Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has declared that the state’s next phase of development will be driven by knowledge, research, and evidence, as he called for deeper collaboration between government and academics to address development challenges. The statement was made during an interactive session with the Forum of Jigawa Academics at the Government House in Dutse on Saturday, where he outlined strategies to advance the state’s 12-Point Agenda through evidence-based policymaking and innovation.
The governor highlighted the 12-Point Agenda as a dynamic framework for tracking implementation, measuring results, and translating commitments into verifiable progress. He emphasized that the agenda evolved in response to evidence, changing realities, and the aspirations of Jigawa’s citizens, shaping sectoral development plans, budgets, and institutional reforms since its inception in May 2023. 'Alhamdulillah, the progress recorded since we assumed office reflects a consistent direction: building an inclusive and productive economy, expanding human-development opportunities, strengthening infrastructure, protecting vulnerable citizens, improving environmental resilience, and reforming public institutions,' Namadi stated.
During the meeting, Namadi reviewed the administration’s achievements under the 12-Point Agenda, including agricultural transformation, education investments, healthcare improvements, and infrastructure development. He noted that the state’s focus on agriculture aims to shift from subsistence to a mechanized, market-oriented system, supported by the Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency, a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development, and the Jigawa Farm Mechanisation Company. The latter operates 60 centers with 400 tractors and 60 combine harvesters, including 100 tractors procured through the President’s Food Security Support Intervention at subsidized prices.
The governor also detailed partnerships with national and international institutions in rice production, seed systems, livestock, dairy development, horticulture, irrigation, and agro-processing. Jigawa’s agricultural research initiatives include funding for 10 PhD and MSc researchers under the Wheat Value Chain Research Programme, postgraduate training for over 80 academics, and specialized training for 100 livestock officers through a partnership with India’s National Dairy Development Board.
In education, Namadi emphasized a 26% annual allocation of government expenditure to the sector, covering infrastructure, ICT tools, teacher development, and programs for girl-child education and nomadic learning. The state recruited 7,500 J-TEACH staff, with 3,000 becoming permanent teachers, and plans to hire an additional 4,000 J-TEACH personnel and 660 permanent teachers. At the tertiary level, the government supported seven institutions with infrastructure, accreditation, and staff development, including sponsoring over 90 academics for higher degrees in India.
Healthcare advancements included revitalizing 180 Primary Healthcare Centres for 24-hour services, completing General Hospitals in Gwiwa, Garki, Gantsa, Guri, and Gwaram, and opening the Kazaure Specialist Hospital. The state recruited over 1,370 health workers and expanded specialist services, including free dialysis and treatments for diabetes, hypertension, and sickle-cell disease.
Infrastructure projects saw the completion of over 300 kilometers of inherited road projects and the awarding of 59 contracts for 1,100 kilometers of new construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance since 2024. The combined road portfolio, valued at ₦420 billion, now spans 1,500 kilometers. The governor also highlighted progress in power, investment, employment, and environmental protection, including renewable-energy initiatives and youth empowerment programs.
Namadi disclosed that Jigawa’s internally generated revenue (IGR) grew significantly, with average monthly collections rising from ₦1.1 billion in 2023 to over ₦5.2 billion in 2025, while annual collections increased from ₦27.5 billion to ₦66 billion. He outlined the next phase’s priorities: completing ongoing programs, establishing evidence-based best practices, and institutionalizing successful reforms.
The governor stressed that the 12-Point Agenda aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in food security, economic diversification, and human-capital development. Federal interventions in agriculture, education, and social protection are supporting Jigawa’s efforts, he added. 'Our mission is to build a sustainable future for Jigawa through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to evidence-driven progress,' Namadi said.
Public-interest implications of the state’s initiatives include improved agricultural productivity, expanded access to education and healthcare, and enhanced infrastructure, which collectively aim to reduce poverty and foster economic resilience. The emphasis on knowledge-driven policies also underscores a shift toward transparency and accountability in governance, addressing long-standing challenges in public service delivery.
Namadi’s vision for Jigawa reflects a strategic focus on measurable outcomes and adaptive policymaking, positioning the state as a model for evidence-based development in Nigeria. His call for academic collaboration signals a recognition of the critical role of research and expertise in shaping effective solutions to complex challenges.
The governor’s remarks come amid growing public demand for tangible results from state governments, with Jigawa’s progress serving as a case study in leveraging knowledge and partnerships to drive sustainable growth. As the state moves forward, the success of its initiatives will depend on sustained investment, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to translate policy into real-world impact.
The Forum of Jigawa Academics, which convened the event, plays a pivotal role in fostering dialogue between policymakers and intellectuals, ensuring that development strategies are informed by rigorous analysis and local insights. This partnership exemplifies a broader trend of integrating academic expertise into governance frameworks to enhance decision-making and accountability.