Barr Ibrahim Mohammed Kashim, served as Secretary to the Bauchi State Government (SSG) under Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed as Governor. He left an indelible mark having contributed to the development of the State. Presently, he is the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), for the 2027 general elections. He is bidding to become the next Governor of the State. He spoke with MONDAY DANLADI, on his
political ambition, reasons and vision for Bauchi State as well as his chances in the 2027 general elections.
What is your motivation to want to be the next Governor of the State?
My motivation is to provide purposeful, transparent and inclusive leadership that will unlock Bauchi State’s enormous human and natural potential. Having served the state in different capacities, I understand both the opportunities and the challenges. I am contesting because I believe Bauchi deserves a government that creates jobs, improves education and healthcare, strengthens security and restores hope. This vision is captured in the MUQADDAS 2027 Policy Blueprint.
What informed your aspirations in the first place?
My aspiration is informed by my experience in public service, my interaction with citizens across the state, and my conviction that Bauchi can do much better. I have seen the challenges facing our youths, women, farmers, civil servants and businesses. Rather than merely criticize, I have developed practical policy solutions contained in our sectoral blueprints, which is why I decided to seek the mandate of the people.
What is your blueprint as Governor, if you eventually emerge elected?
Our blueprint is the MUQADDAS 2027 Policy Blueprint, built around security, economic growth, quality education, accessible healthcare, modern agriculture, civil service reform, youth and women empowerment, infrastructure, mineral resource development, the Halal Economy, and transparent governance. It is a practical roadmap with measurable targets designed to improve the quality of life of every citizen of Bauchi State.
What will you do differently from previous administrations in the State?
Our administration will focus on implementation, accountability and measurable results. We shall diversify the economy through agriculture, mining, industrialization and investment promotion instead of relying largely on federal allocations. We will institutionalize transparent governance, strengthen local government administration, promote public-private partnerships and ensure that government policies directly improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
You are contesting under the opposition and relatively unknown NDC. What are your chances?
Political parties do not develop societies; visionary leadership and the support of the people do. The NDC offers a credible alternative for citizens who desire change. Across Bauchi State, people are increasingly looking beyond party labels and focusing on competence, integrity and clear programmes. I am confident that our message and our policies will resonate with the electorate.
How do you intend to tackle issues of insecurity in the State (kidnapping, banditry)?
Security will be our highest priority because development cannot thrive without peace. We shall strengthen collaboration with federal security agencies, support community policing, deploy technology for intelligence gathering, improve logistics for security personnel and address the root causes of insecurity through job creation, education, skills development and youth empowerment. Our approach combines enforcement with prevention.
In terms of performance, how will you rate the Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed-led administration?
Every administration has recorded achievements and also faced challenges. I acknowledge areas where progress has been made, particularly in infrastructure. However, significant challenges remain in poverty reduction, unemployment, education, healthcare, security and economic diversification. Rather than dwell on criticism, my focus is to offer better alternatives through practical and implementable policies contained in our blueprint.
Bauchi is a civil service State. What are your plans for the service?
The civil service is the backbone of government, and no administration can succeed without a motivated, competent and well-remunerated workforce. Under the MUQADDAS 2027 Policy Blueprint, restoring the dignity of the Bauchi State Civil Service will be one of our top priorities.
We shall undertake a comprehensive review of salaries and allowances to reflect current economic realities, introduce a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), and ensure periodic salary reviews. We will reform the payroll system to eliminate illegal deductions, improve transparency and protect workers’ take-home pay.
We will invest heavily in capacity building by establishing the Bauchi State Public Service Training and Leadership Institute, ensuring every civil servant receives regular professional training in leadership, digital governance, public finance and service delivery. Promotions will be merit-based, supported by a transparent performance management system that rewards excellence and innovation.
We shall also digitise the civil service through electronic personnel records, e-payroll, biometric verification and paperless administration to improve efficiency and eliminate leakages. In addition, we will expand workers’ welfare through affordable housing schemes, mortgage support, health insurance, strengthened pension administration and sector-specific incentives for teachers, healthcare workers and officers serving in rural communities.
