KAURAN GWANDU: Two Years of Impactful Leadership in Kebbi State
KAURAN GWANDU: Two Years of Impactful Leadership in Kebbi State
By: Yahaya Sarki (SA Media & Publicity to Kebbi State Governor)
WORKS / URBAN DEVELOPMENT :
Major infrastructure projects executed under Gov. Nasir Idris included the completion of the State Ultra-Modern Secretariat Complex at Gwadangaji, which cost over ₦10 billion. Other major developments are the dualisation of the Birnin Kebbi – Ambursa road at ₦5.6 billion, the construction and rehabilitation of Birnin Kebbi city centre roads for ₦12.9 billion, the rehabilitation of Yauri township roads for ₦5 billion, and the construction of the Birnin Kebbi Ultra-Modern Motor Park at ₦2.9 billion.
Additional projects include the dualisation of Argungu Old Bye-Pass Road at ₦6.8 billion, renovation of Argungu General Hospital at ₦469.5 million, and construction of a fuel dump at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, at ₦300.6 million. The State Pilgrims Welfare Agency was also upgraded with office renovations, additions, furnishing, and road construction at a cost of ₦708.8 million.
Other key interventions include the construction of a box culvert and retaining wall along the Birnin Kebbi – Makera road for ₦395 million and the repair of a bridge on the Bunza – Dakingari road at ₦296 million. Furthermore, ₦4.2 billion was invested in the rehabilitation and remodeling of the Government House, alongside various other infrastructure upgrades across Kebbi State, including health facilities, classrooms, and Mosques.
Read Also: NELFUND: Anglican Bishop wants direct disbursements to…
Commissioner for Works, Engr. Abdullahi Umar Muslim, praised Gov. Idris’ insistence on quality execution by experienced contractors during a press briefing on January 1, 2025, reviewing two years of achievements.
Perhaps the most outstanding is the flag-off of the ₦64 billion reconstruction of the 87-kilometre Koko-Dabai Road, which is expected to be completed in 18 months. This critical road, previously in a dilapidated state, serves seven Local Government Areas and is vital for transporting agricultural produce and boosting commerce in Zuru Emirate.
In line with the rural transformation agenda, the government identified 300 kilometres of rural roads for construction, upgrade, and maintenance in the first phase. Under the Kebbi State Access and Rural Marketing Project (RAAMP), construction commenced on several key rural roads, including a 6.55km stretch at Yauri Highway/Hundeji Town in Shanga LGA, a 6.5km Malisa-Kurya-Maruda road in Gwandu LGA, and a 5.5km road from Rini Junction to Garu in Augie LGA.
EDUCATION :
As a professional classroom teacher, Governor Nasir Idris has made education a cornerstone of his administration, recognising it as the foundation of societal progress. His reforms had tremendously improved the learning environment, teacher recruitment, and student welfare.
The administration had recruited 2,000 qualified teachers and increased school feeding allocations from ₦175 million to ₦300 million. Through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme, billions have been invested in school construction, renovation, and teacher training.
Instructional materials were also procured, and contracts awarded for five new mega schools in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru. In terms of scholarships, students of Kebbi origin no longer pay school or registration fees in Nigerian tertiary institutions, while those studying abroad received full financial support.
Recently, ₦585.4 million was approved for tuition fees for 100 Kebbi students in Indian Universities. NUKESS, through its president Comrade Isah Suleiman Libata, commended the Governor for his dedication to students’ welfare. Furthermore, over ₦1.3 billion was released for 23,736 students studying in Nigeria, and ₦1.4 billion for those in India and Egypt.
In total, ₦2.77 billion has been disbursed for scholarships to students both at home and abroad. This includes ₦585.4 million for students in Subharti, GD Goenka, and Kalinga Universities in India, ₦967 million for domestic scholarships, and ₦100 million for students at Ain Shams University, Egypt.
Additionally, the Kebbi State Government continues to cover WAEC and NECO fees for all SS3 students. In May 2025, the Governor approved the release of ₦3.55 billion as counterpart funding for the 2024 UBE Matching Grant, unlocking a total of ₦7.1 billion for basic education projects, including classroom construction, furniture supply, water and sanitation facilities, perimeter fencing, ICT, agricultural tools, and sports facilities.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT :
Governor Idris’ administration has championed youths and women empowerment through financial support and capacity building. In 2023, ₦6.5 billion was disbursed to 65,000 individuals under the “Kaura Cares” Livelihood Support Programme, with each receiving ₦100,000—the largest such initiative in the state.
In 2024, ₦100 million was distributed to 1,000 persons living with disabilities during the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, enabling them to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
MINISTRY FOR SPECIAL DUTIES :
In alignment with the Governor’s agenda for efficient governance, the Ministry for Special Duties was created with a Commissioner and Special Adviser.
In 2024, the Ministry disbursed N100,000 each to 3,210 persons with disabilities to support small business ventures and reduce street begging. It also distributed 150 tricycles to persons with disabilities and 50 motorcycles to other disadvantaged individuals.
Additionally, 21,747 psychiatric patients received free medication at Zauro Hospital. A grant of N50 million was also provided to Command Science College, Goru.
