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  • I will return to my welding job after my tenure, says Governor Sule

    I will return to my welding job after my tenure, says Governor Sule

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has revealed plans to return to his original profession as a certified welder once his time in office ends.

    Governor Sule made the declaration while delivering a special address at a roundtable organised by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in partnership with the Nasarawa State Government, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

    He also used the opportunity to assure prospective investors of the state’s commitment to workforce readiness, noting that Nasarawa has a pool of trained and certified technicians available to support industrial operations and investment.

    He said, “One of the things is that I actually started my education as a technician, as a welder, before I became a CNC Machinist and the rest of that, as you see me, shielded arc metal welding, Oxyacetylene welding, once I finish from Governor, I’m going into welding, because of that, we decided to make skills acquisition in Nasarawa State, something of pride

    “We built one of the most standard technical institutions according to the NBTE. In fact, most of these big companies that are carrying out their training even here in Abuja, they train them in Nasarawa at that particular institution. Our major concern is that all these companies that are coming, we produce the technicians who can work for them,” he said 

    The governor used the opportunity to highlight steps taken by his administration to make investments attractive for investors in Nasarawa State. 

    “Most of what we do for the protection of investment in Nasarawa State is backed by law. We sponsored the executive bills to protect investments. We worked very hard to ensure we have peace and security in Nasarawa State. If you are looking for investors and you know how to look for investors, you must work very hard to have peace. Because every investor wants to hear security first. 

    “We have a law in Nasarawa State that clearly states that we have 5 percent of our IGR is going to go into de-risking any investment coming into Nasarawa State.  This 5 percent that goes to de-risking, part is also used in case there is a need to provide infrastructure, road, water supply, or even power,” he stated.

    He promised a special tax holiday especially for investors coming into the state to invest in renewable energy, reiterating the determination of his administration to protect investments coming to Nasarawa State. 

    “There is a special tax holiday for renewable energy because it is a win-win situation for the investors and for our own communities that are benefiting. 

    “This is in addition to the fact that we have unwavering commitment as an administration to ensure that whatever you are coming to do in Nasarawa State, we are going to hand hold you and make sure that everything, whether it is by law, or by our own efforts, that your investment is protected,” he said

    He said Nasarawa State is ideal for investment in renewable energy because of the tremendous potential in the area of lithium. 

    “The biggest lithium processing factory is in Nasarawa State.  By July, we will commission another factory that is three times the biggest lithium processing company. There are plans to build another 15m metric tons capacity factory. 5m capacity,” he said.

    The Governor added that, presently, his administration is constructing a World Bank-funded Multi-door Court House for conflict resolution, assuring investors that conflict on land and tax issues would not be resolved through normal courts but through the specialised Multi-door Court House.

    He disclosed plans by his administration to generate one kilowatt of power at the newly constructed state secretariat complex to make the facility entirely green.

    Setting the tone for the roundtable, Abba Aliyu, MD/CEO, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), said that the Electricity Act signed in 2023 has changed the entire dynamics of the power sector.

    “The Act has disrupted the entire sector by deepening the opportunity for the private sector and sub-nationals to participate in the entire electricity value chain.  It has given the sub-nationals the right to participate in generation, transmission, distribution, and other activities. Beyond these, the act has also emphasised the need for renewable energy to be used to upgrade the electricity access gap,” he said.

    The REA boss said his agency is also saddled with the responsibility of developing an electrification strategy and implementation plan, which he added formed the basis for organising the roundtable. 

    He disclosed that 86m Nigerians lack access to electricity, the highest number in the world, with 22m people and residential households that need to be electrified.   

    He commended Nasarawa State for being the state with the highest number of mini-grids in Nigeria, saying REA has conducted its research to confirm the electricity needs of every state. 

    “We assessed each state on its ability and readiness to achieve hundred per cent electrification.  We developed a number of criteria, and we assessed this. Nasarawa State is one of the states that we assessed, and we are going to present to you the result of that assessment. How the states will move forward,” he said.

