STATE WIDE BROADCAST BY SENATOR BALA ABDULKADIR MOHAMMED CON. Fnipr ( KAURAN DAULAR USMANIYYA) EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF BAUCHI STATE,
ON THE OCASSION OF THE CELEBRATION OF 50TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE CREATION OF BAUCHI STATE ON 3RD FEBRUARY, 2026
– Fellow citizens of Bauchi State.
– In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Beneficent.
Today I speak to you with a heart filled with gratitude, pride, and responsibility as we mark the 50th Anniversary of the creation of our dear State. This Golden Jubilee is a defining moment in our history , one that calls for reflection on our journey, appreciation of our sacrifices, and renewed commitment to our collective future.
2. On the 3rd of February, 1976, the late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, of blessed memory, announced the creation of Bauchi State alongside six others from the defunct North-East State. He did not live long to witness the growth of the states he courageously brought into existence, having been assassinated ten days later. On this solemn occasion, we pray that Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest and rewards his courage and sacrifice.
3. The attainment of fifty years of existence by Bauchi State out of which Gombe State was created in 1996—is a profound cause for joy and thanksgiving to Almighty God. Despite political, economic, and social challenges, Bauchi State has endured and progressed. Indeed, the survival and steady growth of a geopolitical entity for fifty years is a remarkable achievement worthy of celebration and reflection.
4. The take-off and sustained existence of Bauchi State since 1976 were made possible through the vision and sacrifice of our founding fathers. These patriots laid the solid foundations of governance, unity, and development upon which our State stands today. We honour their legacy and pray that Almighty God grants eternal rest to those who have returned to our Creator.
5. We also acknowledge the immense contributions of leaders who served Bauchi State as military and civilian Governors, beginning with Colonel Muhammad Bello Kaliel, the first military Governor, and Alhaji Abubakar Tatari Ali, the first democratically elected Governor.
6. Among the other Chief Executives of the State were the late General Garba Duba, late Major General Muhammad Sani Sami, Major General Chris Abutu Garuba, late Major General Joshua Madaki, late Colonel Abu Ali, late Alhaji Dahiru Mohammed, Late Wing Commander James Yana Kalau, Navy Captain Adisa Raji, Colonel Theophilus Bamigboye, Wing Commander Adamu Mishelia, Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, Malam Isa Yuguda and Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar.
7. Each administration, in its own way, contributed to the growth, stability, and continuity of Bauchi State. We remain grateful to all of them, living and deceased, and pray that Almighty God rewards their service.
8- Since its creation, Bauchi State has recorded notable progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, water supply, and security. The establishment of schools and colleges, universities, polytechnics, primary healthcare facilities and general hospitals across wards and Local Government Areas, improved road networks, and sustained investment in agriculture reflect decades of collective effort and resilience, even in the face of significant challenges.
9- I must emphasize that our collective efforts in the area of security, collaborating with security agencies to protect the lives and property of the citizens, had provided the basis for our sustained peace and development.
10- These milestones would not have been possible without the sacrifices of leaders in the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, as well as the dedication of civil servants, traditional and religious institutions, professionals, farmers, traders, women, youths, and the private sector. Bauchi State is, no doubt, a product of shared responsibility. While we honour the past, the present generation must take this Golden Jubilee as a challenge to work harder.
11- The State is no doubt blessed with abundant potentials upon which the present Government has focused much attention and which we must adequately harness. Bauchi State occupies a total land area of 49,549 square kilometres representing about 5.3% of Nigeria’s total land mass. The state is bordered by seven states, Kano and Jigawa to the north, Taraba, and Plateau to the south, Gombe and Yobe to the east and Kaduna to the west. It provides a gateway to the North-Eastern part of the country from other regions and vice-versa for those going from the North East into other regions. This provides huge opportunities for markets especially in agriculture, logistics, hospitality as well as tourism.
12- The State has a population estimated at about 9.5 million brought about by a steady growth since 2012 at the rate of 3.6 percent per annum and a very high of immigration because of the relative peace prevailing in the State. It is estimated that with the current growth rate, Bauchi population would almost double by 2023. Over half of the population is under the age of 15, and as the population continues to grow, the proportion under age 15 years will continue to increase. This provides a vast pool of human capital needed for the economic growth of the State.
