It is exactly two years that Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto took an oath to provide leadership to Sokoto state. And, he has not let the people down. By the turn of the clock today, the governor who turned 55 on January 1, would have started his third year as governor of the Seat of the Caliphate. This third year, as many people had said, will be a consolidation of his achievements since 2023. It will also lead him into the election year when he is hugely expected to be returned to the Sokoto Government House as governor by people of the state in appreciation for the good work he has done on the state.
These past two years have been for Governor Aliyu opportunity to express himself through life-impacting projects across Sokoto state. He has been so focused in delivering the dividends of democracy to people of the state that many now wish he had been governor before 2023. His is a leadership that is committed to infrastructural development, public welfare social services and human capital development
Since assuming office in May 2023, Aliyu has implemented significant initiatives to address Sokoto’s challenges. He established the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps to bolster local security, complementing federal efforts to combat banditry. His administration has prioritized economic empowerment through soft grants and skill acquisition programmes aimed at reducing unemployment and fostering self-reliance among the youth. His project-activism has seen him take the state through so many developmental projects that positively impact the lives of the people. These also include welfare programmes that have touched several lives including those of persons with special needs, several of whom are now on the state payroll.
Aliyu’s focus is the industralisation of Sokoto state. For this reason he is active on infrastructure development including the rehabilitation of infrastructure overlooked by his predecessor, despite the value they add to the progress of the state. Interestingly, Gov. Aliyu drives these developments with fiscal discipline and prudence which has enabled him run the budgets of the state effectively and without accumulating debt, like his peers do. His governance achievements were loudly recognized when he received the “Governor of the Year” award from The Sun on March 1, 2025. The honour was bestowed on him for his transformative leadership across sectors. His commitment to staying in Sokoto, engaging directly with constituents, and addressing their needs contribute to his staying power and transformational leadership.
The Commissioner for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development in the state, Hon. Abba Muhammad, commenting on the progress made by Sokoto state under Governor Aliyu’s watch said, “…even the opposition PDP acknowledges the fact that Governor Sokoto has surpassed their expectations. They are our friends. We share notes …never mind that once in a while they will issue their toxic press releases alleging this or that. In less than two years His Excellency, Dr Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, has achieved what the Aminu Tambuwal administration couldn’t achieve in eight years. And this is fact. He completed abandoned projects, unlike Tambuwal who did not complete the projects that he inherited from Wamakko.”
According to the commissioner, “…considering his unprecedented achievements, I have no doubt in my mind that he will win the 2027 elections hands down. Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto has worked tirelessly to touch lives because the people are the essence of government. They have stood by the governor. By last year the governor had completed over 180 projects. Under the first 100 days he vigorously attacked the projects that the previous administration had abandoned. The people of Sokoto State are no fools; they can see the roads, the schools and healthcare facilities and the governor is accessible to them because he is focused on Sokoto State and he is not using the position as a stepping stone for the presidency.”
Another Commissioner in the state, Alhaji Yusuf Maccido says of the governor, “To be honest with you, and indeed Nigerians, I have not seen any governor who is as committed to improving the quality of life of the people like Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto. He might be young, but he is determined to making a difference in governance, and like the accountant that he is, he is very prudent with the resources of the state. He insists on value for money. He consults widely and is very decisive.” This is alongside accolades to the governor for sustaining a peaceful and harmonious working relationship with his deputy who he assigned to oversee the Ministry of Works.
In nominating the governor for ‘The Governor of the Year” award, the Board of Editors of The Sun said of the governor, “You came to office as governor in 2023 with a 9-Point Smart Agenda designed to lift Sokoto to higher grounds. Your target was to install the right infrastructure that can spur visible and measurable improvements in the key social and economic areas, like education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, security, youth empowerment, local government autonomy and religious affairs. In less than two years of your assumption of office, you have changed the narrative in Sokoto, having done much towards the transformation of the state.
“We note that when you assumed office, Sokoto metropolis was in total darkness, being indebted to the Power Distribution Company. Also, the streets, government offices and even the Government House were overflowing with garbage. You took action to get these problems solved. To resolve the electricity challenge, you sought an emergency intervention with all stakeholders and the power distribution company to restore electricity to the Government House, state water board, educational institutions, health and other public service institutions that were hitherto disconnected due to accumulated debts. The issue was resolved and problem solved.
“Outside solving the electricity problem, you have completed more than 180 projects in various sectors. In road construction, more than 30 township roads have been completed, while 40 other road projects are ongoing in various parts of the state. Solar-powered street lights have also been installed; lighting up the night, improving safety and bringing pleasure to the residents of Sokoto metropolis and across the 23 local government headquarters of the state. You have also given housing a boost with more than 1,000 housing units nearing completion.
“Under your watch, the education sector in the state has received substantial attention with the massive renovation of existing facilities and development of new ones, provision of instructional materials and timely payment of external examinations fees for the students, among others. To show the importance you attach to education, 25 per cent of the 2025 budget is allocated to the sector, surpassing some of the international benchmark recommendations for effective funding of education in developing countries,” among many accomplishments.
As Governor Aliyu journey’s into his third year in office, expectations are high that he will surpass his achievement between 2023 and 2025 and prove to the people of the state, and indeed Nigerians, that he is a man on vision on a mission to transformationally change the story of Sokoto State.