    He, however, identified low budgetary allocation for electrification projects and a dearth of technical manpower as peculiar challenges that would need to be addressed in Nasarawa State. 

    On her part, Doris Uboh, Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund, said the agency is funded by a USD750m World Bank facility geared towards the electrification of rural areas in the country.

    Uboh congratulated Governor Sule for creating an enabling environment and ease of doing business in Nasarawa State.

    According to her, it is not by accident that the most number of mini-grids are found in the state.

    Congratulations on creating an enabling environment and ease of doing business in Nasarawa State.  Because it is not by accident that the most number of mini-grids are found in your state.   We collected data from across every state in Nigeria.

    “It’s because you made it easy for people to come in there to work and create wealth for the local communities.  I hope more states will equally follow your lead. Because when they do that, it makes our job easier; they make it easier for us to sell these pitches.

  • Arewa Think Tank backs Governor Sule’s position in favour of tax reform bills

    Arewa Think Tank backs Governor Sule’s position in favour of tax reform bills

    A northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has thrown its weight behind the latest position of Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.

    In a statement signed by its Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, ATT described governor Sule’s shift of position against the bill as a good development.

    “We have discovered that the forces against Tinubu tax reform bills are not only fighting Tinubu, the fight is about liberating the North from the shackles hold of few elites.

    “So it is additional reason for us to support Governor Sule’s position which originally is our position too.

    “The North must make progress in this 21st Century. The North can no longer stay behind.

    “So the few elites that don’t want us to make progress, the majority must be victorious in this regard,” the statement said.

    It added: “We agreed completely with the views expressed by the Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule, on a national television programme that the initial opposition from the northern state governors against the tax reform was propelled by a lack of adequate clarity and understanding of some of the contents of the bills.

    “ATT received this as a welcome development, especially as it came in the wake of continuous stakeholder engagement by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele.

    “We therefore commend Governor Abdullahi Sule, who is also the Chairman of the North Central Governors Forum, for his remarkable show of maturity, understanding and statesmanship in shifting ground from his earlier stance against the bills, by openly expressing support for their passage.

    “We want to use this opportunity to call on all his colleagues in the Northern Governors’ Forum to join him in encouraging the National Assembly to pass all of the four tax reforms bills without further delay.

    “For us at Arewa Think Tank, we have insisted that the tax bills were designed by President Tinubu to usher in a progressive national tax system that will meet the economic and political aspirations of Nigerians in the emerging global economy.

    Read Also: Tax Reform Bills and economic outlook for 2025

    “To this end, we want to salute the courage displayed by the President for encouraging the true spirit of democracy and freedom of expression among Nigerians in the heat of discussions around the tax reform amid the emerging argument for and against the bills.

    “Also, we want to appreciate the continuous efforts, sacrifices and commitment exhibited by both the Chairman of the Presidential Committee and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zach Adedeji, in their drive to enlighten Nigerians on the objectives of the Tinubu tax reform.

    “We want to restate once more that there is no aspect of the tax reform bills that is prejudicial to the economic interest of Northern Nigeria or any part of the country as argued by some mischief makers.

    “We know that the bills, amongst others, seek to exempt the teeming population of masses from the payment of tax until they can attain a significant level of economic productivity.

    “We also know that when passed into law, the reform bills will leverage all sub-national governments in the country with the capacity to create more jobs and wealth.

    “Arewa Think Tank has been calling and will continue to call on political and traditional leaders in the North to support the passage of the tax reform bills to counter the political mischief that has misled the people of the region against the Tinubu administration.

    “We have said times without number that the North in particular will become more innovative from the implementation of the tax reforms, and as such, the region should not waste time in accepting the reality of the reforms, especially now that many governors of the region are now supporting the reform bills on tax”.

    Governor Sule had in a recent interview on Arise Television declared that the initial opposition of northern governors to President Tinubu’s proposed tax reforms was informed by a lack of understanding of the bill.

    The Nasarawa State governor also said his concerns regarding the bills had been addressed.