13- Bauchi state has a predominantly agrarian economy, and agriculture is a primary source of livelihood for a large portion of its population. The sector stands as a pillar of its economic foundation, providing livelihoods for a significant portion of its population and contributing substantially to the state’s overall well-being. The agriculture sector in the State has long served as the backbone of the region’s economy, employing approximately 80% of the state’s workforce in both food and cash crop production. It is the mainstay of the state’s economy with an estimated 4.2 million hectares of cultivable land out of which only 1.8 million hectares is currently utilized and has a rainfall regime that ranges from 700mm in the extreme north to about 1,300mm in the South-West of the state. The rain fed season varies from 95 days in the extreme north to about 175 days in the south. These are the major climatic factors influencing cropping pattern and other farming practices.
14- The predominant crops being cultivated during the rain fed season are Sorghum, Millet, Rice, Maize, Groundnuts, Soya beans, Cowpea, Tomato, Onion, Sweet potato, Cassava, Hibiscus, Sesame seeds etc. The State annual agricultural production output had grown from 1.6 million metric tonnes in 2016 to an estimated 6.4 million metric tonnes in 2021 and improving while the combined estimated annual domestic demand on all the crops is estimated at over 8.6 million metric tonnes.
15- To support irrigation and all year-farming cycle various rivers, lakes and other water bodies abound in the State. The Gongola River crosses Bauchi state in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area in the south and in Kirfi and Alkaleri Local Government Areas in the eastern part of the state, while the Jama’are River cuts across a number of Local Government Areas in the northern part of the State. Furthermore, a substantial part of the Hadeja-Jama’are River basin lies in Bauchi State, which along with various fadama (floodplain) areas in the state provide suitable land for agricultural activities.
16- These are further supported by the number of dams meant for irrigation and other purposes. These include the Gubi, Galala and waya dams. There also lakes such as the Maladumba Lake in Misau Local Government Area that further provide the necessary conditions to support Agriculture. In spite of all these, it is estimated that only about 10% of the water resources in the state is developed and utilized for commercial agriculture.
17. In addition, the enormous population of livestock estimated at over 2 million heads of cattle, 3.8 million heads of sheep, 5.6 million goats and 8 million poultry have also not been optimally harnessed to improve the economy of the state. The potentials in the sector include the development of Priority Value Chains in Agro-Food Processing; Large Scale Commercial Agricultural Production; and Pasture Production among others.
18- In the solid minerals sector, nature has endowed Bauchi State with high deposit of untapped minerals. Recent studies have shown that there are over 60 varieties of minerals in the state. The sector though presently dominated by artisanal miners has various categories of mineral resources in the State including:
• METALIC comprising Lead/Zinc, Cassiterite, Tantalites, Iron Ore, Bismuth, Rutile etc
• INDUSTRIAL such as Kaolin, Limestone, Gypsum, Clay, Quarz, Silica sand, Graphite etc
• GEMSTONES like Beryl, and tourmaline etc; and
• EVAPORITES such as Salt and Brine etc
19- The State is also blessed with substantial Hydrocarbon deposits. Exploration activities have commenced in earnest following the commercial discovery of oil and gas in the Kolmani Area of Alkaleri Local Government. Over 6 oil wells have so far been rigged. Huge prospects for the establishment of industries abound through forward and backward linkages around the sectors.
20- Though the economy of Bauchi had shrunk considerably in the 1990s due to global economic downtown as a result of which major industries such as Bauchi Meat Factory, Galambi Cattle Ranch, Gubi Dairy Company Limited, Arewa Ceramics and Zarandah Hotels among others became moribund, it is the cardinal objective of the present administration to attract private, brownfield investment in order to resuscitate these industries either through partnership or outright divestment.
