributed to the success of today's event. May Allah bless our efforts, strengthen our communities and continue to bless Jigawa State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Earlier Today, I flagged off the 2026 Wet Season Agricultural Support Programme at Dutse Township Stadium. It was inspiring to stand with farmers, extension workers and partners, reaffirming that agriculture remains central to Jigawa’s growth.
This year’s programme supports 90,000 farmers with fertiliser, provides 6,000 solar irrigation pumps, and equips J-AGRO agents with 1,185 motorcycles. Through partnerships with the Bank of Agriculture and StarAgri, more farmers will also access affordable financing.
Over the past three years, we have invested in mechanisation, irrigation, extension services and quality inputs, benefiting over 250,000 farmers and encouraging more youth and women to embrace agriculture.
I was encouraged by the confidence of farmers, driven by our transparent digital Farmer Registry system that ensures support reaches the right people.
I thank the Federal Government, our partners, traditional leaders and farmer groups for their support, and especially the farmers of Jigawa State. May Allah bless our efforts and grant us a successful harvest.
Earlier today, I had the privilege of hosting the 8th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers' Council here in Dutse.
It was good to welcome our royal fathers from across the Northern states and to listen to their perspectives on the issues affecting our communities.
Our discussions centred on matters that many families are dealing with every day — insecurity, poverty, drug abuse and the growing number of children who are still out of school.
One point that stood out during our conversations was that security is not only about what security agencies do. The home, the school, the places of worship and the wider community all have a part to play in shaping responsible young people and maintaining peace in society.
I also acknowledged the contributions of our traditional rulers, who remain a strong link between government and the people. As leaders who interact with the people daily, traditional rulers often have firsthand knowledge of the challenges within their communities.
I thank His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, and members of the Council for coming to Jigawa. Their presence added great value to the meeting, and I am pleased that our state had the opportunity to host this important gathering.
#JigawaState #GreaterJigawa #PeopleFirst #RenewedHope
Earlier today, we flagged off the distribution of working equipment to fifteen community-based organisations that have been partnering with government to keep our waterways clear across Jigawa State.
With the rains now setting in, this work becomes even more important. Keeping rivers, canals and drainage channels free of weeds and silt is one of the practical steps we must take to reduce flooding and protect farms, homes and communities.
I am particularly pleased with the commitment shown by these organisations over the years. Their efforts in canal clearance and environmental sanitation have made a real difference in many parts of the state. The equipment distributed today will help them do even more in the communities they serve.
We are also expanding our own capacity. Through the acquisition of additional amphibious excavators, waterway clearance operations have been strengthened across the state. So far, more than 180 kilometres of waterways have been cleared, helping to improve water flow and reduce flood risks in vulnerable areas.
Flood control is not a one-off exercise. It requires consistent work before, during and after the rainy season. That is why we are taking action now and working closely with communities that understand the challenges on the ground.
I thank everyone involved in this effort and urge residents to play their part by keeping drainage channels free from refuse and supporting environmental sanitation activities in their localities.
#JigawaState #GreaterJigawa #PeopleFirst #EnvironmentalProtection #RenewedHope