President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday inaugurated four multi-billion-naira projects executed by the Jigawa State Government during his first official working visit to the state since taking office on May 29, 2023.
The visit comes amid growing political realignments, strategic consultations and early preparations for the 2027 general elections, with Jigawa regarded as a politically significant state in the North-West region.
The four projects, situated within Dutse metropolis, were virtually commissioned by the President from the Dutse Township Stadium, where the APC held its presidential campaign rally attended by supporters from different parts of the northern region ahead of the 2027 elections.
The projects comprise the Renewed Hope Technical Services Fabrication Centre, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multipurpose Skills Acquisition Centre, a 3.5-kilometre dual carriageway linking Kiyawa Road to Garu Emir’s Palace, and the state’s agricultural mechanisation programme.
Speaking during the virtual commissioning, Tinubu said the projects reflected his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises productivity, skills acquisition and food security.
The President also reiterated his commitment to improving electricity supply across the country, promising Nigerians access to stable and dependable power.
“We will give you stable electricity in Nigeria,” Tinubu declared, assuring citizens that his administration would provide a reliable power supply.
He further disclosed that his government would discontinue the policy of total privatisation of power sector assets in favour of an alternative framework capable of ensuring consistent electricity for households and businesses.
Welcoming the President at the rally, Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, described the occasion as a landmark event in the state’s history, combining the inauguration of developmental projects with the commencement of the APC’s 2027 presidential campaign rally.
“Mr President, on behalf of the Government and the peace-loving people of Jigawa State, we are truly honoured and delighted by your presence at this historic gathering in Dutse,” Namadi said.
The governor expressed appreciation to Tinubu for personally inaugurating the projects, noting that his presence further strengthened the government’s commitment to improving the living conditions of residents.
“Your presence and personal commissioning of these projects lend special significance to these achievements and reinforce our shared commitment to improving lives.”
Providing details of the agricultural mechanisation initiative, Namadi revealed that it included 400 tractors, 60 combine harvesters, 150 boom sprayers, 150 seeders and other farming equipment designed to expand agricultural production and promote large-scale farming.
He noted that the projects reflected the alignment between the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Jigawa’s 12-Point Agenda for a Greater Jigawa.
Namadi also described Tinubu as a dependable ally of the state, highlighting the ongoing Greater Dutse Water Supply Project, valued at several billions of naira.
According to him, the project, which had remained on the drawing board for more than 10 years, was now over 60 per cent complete.
“That solemn promise you made during the 2023 campaign to our late Emir, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi, is becoming a reality,” the governor said, urging the President to ensure its timely completion.
The governor further highlighted several Federal Government projects and interventions in Jigawa, including assistance during devastating floods, the Kano-Katsina-Maradi Railway Line, 100 subsidised tractors provided under the Food Security Support Intervention, and the establishment of the Federal College of Agriculture in Kirikasamma and the Federal College of Education in Birniwa.
He also acknowledged progress on the Gaya-Shuwarin-Azare and Kano-Gumel-Hadejia federal highways.
Namadi disclosed that 192,000 residents of the state were benefiting from the Federal Government’s cash transfer programme, with N14.36bn distributed between 2024 and the present period.
However, he appealed to the Federal Government to urgently address the worsening erosion affecting Hadejia metropolis, Dutse, Birnin Kudu and Gwaram, explaining that the scale of the destruction was beyond the state’s financial capacity.
He equally called for the revival of the historic Kano-Nguru Railway Line and a review of import tariff policies on wheat and rice to safeguard local farmers against unfair competition and encourage domestic production.
Speaking about Tinubu’s leadership, Namadi said, “We recognise in you a nationalist and true patriot with the courage to make bold, difficult decisions,” expressing confidence that another four-year tenure would make Nigeria’s development irreversible.