  • 2027: APC unshaken by rumoured opposition merger – Governor Sule

    2027: APC unshaken by rumoured opposition merger – Governor Sule

    Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Sule, has dismissed concerns over a potential merger of opposition political parties challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Speaking on national television on Thursday, Sule addressed various national issues, including the impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. 

    He acknowledged the tough decisions taken by the president but emphasized that the long-term benefits would shape Nigerians’ opinions by the 2027 general elections.

    According to Sule, Tinubu’s policies are already showing positive outcomes, with steady economic growth and increased production. 

    He also praised the president for revitalizing the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, describing the achievement as a significant milestone worthy of celebration.

    He also said he was happy with Tinubu’s posture to the controversy that trailed tax reform bills currently being worked on by the National Assembly.

    There have been rumours of nocturnal meetings of alignment and realignment of political gladiators.

    According to sources, several moves are ongoing that may lead to merger of political parties as the 2027 general elections draw closer.

    While some pundits said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) may lead the merger, others said the proposed merger may include other political parties.

    However, the two leading opposition parties had since denied any planned merger.

    Reacting to the meeting of politicians across political parties’ divide, Sule said, there was nothing to worry about, insisting that the APC was on the right track.

    Read Also: Governor Sule inaugurates committee to probe teachers’ recruitment irregularities

    Asked if the treatment given to the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, by the current government could spell doom for the re-election of Tinubu in 2027, the governor said: “To be honest with you, el-Rufai has not left our party. And it is really very early to be talking about 2027.

    “We have just done one year and a lot still need to be done. So, it is too early to start making such permutations that this one is leaving and the house is collapsing.

    Asked if he was worried over the gathering of political gladiators from different political parties, Sule said: “As for me, I am not scared.”

    “For your information here in Nasarawa State, we have had elections in 2019 where I ran against two very powerful candidates – a former minister Labaran Maku and a former member of the House of Representatives.

    “In 2023, both merged with others. But, here I’m sitting as the governor.

    “With all due respect to all the politicians holding several meetings, I do not see them displacing our party.

    “What we are going to do in the next two years will determine where the pendulum will swing, and I strongly believe that we are going to perform wonderfully in the next two years.

    “And once we are able to do that, I don’t think the party needs to care about any merger of political parties.

    “The performance of the party won’t be judged alone based on the Federal Government, but the states, and local governments.

    “If you go look at the performances by our governors, I say there’s nothing to worry about.”

  • Governor Sule inaugurates committee to probe teachers’ recruitment irregularities

    Governor Sule inaugurates committee to probe teachers’ recruitment irregularities

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has inaugurated a four-member committee to investigate irregularities in the recent recruitment of teachers by the Nasarawa State Teachers Service Commission (NSTSC).

    Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the Government House, Governor Sule expressed concern over reports that government officials overseeing the recruitment process exceeded the approved number of teachers. 

    He described the revelations as worrisome, leading to the immediate suspension of the NSTSC chairman and its members.

    The committee has been tasked with uncovering the extent of the irregularities and ensuring accountability in the recruitment process.

    “This situation is worrisome and capable of denting the image of the government and indeed of the state, if nothing is done to ensure accountability, transparency and due diligence in the conduct of government business.  It is for this reason that it becomes absolutely necessary to constitute this all-important committee to investigate the matter in order to ascertain the claim,” he said.

    Governor Sule highlighted his administration’s commitment since 2019 to transforming the educational sector as a catalyst for the state’s socioeconomic development. 

    This includes the establishment of various committees tasked with addressing the challenges facing all levels of education in Nasarawa State.

    He noted that the findings from these committees revealed a significant shortage of teaching manpower in secondary schools, alongside the pressing need for infrastructural improvements.

    “The recommendations of these committees resulted in the recruitment of over 8000 teaching and non teaching staff into our educational system. It is important to state that, even with the recruitment of this number, the government still observes the gap in the teaching personnel in both primary and secondary schools.  This informed our decision to give approval for the recruitment of an additional 1000 teaching staff to fill the vacuum in our secondary schools,” he added.

