By Nuhu Salihu Anka.
His recognition as The Sun Newspaper’s Best Governor of the Year (2025) is firmly anchored on his excellence in leadership and governance, which clearly distinguished him as the most impactful governor within the year under review.
Through his Rescue Mission Agenda, Governor Lawal demonstrated uncommon vision, courage, and determination in rebuilding and stabilising Zamfara State, despite inheriting enormous challenges, including a severely depleted treasury.
His administration prioritises critical sectors such as security, healthcare, education, infrastructure, economic revitalisation, and workers’ welfare, resulting in noticeable improvements in governance delivery, enhanced security efforts, and expanded development initiatives across the state.
Similarly, the Leadership Newspaper Governor of the Year (2025) award reflects his outstanding governance and courageous leadership, which repositioned Zamfara State on a renewed path of peace, progress, and sustainable growth. His bold and transformative initiatives across multiple sectors produced governance outcomes that stood out nationally. This recognition was further strengthened by landmark achievements, including Zamfara State emerging as the best-performing state in primary healthcare delivery in the North-West, underscoring the effectiveness of his strategic reforms in the health sector.
The New Telegraph’s Outstanding Governor of the Year (2025) award was based on Governor Lawal’s strong emphasis on project execution and tangible impact. His administration implemented broad reforms and delivered key development projects in education, urban renewal, and the provision of basic amenities, all aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens and promoting sustainable development.
Notably, he addressed long-standing challenges by clearing a 13-year backlog of civil service gratuities amounting to approximately ₦16 billion, thereby restoring dignity and financial security to retirees.
He also paid outstanding WAEC and NECO examination fees for students, ensuring uninterrupted access to education and reaffirming his commitment to human capital development.
In summary, Governor Dauda Lawal deserves these prestigious awards because of his transformative leadership and governance excellence, delivery of impactful projects that directly improved lives, strategic reforms in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security, and his decisive action in resolving inherited and long-neglected issues. His strong focus on sustainable development, accountability, and measurable progress has not only changed the trajectory of Zamfara State but has also set a benchmark for effective governance, making him a truly deserving Governor of the Year.
Nuhu Salihu Anka is the Director General, Media and Communication Government House, Gusau
