Recent reports — including the UK’s 2025 Country Policy and Information Report — have described Zamfara as struggling with deep governance and security issues. While it’s true that the state has faced serious challenges for years, labeling Zamfara as one of the “worst governed” states ignores the major reforms and recovery efforts underway under the leadership of Governor Dauda Lawal.
Thank you for visiting The Vestigator, don't forget to share!
When Governor Lawal assumed office in May 2023, he inherited a state in crisis — crippled by insecurity, a weakened civil service, and near-total collapse of basic infrastructure. Health care was failing, education was in disarray, and morale across the state was low. Yet, in just two years, his administration has launched a comprehensive rebuilding plan grounded in security, infrastructure and economic revitalization, and good governance.
One of the most striking turnarounds is in the state’s finances: internally generated revenue has risen dramatically from ₦90 million to ₦2 billion, a clear sign of renewed fiscal health and administrative discipline.
A Strategic Approach to Security
Governor Lawal’s foremost priority has been restoring safety and stability. To tackle the security crisis head-on, he established the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG) in early 2024 — a state-backed, community-driven security force designed to complement national agencies and provide tailored responses to local threats.
The ZCPG is supported by the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund, chaired by former Inspector General of Police, IGP M.D. Abubakar (Rtd). The fund provides essential resources, logistics, and operational support for security operations. Over 2,600 personnel have been recruited and deployed across all 14 local government areas to work alongside the police, army, and other security bodies.
Already, the results are showing: previously volatile areas are recording improvements, with more coordinated security patrols, better logistics, and quicker response times.
Governor Lawal has also invested heavily in technology-driven surveillance, advanced communication systems, and regular coordination meetings with security chiefs. These measures have led to the rescue of several kidnap victims and the disruption of major criminal networks.
The message is clear: Zamfara is not retreating from its challenges — it’s confronting them with modern tools, local collaboration, and unwavering political will.
Building the Future: Infrastructure and Urban Renewal
Perhaps nowhere is Zamfara’s transformation more visible than in Gusau, the state capital. Once known for its neglect, Gusau is now being reshaped by the Gusau Mega Project — an ambitious urban renewal program that is modernizing road networks, drainage systems, and public facilities.
Governor Lawal’s administration has prioritized sustainability and comfort with innovations such as covered bus stops, green spaces, and a new state mass transit system (Bazamfara Buses) to ease movement for residents.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy to attract investment, promote commerce, and elevate the quality of life for citizens.
Transforming Education: A State of Emergency
Recognizing that no society can rise without education, Governor Lawal declared a State of Emergency in Education shortly after taking office.
Under the “Education for All” initiative, his administration has overhauled hundreds of primary and secondary schools, provided modern learning tools, and cleared an inherited ₦1.5 billion debt owed to WAEC and NECO — restoring the ability of students to sit for vital national exams.
A new Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Center is also being built to prepare students for digital examinations and future learning needs. This focus on accessibility and modernization underscores the governor’s vision of empowering Zamfara’s youth with education that truly opens doors.
Healthcare for All
Governor Lawal has also made sweeping improvements in healthcare delivery. Across key towns like Gusau, Anka, Maradun, Maru, Kaura, and Nasarawa Burkullu, hospitals have been renovated, re-equipped, and expanded.
These facilities now include modern Accident and Emergency Units, Maternity Wards, Radiology and Dental Clinics, Orthopaedic Units, and Special Care Baby Units (SCBUs) — a major upgrade from the dilapidated state of public hospitals just two years ago.
The administration has also procured new diagnostic and surgical equipment, ensuring that residents can now access quality healthcare without leaving the state.
Reviving Agriculture and the Economy
As a historically agrarian state, Zamfara’s economy depends on farming. Governor Lawal’s government has distributed 59,205 bags of fertilizer, 34,800 kg of rice seeds, and 80,000 kg of maize seeds to farmers across the state. Thousands of liters of herbicides, insecticides, and seed treatment chemicals have also been provided to enhance yields.
These interventions, combined with renewed access to secure farmlands, are helping farmers return to their fields safely and rebuild the state’s agricultural strength.
Governance Built on Transparency and Accountability
Governor Lawal’s administration is also changing how government operates. By publishing annual budget performance reports, engaging directly with community and traditional leaders, and settling long-overdue pensions and gratuities, his government is restoring public confidence.
Under his leadership, Zamfara has not taken a single loan from the federal or external sources — an uncommon achievement in Nigeria today. All capital projects have been financed through fiscal discipline and effective resource management, reflecting a deep commitment to responsible governance.
From Crisis to Comeback
The transformation in Zamfara is still a work in progress, but the results so far are undeniable. Governor Dauda Lawal’s pragmatic and people-centered leadership has brought measurable progress in security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and governance.
To describe Zamfara today as “one of the worst governed” is to overlook a state that is reclaiming its destiny — step by step, policy by policy, and reform by reform.
With a focus on resilience, transparency, and innovation, Zamfara is not just rebuilding; it is setting a new standard for post-conflict recovery and sustainable development in Nigeria.
