By Funsho Arogundade
For 10 years on the bounce, Dr. Dauda Lawal served diligently as a staff of the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC, United States until 2003 when he returned home to take up an executive role with First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. Over the next decade, this suave technocrat steadily climbed the corporate ladder to become an Executive Director, simultaneously establishing himself as a leading figure in the finance sector.
Lawal, who always appears like a young man in his early forties – he will be 60 on Tuesday September 2— is a man of goals, commitment and action. When he sets his eyes on a target, inspiration takes hold, followed by strategy, effort and hard work. That’s the principle that earned him the ticket and seat as the governor of Zamfara State.
As an investment banker, successful businessman and now a politician, Lawal brings a unique perspective to governance, emphasising accountability and fiscal responsibility. His public policies wear the thread of equity. His style of enabling employees, integrating them into a team, has played a crucial role in his success.
As a governor, he shoulders the burden of governing a state plagued by banditry and ranked lowest in educational performance, health, and civil service welfare, among other critical issues. With his victory two years ago after a hard-fought campaign, Lawal promised a transformative vision for Zamfara with commitment to reconstructing the state and restoring its reputation as a hub for large-scale farming and a treasure trove of mineral resources. Twenty-four months later, Lawal has displayed unwavering determination and a battle-ready spirit, embarking on an extensive campaign to revitalize the state’s fortunes. The key priority for Lawal has been addressing foundational aspects of development, including security, healthcare, education, agriculture, and economic empowerment.
Under his leadership, Zamfara has witnessed significant advancements: numerous dilapidated primary healthcare facilities have been rehabilitated and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, significantly improving health outcomes in the region. As Lawal celebrates his second anniversary in office, he has continued to emphasize a vision of progress and development. The highpoint was the smart partnership with Oracle London to enhance digital skills development in the state, paving the way for a more informed and capable workforce as well as ensuring that the people of Zamfara experience a bright and prosperous future.