    While acknowledging that the approved 1000 teachers were dully recruited and posted to various schools across the state, matters however arose after these workers were paid their first salary.

    “I am aware that the recruited one thousand workers have started enjoying their salaries. It is rather disturbing to note that after the payment of the 1000 approved teachers, some citizens of the state raised concerns of non payment of salaries to so many other teachers who have received appointment letters and posted to various schools in the state,” he stated.

    Read Also: Governor Sule signs 2025 Appropriation Bill of N384.3bn into law

    The four-man Investigative committee is to be chaired by a former permanent secretary, Mr. Silas J. Dachor, with Hajiya Fatu Jimeta, a former commissioner of education, Dr. Yusuf Alfa Danya, a former board chairman of the Federal Polytechnic Baale as members, while Belinda A. Oyegbenu, Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Manpower Development, Office of the Head of Civil Service, will serve as secretary.

    According to the Governor, the investigative committee which has two weeks within which to submits its report, has the following as its terms of reference; determine the recruitment process and the total number of those recruited based on the approval given, confirm if there were other teachers recruited outside the approved number and those involved with their degree of involvement.  

    Also, determine the number of teachers posted, the schools they were posted to and if they have resumed in those schools, ascertain the teachers who have been posted and are yet to be paid, with the correspondent financial implications, determine the financial implications of both paid and unpaid teachers, as well as make any other recommendations that may be relevant to guide government in taking appropriate decisions. 

    “I learned that even those who were paid, were paid just for one month and there are still outstanding two months or three months. That would be another of your terms of reference as well,” he said.

    He explained further that his administration is not pushing the committee hard by asking it to submit a report in two weeks but in order to address the non payment of teachers who have been working for months without receiving salaries. 

    “We are not pushing this committee unnecessarily hard. It is because indeed if there are people who have worked for several months without being paid, I don’t even know how they take care of their families. That is the reason we are rushing to conclude this as earlier as possible so we can resolve this and be able to compensate people appropriately,” he said.

  • Governor Sule targets enhanced revenue, efficient 2025 budget implementation

    Governor Sule targets enhanced revenue, efficient 2025 budget implementation

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has revealed that his primary focus for the remaining two years of his tenure is the effective implementation of the 2025 budget and boosting revenue generation to enhance his administration’s productivity.

    Governor Sule disclosed this during a thank-you visit by the immediate past commissioners at the Government House yesterday.

    The Governor emphasized that the remaining two years offer his administration an opportunity to demonstrate its capacity and performance. 

    He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring impactful governance and delivering on promises to the people of Nasarawa State.

    “We have roughly two good years to operate. I want to make sure that these two years that we are running are some of the most productive two years that we ever had in this our administration,” he said.

    He explained, that is why he gave the contractor handling the construction of the multi billion naira new state secretariat complex a dateline to complete the project, not only the first phase that has been completed but the second phase also.

    Read Also: Sule sacks Nasarawa Commissioners, SSG

    Governor Sule reiterated that he had to dissolve the executive council in order to rejuvenate the council for maximum efficiency and performance, especially that Nasarawa State has the largest budget ever in the history of the state, estimated at over N384bn.

    He noted that his administration will work very hard to ensure that revenue is generated in order to implement the budget.

    “The budget that we have now is N384bn. I came into the state when the total budget was around N90bn. That was, on average. Now, we have a budget that is big enough to cover the entire four years. I know for Nasarawa State that it is a huge budget. We need to get up. We need to work as a people for the implementation of that budget. Budget is both ways, the right side and the left side, the input and the output.  We have to work very hard to ensure that the revenue comes in for us to expend,” he stated.

    He however expressed satisfaction that the state is beginning to witness better revenue, and that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to turn around the economy of the country.

    “We are beginning to get commendations from outside the state. I am not worried about the one you get from within the state because they said a prophet is not honoured in his home. We have two years to be able to show our performance, to set certain records. I’m happy that all of you came. I am happy with all your kind comments. I don’t want to leave quietly. I want to leave with a bang, with a record that somebody is coming to follow up,” he said.