Our goal is simple: to build a professional, motivated, technology-driven and people-centred civil service that delivers quality public services and restores pride to public service in Bauchi State.
Restoring Dignity and Welfare for Pensioners in Bauchi State.
A Commitment to Honour Service, Protect Dignity and Secure the Future.
Pensioners are the living foundation of the Bauchi State civil service. They are men and women who dedicated the best years of their lives to building the institutions, schools, hospitals, local governments and public service structures that sustain our state today. It is therefore unacceptable that many retirees are left for years without gratuities, pensions, and access to basic welfare support, especially in the face of today’s harsh economic realities.
The rising cost of food, medication, housing and transportation has made life extremely difficult for retired civil servants. Many pensioners now struggle to meet basic needs, while some are still owed gratuities and pension arrears spanning several years. Recent public reports confirm that Bauchi State still has an acknowledged backlog of gratuities and pension liabilities which government has been paying in batches.
A Muqaddas Government will treat pensioners’ welfare as a moral obligation and a first-line governance priority.
1. STATE OF PENSIONERS IN BAUCHI: CURRENT REALITIES
The plight of pensioners in Bauchi State reflects the broader economic strain facing many states in Nigeria.
Key realities include:
Outstanding gratuity arrears owed for years
Delays in monthly pension adjustments despite inflation
Limited access to affordable healthcare
Poor verification and record-keeping systems
Difficulty for next-of-kin of deceased retirees to access entitlements
Rising poverty among retired civil servants.
For Bauchi State, the exact liability should be established through a transparent audit within the first 100 days, but it is reasonable to expect that outstanding gratuities and pension obligations may amount to several billions of naira.
2. FIRST 100 DAYS: PENSION LIABILITY AUDIT
A Muqaddas Government shall immediately establish a:
Pension and Gratuity Verification & Arrears Audit Committee
Mandate:
Verify all pensioners and retirees
establish exact outstanding liabilities
digitize all pension records
identify ghost claims and duplicated entries
publish verified figures for public accountability
This will produce a clear and credible estimate of total pension debt.
3. YEAR ONE COMMITMENT: COMMENCE IMMEDIATE PAYMENT
Clear-cut Commitment
A Muqaddas Government commits that:
payment of pension and gratuity arrears shall commence in Year One of the administration.
This is a firm policy promise.
Payment Plan
The administration shall:
begin payment within the first fiscal year
adopt a phased quarterly payment system
prioritize the oldest retirees and those in critical need
ensure no pensioner is left without monthly pension payment
clear inherited arrears progressively over 36–48 months.
4. ESTABLISHMENT OF A PENSION BACKLOG CLEARANCE FUND
A dedicated Pensioners Welfare and Arrears Clearance Fund shall be created.
Funding sources:
annual budgetary allocation
internally generated revenue reforms
cost-saving measures in government overhead
special intervention funds
bond-backed structured settlement where necessary
Several states have successfully adopted dedicated settlement approaches to clear long-standing backlogs.
5. FREE BASIC HEALTHCARE FOR RETIREES
A Muqaddas Government will introduce:
Free Basic Medical Services for Pensioners
This shall include:
free consultations in public hospitals
subsidized essential drugs
routine medical checkups
free hypertension and diabetes screening
emergency access for elderly pensioners
priority service desks in hospitals
This is particularly important given the health vulnerabilities associated with old age.
6. MONTHLY PENSION REVIEW MECHANISM
Pensions must reflect current economic realities.
Therefore, pensions shall be reviewed periodically in line with:
inflation
minimum wage adjustments
salary structure reviews
cost of living indices
This ensures retirees are not impoverished by inflation.
7. SPECIAL RETIREE SOCIAL PROTECTION PACKAGE
Additional privileges shall include:
transportation support for elderly retirees
annual welfare grants during festive periods
widow/widower support mechanism
easier access to death benefit claims
legal support for pension disputes
8. DIGITAL PENSION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The pension administration process shall be fully digitized to ensure:
prompt payment
transparency
fraud reduction
easier verification
next-of-kin access
A society that neglects its pensioners has failed its moral responsibility.
The Muqaddas 2027 vision is clear:
those who served Bauchi State with honour must retire with dignity, security and peace of mind.