21- In the area of Tourism, Bauchi State is endowed with great tourism potentials and leisure and recreational sites that are investment friendly. Based on this unique natural endowment, Bauchi State is tagged as “Pearl of Tourism” and “Home of Peace and Hospitality”. Key eco-tourism attractions include:
• Wildlife Parks including the premier Yankari Games Reserve
• Sites and Monuments; and
• Cultural Festivals
22- Other Sectors with Opportunities and huge potentials include Renewable Energy as well as Urban and Rural Development which focuses on Sustainable Environment and Physical Infrastructure development in:
❖ Waste Management Facilities;
❖ Flood Control, Erosion Management & Deforestation;
❖ Modern Markets;
❖ Transportation & Traffic Management;
❖ Security Infrastructure &
❖ Mass Housing
23- I must note here that our efforts towards attracting the required investments are yielding required and encouraging results. The Bauchi State Economic & Investment Summit held in October 2025 had generated investment pipelines of over 5.2 billion US Dollars for which the required follow-up is being done. Arrangements for the establishment of a Cement Company has reached advanced stage while a partnership with Chinese investors has led to the establishment of a joint ventures mining company here in Bauchi.
24- In the area of human capital, statistics as at 2019/2020 had revealed a teacher/student ratio of 1:80; a total enrolment of only 2,376 pupils/students for Special Needs Education; an eligible number of out-of-school children of 1.3million comprised mainly of the less privileged such as Almajirai (street beggars) and children who live in the rural areas. There were further concerns that more children were at risk of dropping out before ending primary education with the most affected being girls, traumatized children affected by insurgency, Orphans, and Vulnerable Children (OVC), Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), children with disabilities, and pastoral nomads.
25- Key among the challenges responsible included inadequate infrastructure and facilities such as classrooms, staff accommodation, laboratories and other teaching Aids etc; teacher shortage with direct bearing to the high pupils/students:teacher ratio; and Low integration of Tsangaya Schools, Special Needs and Vocational Education schools into the formal education system.
26- Some of the key efforts made by Government over the last 6 years include:
• Implementation of the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme with the support of the World Bank and other government and donor efforts including UNICEF which had improved the out–of-school children situation.
• An additional reduction had further been achieved through the government’s efforts to expand enrolment drive programmes for girls; enrolment and retention in nomadic education schools; and the incremental integration of Tsangaya schools into formal education with a reduced figure of about 500,000 for out of school children as at 2025.
• Massive investments by government resulting in the construction of over 8,000 additional classrooms, renovation of existing school infrastructure, provision of teaching aids and the employment of additional teachers.
• The implementation of the World-Bank supported AGILE project for which a number of schools are currently being rehabilitated and improved upon.
27- In healthcare delivery, the picture in the health sector was similarly gloomy at the inception of the present Government in 2019. The maternal mortality rate prevailing at 593.8 per every 100,000 live births was one of the highest while Infant mortality rate at 81 and under-five mortality rate at 161 for every 1,000 were also alarming. These were attributed to:
• In-equalities in the distribution of health care resources and access to services especially between urban and rural areas,
• Poor and inadequate human resources for health and infrastructural deterioration in healthcare facilities.
• Dearth of critical infrastructure including roads that opens up the rural community and provides accessibility to school and health facilities, water supply etc.
28- These challenges had driven the present government to convene a health summit in 2019 to find solutions to some of the lingering problems which required concerted government efforts over the past 6 years. The successes achieved include, but are not limited to:
• Increase in the number of health care facilities with over 1,163 Primary Healthcare facilities in the 323 wards across the State; a total of 32 secondary healthcare facilities, 27 of which are public including 3 new General Hospitals constructed by Government ensuring that each Local Government has a General Hospital.
• Massive expansion of the routine outreach immunization programme by supporting 958 Primary Healthcare facilities to conduct immunization annually through a four-part Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) basket-funding established by the Government in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation and UNICEF.
• Establishment of a Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) to cover General Hospitals for the supply of essential drugs.
• Establishment of the Bauchi State Health Contributory Management Agency to mobilize financial resources for providing predictable, sustainable, mandatory, equitable access to quality health care services through public and private facilities with financial risk protection for all residents.
• Establishment of Bauchi State Health Trust Fund (BHETFUND) to mobilize financial resources for the delivery of public health care services; managing emergency health issues; and conducting health needs assessment.
