FRIDAY, marks the seventh anniversary of the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, as Governor of Gombe State: seven years of leadership that have steadily reshaped the political, economic and developmental ecosystem of the state.
Anniversaries such as this offer an opportunity for reflection, assessment and honest evaluation. In the case of Governor Inuwa Yahaya, the past seven years tell a compelling story of vision, discipline, reforms and transformational governance.
When he assumed office in 2019, Gombe State faced enormous challenges. Public infrastructure had deteriorated, internally generated revenue was weak, institutions were fragile, while critical sectors such as education and healthcare required urgent intervention. The state grappled with mounting developmental pressures amid limited resources and rising public expectations.
Seven years later, the narrative has changed significantly.
Across Gombe State today, the evidence of purposeful governance is visible. Roads now connect communities once neglected. Modern solar-powered streetlights illuminate major roads and urban centres. Public institutions are being revitalized, while schools and hospitals received adequate attention. Agriculture is being modernized, and environmental restoration projects are redefining the state’s response to climate challenges.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya once remarked: “History will judge us by the impact we make, not by the resolutions we passed.” Seven years on, those words increasingly reflect a governing philosophy rather than political rhetoric.
Gombe Before 2019: A State in Need of Renewal
Before 2019, Gombe State struggled with a huge debt burden, weak fiscal capacity and decaying infrastructure. Roads were in poor condition, while several sectors suffered years of neglect.
The education sector was particularly troubled. Schools were dilapidated, teachers poorly motivated and students’ performance in national examinations ranked among the worst in the country.
The healthcare system was equally underdeveloped, while insecurity across the North-East added further pressure.Some institutions existed only in name. In many respects, Gombe was a state yearning for direction and renewal.
Seven Years of Transformation
Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration has since redefined governance in Gombe State through deliberate planning, prudent resource management and people-oriented policies.
The transformation is visible not only in physical infrastructure but also in institutional reforms and human development indicators.
Infrastructure Revolution and Urban Renewal
One of the administration’s most visible achievements is its massive infrastructural renewal drive.
Under the “Network 11-100” initiative, over 1,000 kilometres of roads have been constructed across the 11 local government areas, significantly improving transportation, trade and connectivity.
Modern road networks complemented by solar-powered streetlights have transformed the landscape of Gombe metropolis and other major towns.
Former APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, once remarked during a visit to the state that, “Anyone passing through the streets of Gombe at night would think they are in Dubai.”
Today, Gombe boasts of a modern Three-Arms Zone comparable to development models in the Federal Capital Territory, while urban renewal projects continue to reshape the state into a cleaner, greener and more organized environment.
Education: From Crisis to Recovery
Upon assumption of office, Governor Inuwa Yahaya declared a state of emergency in education, a bold decision that laid the foundation for one of the most ambitious education reforms in Northern Nigeria.
Hundreds of classrooms have been constructed or renovated, while mega schools and special schools were established. The administration also integrated the Almajiri and Tsangaya education systems into formal learning structures.
More than 1,000 qualified teachers were recruited, alongside the establishment of a teacher training centre to support continuous capacity building.
Over 350,000 out-of-school children have been returned to classrooms, while students’ performance in national examinations improved from about 28 percent to nearly 80 percent.
From being ranked among the poorest-performing states educationally, Gombe is increasingly emerging as a model for education reform and access.
Healthcare Revolution
Healthcare has equally witnessed significant transformation under the administration.
The introduction of the Gombe State Health Insurance Scheme (Go-Health) expanded access to affordable healthcare, particularly for vulnerable and low-income residents.
Expansion of Primary Healthcare
The administration revitalized healthcare delivery by upgrading primary healthcare centres across the state’s 114 wards and expanding them to two functional facilities per ward, bringing the total to 228 revitalized PHCs equipped with improved infrastructure and solar-powered boreholes.
Upgrading of General Hospitals
General Hospitals in Kumo, Kaltungo and Bajoga underwent major upgrades.
General Hospital Kumo has since been elevated to a Federal Medical Centre, while the Snakebite Hospital in Kaltungo is being strengthened as a national Snakebite Treatment and Research Centre in collaboration with the federal government.
100-Bed Mother and Child Hospital
Senator Oluremi Tinubu Mother and Child Hospital, established in partnership with OSSAP-SDGs to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services.
Welfare of Health Workers
In October 2025, Governor Inuwa Yahaya approved the implementation of CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures for health workers in line with federal standards, a move aimed at boosting morale and retaining medical personnel.
Over 440 qualified health workers have also been recruited to bridge manpower gaps, while the establishment of the Gombe State College of Nursing Sciences further strengthened healthcare manpower development.