Our administration will restore hope to our senior citizens through prompt payment of arrears, free healthcare support, and sustainable pension reforms.
Are you satisfied with the recent reforms of the traditional institutions by the present administration?
Traditional institutions are vital partners in governance, peacebuilding and community development. Any reform affecting them should promote unity, preserve our rich heritage and strengthen their constitutional role. Where reforms advance these objectives, they deserve support. Where improvements are required, we shall engage all stakeholders through dialogue, mutual respect and due process.
Is NDC a strong platform for you in Bauchi State?
Yes. The strength of a political platform ultimately comes from the people. The NDC represents a fresh opportunity for inclusive politics, good governance and accountable leadership. We are building a broad-based movement across all local government areas by engaging citizens directly and presenting practical solutions to the challenges facing Bauchi State. I am confident that, with the support of the people, the NDC can provide the leadership Bauchi deserves.
What are your plans for the education sector which has suffered neglect over the years?
Revitalising Education for a Greater Bauchi State (2027–2031)
A Vision for Knowledge, Opportunity and Human Development
Education is the foundation upon which enduring progress, social justice, and economic prosperity are built. No society can rise above the quality of education available to its children and youth. For Bauchi State, the future we seek must begin in our classrooms, our teachers, our schools, and the opportunities we create for every child—boy or girl, urban or rural, privileged or vulnerable.
The Muqaddas 2027 vision is anchored on the firm belief that every child in Bauchi State deserves access not only to schooling, but to quality education that prepares them for life, leadership, and productive citizenship.
Our Commitment
We are committed to building an education system that guarantees: access for every child, quality teaching and learning, modern and safe school infrastructure, girl-child education and inclusion, skills for employment and entrepreneurship, transparent and accountable funding.
This reform agenda shall be pursued through a five-year strategic transformation plan (2027–2031).
PILLAR ONE: TEACHER REVOLUTION
The quality of any education system can never rise above the quality of its teachers.
A Muqaddas administration shall: recruit 10,000 qualified teachers over five years, prioritise Mathematics, English, Science, ICT and technical subjects, establish continuous teacher training and retraining programmes, introduce incentives for teachers posted to rural communities, strengthen monitoring, supervision and school inspection.
Expected Impact will be improved learning outcomes, stronger literacy and numeracy, higher WAEC and NECO success rates
PILLAR TWO: SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE RENEWAL
Far too many children still learn in overcrowded, under-equipped, or unsafe classrooms.
Our government shall launch a Statewide School Renewal Programme to: renovate dilapidated schools, construct new classrooms in underserved areas, provide desks, chairs and instructional materials, equip science laboratories and ICT centres and provide water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
Expected Impact are improved school attendance, reduced dropout rates, safer and more conducive learning environment
PILLAR THREE: GIRL-CHILD AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
No society can prosper when half of its population is denied opportunity.
We shall implement a bold programme for: scholarships for girls from low-income families,
targeted support to reduce early school dropout, advocacy against early marriage through community engagement, support for children living with disabilities,
expansion of school feeding in vulnerable communities
Expected Impact increased female enrolment and completion, reduced gender disparity, stronger social inclusion
PILLAR FOUR: SKILLS, TECHNICAL AND DIGITAL EDUCATION
Education must prepare our youth for the economy of today and tomorrow.
Our reforms shall include:
upgrading technical colleges,
vocational and entrepreneurship centres, digital literacy and ICT education, agriculture and trade-based skills training, partnerships with industry and local businesses
Expected Impact reduced youth unemployment, increased employability, stronger economic productivity.
PILLAR FIVE: ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESULTS
Budgetary allocations must translate into measurable outcomes. We shall ensure:
quarterly public reporting on education spending, transparent school-level budget dashboards
annual independent education audits, community participation through school management committees.
Expected Impact better use of public funds improved public trust measurable performance improvements
OUR 2031 TARGETS
By the grace of Allah and the collective effort of our people, we aim to achieve: Near-total reduction in out-of-school children, At least 75% pass rate in WAEC/NECO, Strong improvement in girl-child completion rates, ICT-enabled schools across the state and
Functional technical education centres in all zones.
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