29- Within the Environmental Sector, natural and man-induced climatic changes had constituted a barrier to the state’s capacity to reach its optimum potentials. With about 41% of the land degraded and 63% deforested, the prevalence of extreme weather events such as flooding and windstorm had also been devastating in many parts of the state causing enormous loss of lives and damage of properties. The continuous cultivation of land, overgrazing due to population pressure and poor investment in land improvement had rendered a wholesome of arable land unproductive, making farmers and herders economically vulnerable.
30- These situations coupled with incessant droughts over the last three decades have increased the poverty level in the state. Women, children and the aged bear this burden disproportionately.
31- Key measures taken by Government to address the problems include the Implementation of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), a six-year World Bank supported strategic project that prioritizes actions to address environmental challenges and improve livelihood of benefiting communities within the components including Dryland Management and Community Resilience. Numerous Earth-Dams, and water points along our cattle routes have been built across the 20 LGAs.
32- In terms of humanitarian efforts, the peaceful nature of the State had contributed to the influx of a massive number of immigrants from the neighbouring crises-torn states estimated at over 1.5 million arising from insurgency, religious and ethnic clashes among other reasons. The State’s policy of accommodation and integration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) into the host communities had exerted a lot of pressure on the existing homes available and the limited basic social services such as schools, healthcare facilities, water supply schemes etc. The need for the provision of additional services in the form social housing for the displaced, schools, health facilities, water supply and other social services had become paramount.
33- The State also has a vast population of youths that are talented, able and ready to be transformed into a formidable workforce with the potential to propel the economic fortunes of the State. The State has, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, an unemployment rate of 21% mainly made up of graduates in various fields, entrepreneurs and others with key interests in youth export program that could be developed through empowerment and skills development schemes. Additional opportunities are further availed in sports development with the niche the State had created as the “Mecca of Sports’’ in Northern Nigeria.
34- The Government considers the gainful engagement of such youths as a panacea to mitigate youth restiveness and reduce crime levels in the State. We have, in a bid to address some of the challenges, been involved in the employment of 10,000 workers into the State service to reduce redundancy/unemployment the imminent gaps within the system as well as the promotion of various skills and entrepreneurial development programmes across sectors.
35- In the overall, we have over the last six years of our administration, implemented a programme of action that had improved the stock of critical infrastructural needed to leap-frog the economy of the state to a path of growth and executed projects and programmes that had impacted on the lives of our citizens. Specifically, we have expanded on the network of roads in the State to open up the hugely productive but hitherto inaccessible agrarian and huge endowed rural areas to wider markets while at the same time providing access to the communities to basic social services required. Over 3,000 kilometres of urban and intra-state roads have been provided while an additional 1,000 kms have been constructed under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) of the World Bank which will connect the hard to reach areas of the state.
36- We have been driven to this success path leveraging on a very clear vision we had crafted for the State that had guided the development of the State Medium Term Plan 2021 – 2025 to align with the overall national development agenda.
37- In order to build up on these successes, it has become imperative for us to leverage on the potentials that God almighty has bestowed on us in agriculture, livestock, mineral resources, oil and gas, renewable energy sources and the large human capital base among others in order to grow the economy and create a path of sustainable development and prosperity for the State and by extension, the country at large.
38- But the future demands planning beyond election cycles. By the year 2033, the world is expected to undergo significant advancements in various fields such as technology, infrastructure, agriculture, finance, tourism, medicine, social integration, communications, and travel.
39- However, despite the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) having already passed their 2030 deadline then, nations, sub-nations and communities that do not plan for the long term or fail to effectively implement such plans may face severe poverty and isolation in a changing world.
40- Global cooperation may increase, but countries might become more focused on addressing their internal issues rather than helping others. Therefore, it is essential for nations and sub-national entities to create and execute strategies to achieve the aspirations of their people, as we have done through our strategic development plan, emphasizing sectors like agriculture, health, education, tourism, private sector, SDGs, infrastructure, the environment, and tourism to foster economic growth and infrastructure development for a prosperous society.
