Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has exhibited resilient and visionary leadership, driving notable progress in infrastructure and public services despite nearly ten years of security challenges. Undeterred by the complexities of maintaining peace, Governor Lawal has prioritized elevating education and healthcare within his governance agenda.
Through a comprehensive initiative dubbed the “Zamfara Rescue Projects,” his administration has successfully launched and completed numerous developments, including road networks, school refurbishments, and healthcare facility upgrades, benefiting both urban centers and rural communities.
A key innovation introduced by the governor is the Tsangaya school system, which guarantees access to foundational education for every child in the state. This model harmonizes Islamic teachings with Western curricula, equipping students with the knowledge and competencies necessary to thrive in a globalized environment. The project entailed constructing nine dormitories, staff housing, perimeter fencing, solar-powered electricity, boreholes, classroom furniture, and essential educational materials.
Additionally, the Tsangaya schools feature vocational training centers offering practical skills in trades such as carpentry, masonry, tailoring, computer literacy, and shoemaking, fostering self-reliance among learners.
Further highlighting the administration’s commitment to social development are the newly refurbished Zamfara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development building and the upgraded Zamfara State College of Arts and Sciences (ZACAS), both reflecting the government’s dedication to institutional enhancement.
In the healthcare sector, significant investments have been made to renovate and modernize hospitals and primary health centers statewide. Efforts to curb maternal and infant mortality include recruiting and training additional healthcare personnel, supplying vital medications and equipment, and implementing free maternal and child health programs.
The Yeriman Bakura Specialist Hospital underwent a full overhaul and was equipped with cutting-edge medical technology. Similarly, the General Hospital in Kauran Namoda LGA received extensive upgrades, now boasting advanced diagnostic tools, delivery beds, ECG and centrifuge machines, blood-mixing devices, an automated hematology analyzer, electronic weighing scales, and LED surgical lighting, enhancing its capacity to serve the local population effectively.
In Nasarawa Burkullu, Bukkuyum LGA, the General Hospital was also revitalized, expanding its services to include emergency care, surgery, maternal and child health, alongside new facilities such as an isolation center, mortuary, accident and emergency ward, operating theatre, male and female surgical wards, outpatient departments, laboratory, pharmacy, antenatal, and pediatric wards. Additional infrastructure improvements encompass administrative offices, staff accommodations, mosques, and boreholes.
Maru LGA’s General Hospital similarly benefited from renovations and the installation of modern medical equipment, reinforcing the state’s healthcare delivery system.
On the urban development front, Governor Lawal has initiated a city renewal program that has led to the refurbishment of key roadways, improving transportation and connectivity within the state.
Regarding security, Zamfara has witnessed a notable decline in violent incidents such as mass killings and kidnappings during Governor Lawal’s tenure. This progress is partly attributed to the creation of community protection units across all 14 local government areas. These units, composed of carefully vetted individuals cleared by the Department of State Services (DSS), serve as the frontline defense, collaborating closely with formal security agencies to combat banditry. Recently, the governor distributed 140 operational vehicles to various security bodies to bolster their effectiveness.
Born on September 2, 1965, in Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal pursued his early education locally before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He further attained a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the same institution and completed a PhD in Business Administration at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
Complementing his academic credentials, he undertook executive education programs at prestigious institutions including Harvard Business School, Oxford University Business School, London School of Economics, and Lagos Business School.
Governor Lawal’s professional journey began as a political education officer with MAMSER, Nigeria’s agency for mass mobilization and social justice. In 1989, he joined Westex Nigeria Limited as assistant general manager. By 1994, he transitioned to the Nigerian Immigration Service as an assistant consular officer and later served as chief protocol officer at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC.
In 2003, he entered the banking sector with First Bank of Nigeria Plc, advancing through roles such as relationship manager and senior manager in the Abuja Area Office. By 2011, he was appointed executive vice president for the public sector in Northern Nigeria and subsequently became executive director for the same division in 2012.
Venturing into politics, Dauda Lawal initially contested the APC gubernatorial primary in 2018 but was unsuccessful. However, in the 2023 Zamfara State governorship election, he emerged victorious under the Peoples Democratic Party banner, marking a new chapter in his public service career.
