By Ali Abare
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State is a leader that is re-writing the books when it comes to leadership. In a political landscape often clouded by impressiveness, Governor Sule emerges as a refreshing breeze of transformative leadership.
With a leadership style rooted in humility, transparency, and forward-thinking innovation, the Governor is not just building infrastructure, he’s building trust, opportunity, and hope for the people of the state.
Keen political watchers are of the view that the Governor’s humility is his signature. A seasoned engineer and topnotch private sector player, having resigned from his position as the Group Managing Director at the Dangote Group, Governor Sule brings to governance the quiet confidence of a leader who listens more than he speaks.
Whether visiting rural communities to assess projects firsthand or engaging citizens in candid town halls, his approachable attitude disarms and inspires. There are indeed, countless times of his unannounced visits to markets and schools, where he prioritizes dialogue over protocol.
“Leadership is about lifting others, not oneself,” has been the hallmark of his administration, a philosophy that is mirrored in the Governor’s decision to champion inclusive policies that prioritize the marginalized.
In an era where public trust is fragile, Governor Sule has thrown open the doors of accountability. His administration pioneered the Nasarawa Open Government Initiative, digitizing budget tracking and procurement processes to curb graft.
Through these laudable initiatives, the public can now access real-time data on project expenditures via a user-friendly portal, while quarterly public accountability forums invite scrutiny and feedback.
A cursory research showed that Governor Sule’s administration operates like an open book. The Nasarawa Open Government Initiative (NOGI), launched in 2021, has set a national benchmark for accountability.
Through NOGI’s digital dashboard, the public track the ₦15.3 billion earmarked for rural electrification or monitor road construction timelines in real time. During the pandemic, his government partnered with TrackaNG to geo-map COVID-19 palliatives, ensuring 98% of relief packages reached verified households, earning accolades for the state.
Not only that, Nasarawa under Governor Sule recorded 80% reduction in procurement-related petitions since NOGI’s inception (Nasarawa Bureau of Public Procurement, 2023), with the state ranked 1st in North-Central Nigeria for fiscal transparency by the BudgIT Index (2022).
Nasarawa State can be described as a practical demonstration of the saying that, “When people see integrity, they invest in progress,”-a mantra reflected in Nasarawa’s rising credibility among investors that are rushing to invest in the state in diverse areas such as mining, agriculture and hospitality.
A visionary with an engineer’s precision, Governor Sule is propelling Nasarawa into the digital age. The launch of the Nasarawa Technology Village, a hub for startups and tech giants, aims to position the state as Nigeria’s next Silicon Valley.
His agricultural reforms deploy smart farming tools and partnerships with agribusinesses to empower rural farmers, boosting yields and livelihoods. The Jangwa Rice Farm is an entirely new innovation that is geared towards ensuring food security.
Undoubtedly, it is clear for all to see that Governor Sule’s leadership is fueled by selflessness. From commissioning solar-powered hospitals to allocating over 20% of the state budget to education, his policies prioritize long-term impact over short-term gains.
He championed the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS) 2022–2027, a blueprint for sustainable growth focusing on job creation and youth empowerment. Amid security challenges, his collaborative approach with communities and security agencies has reduced clashes, fostering peace for progress.
In Nigeria’s dynamic political arena, where promises often overshadows action, the Governor stands apart. His leadership, anchored in humility, transparency, and visionary innovation, is rewriting the narrative of governance, one community-centered project at a time. From technolgy-driven reforms to grassroots empowerment, Governor Sule’s altruism isn’t just a trait; it’s the engine powering Nasarawa’s rise.
The Governor’s quest to building a 21st-Century Nasarawa State is obvious and undeniable. A tech enthusiast, Governor Sule is positioning Nasarawa as Nigeria’s next innovation hub. The Nasarawa Technology Village (NTV), a joint venture with global tech firms, has already attracted ₦28 billion in private investments, creating over 1,500 jobs for youths.
For an administrator earnestly working to bequeath a legacy of collective progress and genuine sustainable development, Governor Sule’s leadership transcends brick-and-mortar projects. By fostering trust, inclusivity, and hope, he’s nurturing a new generation of leaders.
With Nasarawa now being recognized as a testament to quiet excellence, in Governor Sule, the state has found a leader who blends the pragmatism of an engineer, the compassion of a philanthropist, and the foresight of a visionary.
And as the state climbs in ranking in solid minerals development, agriculture, education, ease of doing business, energy and gas, one truth is clear: this is leadership that works, inspires, and endures.
Abare is the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Abdullahi Sule