    Earlier in an introductory remarks, leader of the delegation and immediate past Commissioner of Education, Dr. John Mamman said they were at the Government House to show appreciation to Governor Sule for giving them the opportunity to serve under his administration. 

  • Governor Sule signs 2025 Appropriation Bill of N384.3bn into law

    Governor Sule signs 2025 Appropriation Bill of N384.3bn into law

    Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Sule has signed into law 2025 Appropriation Bill of N384.3billion.

    The budget is about N2billion above estimate earlier submitted by Governor Abdullahi Sule to the state assembly.

    Governor Sule while assenting to the budget this evening at the Government House appreciated the Speaker and members of the State Assembly for their tireless efforts and speedy passage of the bill.

    He also appreciated the Commissioner and officials of the State Ministry of Finance for their positive inputs on the budget, and emphasised the importance of having a realistic budget that would meet world class expectations.

    He assured that his administration would not fall short in ensuring the budget performs optimally. 

    He affirmed his  zeal and determination to ensure effective implementation of the budgetary provisions.

    On his part, Speaker, Nasarawa State, House of  Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau said the bill went through the necessary legislation before it was passed into law.

    He appreciated the 7th assembly members under his leadership for their commitment to duties.

    “Your Excellency, the 2025 budget went through all the necessary legislative procedure before we passed it into law.

    Read Also: Governor Sule to North’s leaders: we muststop using Almajiri to hold Nigeria to ransom

    Earlier, State Commissioner for Finance, Hajiya Munirat Abdullahi said that the budget was prepared inline with the policy direction of Governor Sule’s administration to meet the growing expenditure and socio-economic needs of the state 

    The governor also assented to the Nasarawa State Electricity Law which will enable the state generate and distribute its own electricity.

    The governor said the electricity law which stems from the presidential initiative to enable states and other actors participate in power generation and distribution will allow Nasarawa State utilize the hydro and solar energy sources that abound in the state.

    Governor Sule noted that his administration was committed to bringing on board experts, who will make the power initiative come to fruition.

    On his part, the General Manager, Nasarawa State Electric Power Agency, NAePA, Engr Yakubu Sulaiman appreciated Governor  Sule and the House for making the law become a reality.

    Engr. Suleiman said that Nasarawa electricity law is a fallout of the need to regulate the affairs of electricity within the state, leading to the establishment of a commission to that effect in order to boost power supply in the state.

  • Governor Sule to North’s leaders: we muststop using Almajiri to hold Nigeria to ransom

    Governor Sule to North’s leaders: we muststop using Almajiri to hold Nigeria to ransom

    • ‘Over ’over 30 million Almajiri roaming the streets’

    North should not continue to use the Almajiri system to further hold Nigeria to ransom, Chairman of   North Central Governors’ Forum  Abdullahi Sule has said.

    Sule said since the system is common to the North and constitutes a “huge problem”, the region’s leaders must collectively seek an end to it. 

    ‘’Why should Northern Nigeria continue to hold the entire nation to ransom when we know that it (Almajiri) is our problem?  We have to go out there and find a way to solve it,” he said.

    Sule, who is the governor of Nasarawa State, spoke while flagging off the regional conference on population dynamics, security, climate change, out-of-school children/Almajiri, and vulnerable children in Nigeria.

    The event was organised by the National Population Commission (NPC) and hosted by the Nasarawa State Government in Lafia yesterday.

    The National Commission of Almajiri and Out of School Children said unverified report puts the number of Almajiri in the country at ’over 30 million out of the 251 million globally.

    The governor described the Almajiri as a time bomb that if left unchecked,  could have dire consequences not only on the region but the entire country.

    He wondered why the Almajiri practice in the North is different from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan which are Islamic nations.   

    The governor warned that if the North fails to address the problems associated with the  Almajiri system, the August 1 to 10 violent protests across the country would be child’s play. 

