Gombe at 28: Inuwa Yahaya’s Visionary Governance as Helmsma
By Ismaila Uba Misilli
As the dawn of a new era sweeps across Gombe State, the once overlooked Jewel in the Savannah is now basking in an era of rapid transformation under the visionary leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON.
Gombe State was created On October 1, 1996 by the Military administration of the late General Sani Abacha, marking the commencement of its journey as one of Nigeria’s youngest states. Over the past 28 years, the state has achieved notable advancements in numerous sectors.
With every passing year, the profile of Gombe State on the national and international stage continues to rise, a clear demonstration of Inuwa Yahaya’s relentless drive to turn the state into a hub of progress in line with the vision of our founding fathers.
As the Nigerian flag flutters in celebration of the nation’s 64th Independence Day, Gombe State proudly embraces a triple milestone. The state is marking not only the nation’s historic achievement but also its 28th anniversary, and at the same time celebrating its remarkable ascent to prominence under the leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
The pulse of the state now beats with confidence, echoing its position as a top-performing state across a variety of socio-economic indices.
Gombe has emerged as a model of good governance, excelling in areas ranging from healthcare and education to infrastructure, investment, and social inclusion.
This success story didn’t happen by chance. Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s deliberate policies, fueled by a profound understanding of leadership, have guided the state from the margins to the forefront of Nigeria’s development narrative.
With a background steeped in public service reform and economic planning, Governor Inuwa Yahaya had a clear vision for the state from the onset—a vision that he continues to bring to life with strategic precision and boundless energy.
Among the most striking indicators of Gombe’s resurgence is the transformation in its education sector. At the time Inuwa Yahaya assumed office, Gombe was grappling with one of the poorest educational performances in Nigeria, with less than 30% of secondary school students passing their exams. By 2023, this figure had soared to a distinction level, a result of targeted investments and reforms. The governor didn’t just declare a state of emergency in education—he followed it up by channeling resources into the construction of new schools, including mega ones, upgrading facilities, and launching comprehensive programmes which brought over 350,000 out-of-school children back into the classroom.
Similarly, the healthcare sector has undergone a profound transformation. Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration not only built general hospitals in strategic locations across the state but also redefined access to affordable healthcare with the groundbreaking GoHealth insurance scheme. Under GoHealth, Gombe residents now enjoy subsidized medical services, marking a shift towards universal health coverage.
In addition, the establishment of the Gombe State Health Management Board and the Gombe State Drug Management Agency, has improved the overall management and oversight of health services, ensuring the availability of quality care and medication for all citizens.
The Network 11-100 project in Gombe State, initiated by Governor Inuwa Yahaya, targeting the construction of 100 kilometers of roads in each of the 11 Local Government Areas, is designed to enhance connectivity across the state. Recent developments include the approval of ₦11.7 billion for ongoing road projects and the signing of contracts for six new roads in Kumo, reinforcing the government’s commitment to this ambitious plan. Already nearly 700 kilometres have been covered in this initiative.
The Gombe Capital Special Development Zone (GCSDZ) is another masterstroke of Governor Inuwa Yahaya to enhance urban renewal and sustainable development. Spanning 1,478 hectares with 12 layouts, it aims to boost the state’s IGR and provide infrastructure improvements, including a recently launched 20.55 km road and stormwater project.
As the urban renewal of Gombe unfolds, the state capital and surrounding towns have become hubs of development, boasting new roads, and modern facilities that have reshaped the landscape.
Critical infrastructure projects, such as the multi-billion Naira Gombe Water Expansion Project, have expanded access to clean water, benefiting both rural and urban communities.
Also, Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration has tackled the state’s long-standing erosion issues with a series of projects aimed at controlling the environmental impact of erosion in areas like FCE, London Mai Dorawa, and Wuro Kesa. These projects, not only protect the environment but also safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and residents who once lived in constant fear of losing their land and homes.
The sprawling 1,000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park stands as a shining example of this vision, with plans for the park to serve as a fulcrum for the industrialization of the North-East, setting Gombe apart as a rising star in Nigeria’s economic landscape.
Gombe’s newfound status as Nigeria’s most favourable destination for business was no accident. With the governor’s strategic international outreach, Gombe has attracted significant attention from global investors. His investment drive has taken him across the globe, from the bustling cities of Morocco and China to the USA, where he secured critical partnerships to support the state’s industrial ambitions.
In Morocco, the Governor’s engagement with key stakeholders in the fertilizer, livestock, and renewable energy sectors secured deals that will improve agricultural output and energy sufficiency.
In China, Inuwa Yahaya focused on securing partnership in agriculture, specifically the canalization of the Balanga Dam, which will be vital to supporting large-scale irrigation farming in order to enhance food production, create jobs, and ensure food security.
In addition to energy and agriculture, the Governor discussed the possibility of collaboration on regional infrastructure development, including the construction of roads. These projects are in line with the Governor’s vision of improving connectivity, facilitating commerce, and enhancing the overall economy of Gombe State.
Meanwhile, his visit to the USA resulted in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) in the United States of America, which has yielded significant commitments that will pave the way for groundbreaking collaborations to position Gombe State as a hub for agricultural innovation and development.
One of the standout achievements from the visit is MSU’s commitment to establish an agricultural innovation hub in Gombe as part of its prestigious American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Programme. Gombe will be one of only four locations in Africa where these hubs will be established.
The Governor was also at World Medical Relief in Detroit, Michigan where he inspected the medical equipment that the Gombe State government will import to further strengthen its efforts to elevate medical standards and offer modern solutions to healthcare challenges in the state.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration has also championed youth and women empowerment as a critical component of his vision for an inclusive society. Through several initiatives, young entrepreneurs in Gombe now have access to training, mentorship, and startup capital. The governor understands that empowering the youth is essential to sustaining long-term economic growth, and under his leadership, the state’s youth population has found new hope in business, agriculture, and innovation.
Not to be left behind, women empowerment in Gombe has also seen a significant boost. The recapitalization of micro-enterprises for women across the state has transformed thousands of lives, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their households and the broader economy.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s blueprint for continued growth of Gombe State is encapsulated in the 10-year development plan, which lays the groundwork for sustained peace, economic prosperity, and social cohesion. With his sights set on the future, Gombe is undoubtedly on a path to greater heights, a reflection of the governor’s commitment to leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
As the world looks to Gombe, the state stands not just as a case study in governance but as an example of what is possible when leadership is driven by the will to serve, innovate, and transform.
The remarkable progress under Governor Inuwa Yahaya in the last 5 and a half years, is a clear indication of what leadership anchored in vision and action can achieve. His administration’s strides in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and industry and investment are shaping the state into a model for others to follow. As Gombe continues its meteoric rise on the national stage, it remains poised to be a hub of development and investment, creating a prosperous future for its people and solidifying its place as the Jewel in the Savannah in line with the vision of our founding fathers.
Misilli is Director-General ( Press Affairs) Government House, Gombe
