On Oct. 19, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi flagged off the construction of a ₦4.47 billion feeder road project to boost grassroots development and get people more involved in governance.
He also commissioned key infrastructure in Sule Tankarkar Local Government Area as part of the 23rd Citizens Engagement initiative, a main programme of his administration to build transparency, accountability, and direct talks between government and citizens.
During the visit, Governor Namadi opened a new primary healthcare centre, a modern Tsangaya model school under the state’s Almajiri education reform, and a water supply facility. He broke ground for the 28.2-kilometre Babban Sara–Malam Bako–Shabaru–Kirgi–Albasu Feeder Road, costing ₦4,474,853,022.38.
The road will link over 60 rural communities, increase farming output, and make it easier to reach markets and basic services.
Speaking at the event, Governor Namadi said the Citizens Engagement platform helps check government work and use people’s views for policy and budget plans. “We are in Sule Tankarkar, the 23rd local government to host this programme. The idea is to show what we have done in the last two years, receive feedback on ongoing projects, and gather community inputs for our future budgets,” he said.
He stressed that his government focuses on development for all and people-first governance. “Government exists to serve, support, and empower the people. We have chosen to submit ourselves to public assessment so that we can improve and make adjustments where necessary,” he added.
Governor Namadi praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fiscal and policy changes that have boosted state economies and development power. He revealed that Jigawa is one of six pilot states for the revived National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, approved by President Tinubu.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, the federal government has taken bold steps to improve citizens’ welfare. States and local governments now have more resources to deliver meaningful development,” the governor said.
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, who was at the event, called the Citizens Engagement initiative one of the best people-focused governance models in Nigeria. “What Governor Namadi is doing in Jigawa should serve as a model for participatory governance across Nigeria. It strengthens democracy and deepens citizens’ trust in government,” Senator Jibrin said.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, also praised the governor for his work in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, calling it “transformative and people-driven.” “Because of these visible impacts, Jigawa has become a model of progressive governance. The people have confidence in the APC-led administration,” she said.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hamisu Gumel, in a statement, said Governor Namadi’s Citizens Engagement programme has now covered all 23 local government areas, with the administration vowing to keep its community-based approach to governance.
