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Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has expressed gratitude to The Sun for his nomination as Governor of the Year 2025.
He said this when he received a Management team of The Sun Publishing Limited, led by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Onuoha Ukeh, in Abuja.
Lawal described the award as a ‘wonderful recognition’ of his administration’s efforts in turning around and repositioning Zamfara State, since 2023.
He also affirmed that the newspaper’s nomination was purely based on merit.
The governor said: “I thank you. Everything that you mentioned here is actually what is happening in Zamfara State. This is a wonderful recognition from The Sun. We started from foundation; not even a strong one. It was starting from shaky foundation…There are lots of transformation going on in Zamfara State.
“On behalf of the good people of Zamfara State, I want to thank the Board and Management of The Sun newspaper for this wonderful gesture.”
Governor Lawal would be honoured alongside 34 others and two organisations at The Sun Awards ceremony at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on January 31, 2026.
Lawal informed The Sun delegation that there was nothing on ground when he took over the leadership of the state in May 2023, disclosing that he inherited a very fractured state with basically nothing happening there.
He explained that, while education was at the lowest level, healthcare was non-existent, insecurity was at the highest level, while infrastructure was zero.
Lawal noted that with a shaky foundation, he was grateful to God that he had been able to achieve all that his administration had accomplished.
He added that a lot of transformation is going on in the state, such as in the area of education whereby 720 schools have been built and fully equipped; employment of 2,000 teachers to be able to fill in the gaps and reactivation of scholarship despite inheriting so much unpaid tuition fees, both local and international.
Governor Lawal said: “We were able to address those issues. We had students in India, Cyprus, Sudan and many other places who were just stranded there. We were able to take care of them and paid all the outstanding fees. Some are back now.”
Lawal also disclosed how, for nine years, 50 students on scholarship from the state who were in Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, had their certificates withheld by the school authorities because their tuition fees were not paid.
“We’ve settled that and collected all the certificates. The same thing we did in NECO and WAEC. For almost seven years, they couldn’t pay NECO and WAEC and our students couldn’t get admission into schools to further their education over non-payment. We had to pay over N3.7 billion to NECO and WAEC to be able to get their certificates back. It is really unfortunate.”
The governor added that the university system in the state was not doing better as “the Audu Gusau Polytechnic and the state university in Talata Mafara were shadows of themselves.
“In fact, they were about losing accreditation. But, thank God, we have spent over N30 billion in those schools and now building structures, employing teachers and everything. Last year, they were able to get all their certification accredited by the NUC. So, these are the things. We realise the importance of education without which basically, nothing will happen because it is the backbone for a better society anywhere.”
In the health sector, Lawal said when he took over government, even the specialist hospital in the state was an eyesore as there was only one ultrasound machine in the hospital and in the entire Gusau.
He, however, expressed gratitude to God that, at the moment, the hospital is currently one of the modern hospitals in terms of equipment, such MRS, CT Scan “and the people don’t need to go elsewhere to seek medical attention.”
Besides, the governor stated that the state government is paying doctors equivalent of what the Federal Government is paying and earning more and had also built staff quarters just to encourage them to come to Zamfara.
On insecurity, the governor said normalcy has returned to the state as he purchased about 35 brand new APCs with the latest technology for over N35 billion and they would soon be distributed to the local governments.
He added that every local government will have fully equipped APCs to fight bandits, insisting that he would not negotiate with any bandit.
On healthcare, he said the state government has completed 10 general hospitals and would do more, while assuring that additional two or three will be completed before the end of the year.
In the field of aviation, Lawal said the Gusau airport is going to be a world-class airport, different from the rest in the country.
“We launched the airport project on June 20, 2024. We have sent a letter to the Hajj Commission that we are ready for the inaugural Hajj flight this year,” he added.
Lawal explained that, with regards to development, his administration has never borrowed a dime from any financial institution.
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“We raised our IGR from N90 million monthly to about N5 billion now. So, even with salaries, we can comfortably pay our salaries without any FAAC allocation. And since we took over, on the 25th of every month, we pay our salaries, state and local governments. It is never an issue,” Lawal declared.
Earlier, in his presentation of the nomination letter, The Sun MD felicitated with Lawal on his achievements as the governor of Zamfara State.
Ukeh noted that when Lawal turned 60 years old last September, many well wishers, including President Bola Tinubu, praised him for his dedication to the development of the state and his steadfast pursuit of peace and security.
He also said in two and half years of being governor, Lawal has shown what vision, commitment and prudent use of state resources can do.
The Sun MD said: “Zamfara is no longer a grossly mismanaged state of yesteryear, but a state with renewed vigour and progression. On coming to office, you embarked on a transformative journey with your vast experience as an economist and banker. Your proactive style of administration has laid a robust foundation for socio-economic progress.
“With a Six-point Rescue Agenda, anchored on security, agriculture and food security, education, healthcare, economy and empowerment, you had a clear mission, which is to change the narrative and make Zamfara state a shining star in the country. To curb insecurity, you established the Zamfara Community Protection Guards, called Askarawan Zamfara, and invested significant resources to support security agencies, including the donation of 140 operational vehicles to help in their mobility and enhancement of response time. Support for security agencies is aimed at strengthening their effectiveness in combating crime and maintaining law and order.
“Through a well-established intelligence gathering system, your government, in collaboration with security operatives, has been identifying and successfully neutralising key bandit kingpins terrorising Zamfara state. Being work-in-progress, you have continued to keep your eyes on the ball in the area of security, employing surveillance and intelligence.”