41- It has also become crucial to implement a series of medium-term plans within the framework of longer-term horizons (such as 10 or 20 years) to achieve sustainable gains in social welfare. Long-term planning is more effective, especially during periods of rapid structural change, as it helps avoid cyclical behavior associated with shorter-term plans.
42- Furthermore, long-term planning ensures continuity, policy consistency, and predictability of growth, even during government changes. Bauchi State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recognizes this and had extented its 2021-2025 plan into a 10-year development plan that goes beyond the current regime and extends beyond the end date of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
43- The Bauchi State Development Plan 2033, which is the 10-year plan, aims to build upon the State Medium Term Plan 2025 by expanding its scope, particularly focusing on security and social inclusion. The plan prioritizes issues such as women, young individuals, children, and vulnerable populations in Bauchi.
44 – It is essential to note that this 10-year plan does not duplicate existing plans but rather complements them to achieve the state’s desired vision, considering governance, legislative, social, and policy reforms that strengthen its capacity to fulfill the vision.
45- The Bauchi State Development Plan 2023-2033 is predicated on four pillars that include:
• Coherent Policy Thrust for the Plan
• Realistic Macroeconomic Framework.
• Prioritised and Sequenced list of Programmes and Projects to drive annual budgets.
• Robust Implementation and M&E Framework to Ensure the Plan is efficiently and effectively Implemented.
46- In terms of vision, by the year 2033 Bauchi State seeks to become the leading economy in the North-East region and one of the top 10 most economically and socially developed states in the country. This vision of the state is meant to invent a better future for the people of the state by building a secure, prosperous and inclusive society, within the next 10 years and even beyond.
47- We intend to achieve boundless opportunities for growth and development in Bauchi State through the active collaboration between developed human capital, efficient state governance, private sector and development partners. In line with the above mission, the State aims to use the vast human, natural and man-made resources of the state to create wealth and ensure the well-being of the people through structural transformation of the economy in an all-inclusive manner, by using a consultative and participatory process to achieve a better life for all Bauchi citizens.
48- The focus of the Plan is such that the sectors are prioritized and grouped within the 12-clusters of our Administration’s economic blueprint: Agriculture and Food Security, Education, Health, Infrastructure, Security of Lives and Property, Environment, Tourism, Information and Communications Technology, Housing, Private Sector, Regional Collaboration, and General Administration.
49- The planning process is guided by government priorities and community input. Implementation involves investing in key sectors, with a focus on funding strategies. Monitoring and evaluation are crucial for budget programming. Our planning and budgeting process reflects a systems approach.
50- It is therefore important that as we look into the achievements of the past 50 years, we must also look into the future with optimism guided by a planned, organized and systematic arrangement as manifested in our Perspective Plan.
51- As part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations, a programme of events under the theme “Honouring the Past, Building the Future” have been carefully designed to reflect our faith, culture, heritage, and shared aspirations. These include:
• Special Juma’at Prayers and Interdenominational Church Service
• Commemorative Anniversary Tree Planting Exercise at the Golden Jubilee Unity Park.
• Anniversary Public Lecture and Panel Discussion to share insights into our trajectory of development and the vision for the future;
• Mini-Durbar and Cultural Displays; and
• Gala Night and Awards Presentation as a practical demonstration of appreciation and gratitude to the founding fathers and other leaders who in one way or the other contributed to bringing Bauchi State to where it is today.
52- These activities underscore that this anniversary is not a partisan celebration, but a solemn moment of reflection on the journey so far and the journey ahead.
53- I therefore call on all citizens of Bauchi State to emulate the sacrifice, discipline, and commitment of our founding fathers. The progress of Bauchi State in the 21st Century will be determined by the quality of our leadership and the sense of responsibility of our citizens. As a Government, we remain committed to building solid foundations that will outlive all of us, in line with our Economic Blueprint “My Bauchi Project” and our Development Agenda as encapsulated in our Development Plan.
54- I thank all those who have sent congratulatory messages and those who have taken time out of their busy schedules to join us in celebrating this historic milestone.
55- I congratulate us all on this historic occasion of the 50th anniversary of the creation of our dear State. Long live Bauchi State. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Compiled and Released by the office of the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Governor
3rd February , 2026.
Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed
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