News filtered in from Sokoto state, the penultimate week, that Governor Ahmad Aliyu has flagged off the construction of 500 housing units in what it called ‘Luxury Housing Estate’. Governor Aliyu brought his Kogi State counterpart, Usman Ododo, to cut the tape to flag off the construction as part of activities to celebrate his second year of service to the people of the state. Speaking at the event, Ododo said: “Investment in housing is not just a necessity; it is a catalyst for growth and prosperity. This project will not only provide shelter but also stimulate economic opportunities and elevate the standard of living in Sokoto.”
Governor Aliyu also brought in his Yobe state counterpart, Mai Mala Buni, and the Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo, to participate in a flurry of projects commissioning around the state.
However, the interesting thing here is not just that the Sokoto state government was committed to addressing the housing deficit in the state, despite previous actions of the governor in the same direction. The curious side to this is the fact that the state government said it will spend only N22 billion on the ‘luxury housing estate’ consisting of 500 housing units. That is incredibly unbelievable. It speaks to the governor’s prudence in managing public funds.
For Governor Aliyu, housing is a critical area where his administration has demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of Sokoto residents. Recognising that affordable housing is essential for economic and social stability, his administration has prioritised the construction of housing units across the state. His 2025 fiscal policy, christened ‘Transformation and Infrastructural Sustainability Budget’ emphasised housing as a key component of the Sokoto development agenda. According to Governor Aliyu, the ‘luxury housing estate’ will, upon completion, be allocated to civil servants and residents of the state on an owner-occupier platform and at subsidised rates.
His housing initiatives are designed to address the state’s housing deficit, particularly in rural areas, where access to decent shelter is limited. By providing affordable housing, the governor aims to improve living standards, reduce poverty, and stimulate economic activity through job creation in the construction sector. These efforts have been praised by stakeholders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who said Governor Aliyu’s housing scheme is a model for other governors to emulate. “This is a commendable step toward alleviating hardship. Government must focus on the well-being of the people,” the Sultan said.
Before this, the governor had initiated and completed the construction of new housing estates of about 1000 housing units in Wajake village, Wamakko local government area. He also completed the 500 housing units at Gidan Salanko, a legacy project begun by the administration of Aliyu Wamakko. Aliyu’s government had also acquired and completed 130 housing units from the Federal Ministry of Housing at Kannawa, in its bid to improve home ownership in the state. Most of these housing projects are located outside the Sokoto metropolis, which is part of his intentional strategy for developing the rural communities.
Unlike many governors who focus primarily on urban centres for political visibility, Aliyu has distinguished himself by prioritising rural development. His administration’s rural infrastructure projects are driven by the conviction that opening up rural areas is crucial for economic growth and social equity. In addition to housing and rural roads, Aliyu has invested in solar-powered streetlights in local government headquarters, enhancing security, promoting commerce in such localities and making it safer for residents to engage in evening activities and boosting local economies.
Notable rural infrastructure projects include the reconstruction of the Sokoto-Gummi road, the Tangaza-Balle road, the Illela-Gada road, and the Wurno-Huchi road, among others. These roads, many of which were abandoned by the previous administration, have been rehabilitated to facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and improve access to healthcare and education services. The governor’s rural development efforts extend beyond infrastructure to include agricultural support and social welfare programmes like the conversion of May salaries, which were paid early in the month to enable the people to celebrate the Eid holiday, into loans repayable through instalment deductions from their salaries. The implication was that civil servants in the state earned their May salaries again.
Through increased budgetary allocations to agriculture, Governor Aliyu is also supporting farmers with training, inputs, and start-up capital, increasing farm incomes and contributing to food security. Additionally, the renovation of 63 Jumu’at mosques and the payment of stipends to Islamic preachers reflect Aliyu’s commitment to supporting the spiritual and social needs of rural communities.
Governor Aliyu’s infrastructure initiatives have far-reaching implications for Sokoto’s economic and social development. By improving road networks, water supply, housing, and rural connectivity, his administration is addressing the root causes of poverty, unemployment, and insecurity in the state.
Two years down the line, the people of Sokoto state are happy that their political investment in Governor Aliyu through their votes has paid off. For many of them, the governor is solid evidence that God answers prayers. For them, Governor Aliyu’s agenda on infrastructure development, a central pillar of his governance strategy, aims at transforming Sokoto into a modern state.
For instance, Governor Aliyu’s focus on ending the perennial water scarcity in Sokoto has earned him praises. Residents of the state are subjected to acute shortages and reliance on expensive, often unsafe, water sources. Aliyu’s administration has shown determination to resolve the problem and make water scarcity a thing of the past. His administration has so far made significant strides in addressing the challenge through a ₦14.1 billion water project aimed at reviving and completing six township water schemes. These were water schemes initiated by the administration of Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, but were ignored between 2015 and 2023. The water schemes are located in Tamaje, Old Airport, Gagi, Mana, Runjin Sambo, and Ruga Liman and have a combined capacity of 40 million gallons of water per day.
To the joy of the people, on June 23, 2025, Aliyu commissioned the Old Airport Water Scheme, which would guarantee some 3 million gallons of water daily. This marked a significant milestone in the governor’s determined efforts to end water scarcity in the state. Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Aliyu described the project as “a promise fulfilled.” Indeed, it was! He stated that his administration inherited a collapsed water supply system in the state, powered by obsolete equipment and the absence of treatment chemicals. To address these issues, Aliyu’s government replaced outdated equipment, secured alternative power sources for the state water board, and ensured a steady supply of clean water to Sokoto and its environs. Enthralled residents, traditional rulers and top government officials who observed the commissioning ceremony lauded the achievement as a much-awaited relief.
Despite these progressive footpaths, Aliyu’s administration is financially constrained by the backlog of unpaid gratuities inherited from the administration before him, amounting to over ₦15 billion. Though that has been a significant burden, Aliyu has not allowed that to weigh him down as he has made progress by allocating ₦500 million monthly to clear the backlog and ₦300 million for current retirees. Aliyu’s strongest points are his financial expertise and prudent management skills, which have enabled him to achieve significant results with limited resources. Like the Sultan remarked, Aliyu’s leadership serve as a blueprint for other governors seeking to deliver transformative governanc