The Sun MD also added that, in the education sector, Lawal’s declaration of a state of emergency has yielded positive results, lifting the state from consistently ranking at the bottom of national educational charts to a position of strength.
“You have constructed, renovated, and equipped over 720 schools across the 14 local government areas of Zamfara state and provided two-seater desks for over 9,542 pupils and students across schools, equipping the schools with tables and chairs for teachers, maintaining quality in education delivery, and ensuring that private schools meet the required standards for providing quality education in a comfortable environment.
“Tertiary schools have equally been renovated and equipped, including Zamfara College of Arts and Science (ZACAS), College of Health Technology Tsafe, Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara, and Abdu Gusau Polytechnic.You also revived school feeding in 10 senior boarding schools across Zamfara state, and, in collaboration with the World Bank, you moved to empower young girls in and out of primary and junior secondary schools with the implementation of Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme.
“On healthcare, your footprints are visible. You have renovated and equipped General Hospitals in Maradun, Maru, KauranNamoda, Gusau, and Anka, among others. Primary Healthcare Centres also received similar treatment.
“The remodelling, upgrading, and equipping of the Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau will continue to be talked about as you have transformed what could pass for a “consulting clinic” pretending to be a specialist hospital, to a truly centre of Healthcare excellence in Zamfara. The hospital now boasts of modern equipment, good wards and well-trained personnel.
“Right from 2023, when you flagged off road construction programmes, you have never looked back at the Urban Renewal Project in Gusau, the Zamfara State Capital. Many roads have received attention, to the joy of residents. They include: Bello Barau Roundabout – Old Market Road to Bello Barau Roundabout, Central Police Station Road to Bello Barau Roundabout in Gusau, Government House Road to Kwanar Yan Keek, Emir’s Palace to Tankin Ruwa Road, dual carriage road from Government House to Lalan Mareri, Government House to Sule Zumunci Pharmacy, Danlarai mosque to Nasiha Pharmacy, Zanna-Abarma Road and Shagari Hospital bridge, among others.
“Outside Gusau, your government has constructed the following roads, among others: Malammawa-Bukkuyum-with Spur to Masama Mudi Road, Jabaka to Lugga Road, Gusau to Dansadau Road.
“One of your signature projects is the Gusau International Airport, which is now ready for use. The airport, reputed as one with the longest runway in the country, is seen as a miracle, being started from scratch and completed in under two years.
“You have restructured the civil service for greater efficiency while ensuring the timely welfare of workers. To underscore your people-oriented leadership strategy, you made Zamfara one of the first states to pay the new minimum wage of N70,000,” Ukeh also said.
Aside Lawal, other notable Nigerians to receive awards include Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and Sen. Solomon Adeola, Senator representing Ogun West (Man of the Year). Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State and Gov Bassey Otu of Cross River (Governor of the Year).
The First Lady of the Year award goes to Mrs. ChiomaUzodimma of Imo State, while the Political Personality of the Year award would be received by Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, just as HRM, Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi Kingdom would receive the Most Outstanding Royal Father of the Year award.
The Minister of the Year goes to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, while the Lifetime Achievement Award would be received by Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia South; Oba Rashid Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadanland; Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Presiding Bishop, The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); Alhaji Buba Galadima, former Secretary of defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), and Chief Simeon Eyisi, Chairman/CEO, SIMS Nigeria Limited.
The Public Service Personality award would be received by Dr.Emeka Agbasi, DG, FERMA; and Prof. Stella Ifeanyi Smith, Director of Research, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, with the Banker of the Year going to Mr. Emmanuel EfeEmefienim, MD, Premium Trust Bank Plc and Investor of the Year award going to Dr. Julius Rone, CEO, UTM Offshore Limited; Dr. Andrew Oru, Chairman, Rojitel Group; and Engr. Oguchi Emeka, Chairman/CEO, Point Technologies Ltd.
The Entrepreneur of the Year award would be received by Prince Charles Ezeagwu, CEO, Charzin Group; Mr. OlasunkanmiOwoyemi, Chairman, Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited; Chief Mike Duru Ejiogu, CEO, Citygate Group; and Dr Eric Opah, CEO, Fortunes Global.
Mr John Ezeobi, chairman, Zobis Cable Nigeria Limited, Chief Emeka Agbanari, chairman, Seaman Group, and Chief Peter Orogwu, chairman, Chuby Zion Industries Limited would receive the Industrialist of the Year award, with Real Estate Icon award going to Dr. Stephen Maxwell Nweze, Seman Global Concept Limited.
The Humanitarian Service Icon award goes to Sen. Jubril Barau, Deputy Senate President; Dr. Johnbosco Ozigbo, CEO, Burnsville Integrated Service Limited, with the Hospitality Icon award going to Mr. Paul Onwuanibe, CEO, Landmark Africa Group, owners of Landmark Hotel & Resorts), and Chief Livinus Anibogu, CEO, AG Lexon Nig. Limited, owners of Villa Park Hotel & Suites).
The Courage in Leadership award would be received by Bishop Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, while the Nollywood Icon award goes to Dr. Kenneth Okonkwo.
Mrs. Onyeka Michael-Ugwu, founder, Hello Perfect and Mr. Tunde Onakoya, founder, Chess in Slum Africa would receive the Young Achievers award, with Zenith Bank Plc receiving the Bank of the Year award and Opay Digital Services Limited receiving Fintech/Digital Bank of the Year award.