    His words: “The Almajiri problem is indeed a huge problem for us. I think, just as I told my colleagues in Kaduna during our last meeting of the Northern governors, I said we should stop complaining. It is time for us to take the bull by the horns and see how we can resolve the problem by ourselves.

    Read Also: Governor Sule’s wife rallies Nasarawa women for Remi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative

    “We should no longer expect anybody to come and solve the problem of the Almajiri system. We must be the ones to solve this problem if we are serious about solving the problem of the Almajiri system.

    ‘’Why should Northern Nigeria continue to hold the entire nation ransom when we know that it is our own problem and we have to go out there and find a way to solve it.” 

    The governor pointed out that previous efforts to address the  Almajiri problems failed because their root causes were not addressed.

    He emphasised the need to make parents take responsibility for the upbringing of their children rather than ‘’sending them out to beg on the streets’’ in the name of acquiring Islamic education.

    Sule also said that people must be made to understand that it is a sin to sire children they cannot take care of just as it is a sin to marry wives without the ability to cater for them.

    The governor said: “We have to find a way to teach people that it is a sin in Islam to continue to produce children you could not take care of.

    ‘’Until we take care of that, we cannot solve the problem. Just like it is a sin to continue to marry wives you cannot take care of, it is also a sin to continue producing children that you cannot take care of.’’

    Sule insisted that as long as parents continue to send their children and wards to traditional Almajiri schools,  the problems of Almajiri would persist.

    He added: “These are the challenges we have at hand. We must be able to take it seriously and teach our people directly into their sense to know that they must understand that this is the challenge that we have in Nigeria today.

    “What kind of human being goes and drops his four or five-year-old kid somewhere without being interested in what he eats,   sleeps, and wears? And they say it is in line with  Islam.

    There is no way this is Islam. Suratul Bakhara is very clear on this.  

    “Why is it that it is only here? I just got back from Saudi Arabia. I didn’t see too many Almajiri in Makkah, Madina, Jedda or anywhere. They are an Islamic nation.  

    ‘’In Pakistan, they have out-of-school children but their situation is even completely different.’’

    The governor commended  the NPC  for initiating the process of taking the Almajiri off the streets through a system that would see them attend universities in Madina, Niger, and Malaysia.

    He, however, pointed out that such would not be sufficient to fully tackle the menace.

    Sule recalled how in 2020 he attempted to stem the problem by sending Almajiris who were not Nasarawa indigenes to their states.

    He said the four times, he tried yielded no positive results as those ‘’transported out’’ returned to Nasarawa.

    He announced plans by his administration to set up three special schools in Lafia, Akwanga, and Keffi to rehabilitate the Almajiri but called on his colleagues in the North to ensure that they stopped producing more Almajiri. 

    Earlier, the Executive Secretary,  National Commission of Almajiri and Out of School Children, Mohammed    Idris, said that available data showed that there are 251 million out-of-school children globally. 

    Idris said that out of the figure, Nigeria has ‘’over 30 million Almajiri that are today roaming the streets.’’

    He said: “Out of this number(251 million), 163m are from Africa.   Nigeria has the largest number.  Even  though the data before us is not cogent and verifiable it is suggesting that we have over 30 million  Almajiri that are today roaming the streets of this country.” 

    He blamed the situation on the wrong interpretation of verses of the  Quran.

    The Executive Secretary announced that the commission was about to inaugurate a programme in Kaduna State where 350 Almajiri would be absorbed and exposed to the understanding of Arabic and  English.

    “That way we are sure they will develop linguistic immunity against any ideology that is not in tandem with the correct teaching of the Quran,” he said.

    NPC   Chairman Nasir Kwarra described the conference as a critical step towards one of the commission’s key responsibilities— research and dissemination of evidence-based data for policy formulation and development.

     “The overall objective of the conference is to provide a forum for articulating, discussing, and proffering actionable solutions to the multidimensional socioeconomic and environmental challenges of the region,” he said.