Technology and Financial Accountability
Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration has leveraged technology to improve transparency and efficiency in governance.
The deployment of the Biometric Attendance Tracking Technology (BATT) eliminated ghost workers from the payroll, saving the state billions of naira and redirecting resources toward critical infrastructure and social services.
Agricultural Reforms and Livestock Development
Agriculture remains central to the administration’s economic agenda.
Through targeted interventions, Gombe State has recorded improved coexistence between farmers and herders.
The administration introduced measures such as seasonal restrictions on herders’ movements during harvest periods, remapping of grazing reserves and regular stakeholder dialogue to reduce farmer-herder conflicts and strengthen food security.
The establishment of the 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Development Zone, featuring an ultramodern abattoir, international cattle market, tannery and leather processing facilities, represents one of the administration’s boldest economic initiatives.
Similarly, the 144,000-hectare Wawa-Zange Grazing Reserve has been revitalized with solar-powered boreholes and veterinary infrastructure.
Thousands of metric tons of fertilizer are also distributed to farmers at subsidized rates, while mass livestock vaccination programmes continue to improve animal health and productivity.
Environmental Management and Climate Resilience
Gombe State has emerged as a leading example of environmental restoration and climate resilience in Northeast Nigeria through the Gombe Goes Green (3G) initiative and extensive gully erosion control projects.
Launched in 2019, the 3G programme was designed to combat deforestation, desertification and climate-related environmental degradation.
Millions of trees have since been planted across the state through woodlots and roadside tree plantations aimed at restoring forest cover and promoting ecological sustainability.
Beyond environmental restoration, the programme has created thousands of jobs for youths through tree planting and maintenance activities.
The administration has also partnered with the World Bank under the NEWMAP and ACReSAL programmes to tackle gully erosion through drainage construction, channelization and protective infrastructure across erosion-prone communities.
Together, these interventions have positioned Gombe as a model for climate adaptation and sustainable environmental management in Nigeria’s semi-arid region.
Economic Growth and Fiscal Discipline
Perhaps one of the administration’s most significant achievements lies in financial management.
From an internally generated revenue profile of about N6.8 billion in 2019, Gombe State’s IGR has risen to over N40 billion through fiscal reforms, improved revenue collection and blockage of leakages.
DEVAGOM and Ease of Doing Business
The administration launched the 10-Year Development Plan (DEVAGOM) aimed at accelerating industrialization and economic growth.
Today, Gombe ranks among the leading states in ease of doing business in Nigeria, attracting investors and development partners.
Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park
The 1,000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park stands as a major industrialization initiative expected to generate thousands of jobs and stimulate economic activities.
Strategic Partnerships and Global Collaboration
Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration has built strategic partnerships with organizations including the World Bank, the United Nations, Michigan State University and Lincoln University College Malaysia, among others.
These collaborations are supporting investments in agriculture, education, healthcare, energy and infrastructure development.
Workers Welfare and Social Protection
The administration has prioritized workers’ welfare through improved working conditions and payment of inherited gratuities.
More than N30 billion has been paid to state and local government retirees as part of inherited gratuities liabilities from previous administrations, while a modern state secretariat complex is under construction.
Youth and women empowerment also remain central to the administration’s social development agenda.
Over 1,000 tricycles have been distributed to youths to support transportation businesses, while thousands more have benefited from skills acquisition programmes and startup support initiatives.
The GOSTEC programme is engaging 2,000 youths across the 11 local government areas in security, traffic and environmental services, while digital innovation programmes under GOSIDEC have trained youths in Artificial Intelligence and data analytics.
Women have equally benefited from entrepreneurship programmes, vocational training and grants coordinated through the office of the First Lady, Asma’u Inuwa Yahaya.
The administration has also demonstrated commitment to gender inclusion through the appointment of women into strategic positions across government.
Security, Stability and Renewable Energy
Despite being surrounded by states facing serious security challenges, Gombe has maintained its reputation as one of the safest and most peaceful states in Northern Nigeria.
The state is also steadily positioning itself as a renewable energy hub through projects such as the Talasse Solar Mini-Grid, Balanga Hydropower-Solar Hybrid Project and the Solar for Health initiative.
Gombe further became one of the first states in Nigeria to implement the State Electricity Distribution Law.
A Legacy Taking Shape
Seven years into the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe State is witnessing one of the most defining periods in its history.
From infrastructure renewal to education reforms, healthcare expansion, agricultural modernization and economic revitalization, the administration has demonstrated that visionary leadership, discipline and commitment can indeed transform society.
The journey is still unfolding, but the evidence of progress is visible across the state.
As Governor Inuwa Yahaya often reiterates, “We started with work, and we will finish with work.”
– Misilli is Director-General ( Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe.