When the people of Sokoto went to the polls and elected Governor Ahmed Aliyu, I bet, not many believed he would turn out even half as good as he has proven to be in the last two years. But two years on, not only has he exceeded expectations—he has all but silenced critics who doubted his leadership capacity. Governor Aliyu hasn’t just taken his role seriously; he has taken it personally, tackling inherited problems with the urgency and clarity of a man who came into office with a well-mapped-out plan and the courage to follow through.
From the perennial water scarcity that once defined our daily struggles to long-standing gaps in healthcare, education, and housing, Governor Aliyu has approached governance with military precision. His actions haven’t been loud, but they have been felt; firm, focused, and impactful. He doesn’t waste time chasing headlines; instead, he chases results. His leadership style is evidence of someone who not only knew what he wanted from the onset but came fully prepared to deliver it.
Of all the areas where Governor Aliyu has made significant impact, road infrastructure is, as far as I’m concerned, arguably where the transformation is most visible. The previous administration left our roads in a sorry state—broken, forgotten, and impassable. Major intra-city roads, as well as key arteries connecting rural communities to markets and service centers, were all begging for government attention. An irony considering our state, Sokoto, an agrarian state, needs roads not only for ease of travel but also to sustain economic lifelines.
I believe it was safe in this knowledge that Governor Aliyu rolled up his sleeves and got to work, rebuilding our roads one kilometre at a time without fanfare or delays. Today, those same roads are the pride of Sokoto. And it’s no wonder the that even his predecessor now finds them attractive enough to pose for photos on them.
Take the Gawon Nama–Runjin Sambo Road for instance. It was once notorious, riddled with potholes, nearly impassable during rains, a daily hazard. But in 2024, Governor Aliyu allocated ₦8.5 billion for its rehabilitation. Within eight months, that muddy, treacherous stretch became a smooth, standard two-lane carriageway with reinforced drainage and pedestrian walkways. Residents report up to 40 percent faster delivery times; commuters now travel safely and reliably, and businesses are breathing easier.
Next, the Kofar Kade–Kofar Rini dual carriageway. This vital entry route into the capital had been a bottleneck. Traffic congestion, constant accidents, and unreliable drainage plagued the road for years. Governor Aliyu designated ₦12 billion to reconstruct and expand the entire length, installing durable asphalt, modern lighting, safety barriers, and new drainage. Completed in early 2025, this road has cut commute times by roughly 30 percent, and road accident rates have dropped significantly. Now motorists glide through, and traders enjoy efficiency that cuts logistics costs.
Along our border, the Illela–Tangaza Road once stifled cross-border trade between Sokoto and neighbouring Niger Republic. Before, farmers watched helplessly as produce rotted due to impassable routes. In late 2023, Governor Aliyu triggered a ₦14 billion reconstruction project. Now fully paved and drained, this corridor links farmers directly to markets beyond borders. Local reports predict a 25 to 30 percent surge in cross-border trade by year-end, restoring the hopes of many rural farmers.
The Kebbe Junction–Rafin Dagaci Road, previously a rough 25‑km stretch, was dangerous and inefficient. In 2024, ₦6 billion was earmarked to pave, widen, add culverts, and install proper signage on the road. By late 2024, vehicles hauled goods and children glided on their bikes to school unafraid of breaking down. As expected, traffic flow rose by 60 percent and public transport fares dropped about 20 percent—a major gain for small communities, especially in these hard times.
Further west, the Sabon Birni–Wurno road was in a dire state of disrepair, leaving farming communities cut off. In early 2025, Governor Aliyu budgeted ₦9 billion to rebuild it, including surfacing strong enough for heavy agricultural vehicles. Now, travel time has been slashed by nearly 30 percent, connecting communities to co‑op centres and city services.
At home in Sokoto city, Umaru Ali Shinkafi Way—a central artery—received a ₦10 billion overhaul too. The entire road was widened, medians were landscaped, sidewalks constructed, lighting improved, and drainage upgraded. With mid‑2025 completion looming, locals expect downtown trade to surge as ease of mobility draws more foot and vehicle traffic.
These as well as several more, are not isolated projects; they’re part of a larger vision. For us in Sokoto, roads like the Illela–Tangaza and Kebbe Junction–Rafin Dagaci are more than mere conveniences; they are economic arteries. The Kofar Kade–Kofar Rini corridor and Umaru Ali Shinkafi Way are about urban mobility, safety, and dignity. The Gawon Nama–Runjin Sambo and Sabon Birni–Wurno roads revive rural communities and integrate them into the economy.
The effects are already clear. Small businesses are reporting between 20–35 percent faster supply chains. Transport costs have dropped an average of 25 percent per mile. Traffic casualties along these routes have fallen by around 40 percent, thanks to dual carriageways, streetlights, and signages. Rural students are getting to class more regularly, and teachers reach their posts reliably. Cross-border traders report increased foot traffic and fresh market pacts.
Governor Aliyu’s method is not flamboyant. He doesn’t grandstand or beg for applause; he goes about doing his work quietly, enduringly, with a clarity that says: “We’re here to build the future.” That resolve has become his hallmark, and the mounting results from all sectors speak volumes. The road revolution has been so massive that former Governor Tambuwal has been photographed gliding on these new roads, not to rewrite history – not that he could anyway, but to acknowledge what governance done right can achieve the desired outcome.
As our dear Sokoto state crosses the two-year mark under his leadership, everyone around here can acknowledge that the foundations of tangible progress have been laid. These roads are not just new blacktop; they are the lifelines of a revitalised Sokoto and we who are progressive minded appreciate governor Aliyu for his efforts thus far. Without mincing words, these roads have opened opportunities—inviting investments, expanding markets, added vigour to agriculture, enhancing education, and restoring civic pride. For all who live in Sokoto, these roads are more than just asphalt on concrete, they offer safety, convenience, and options to everyday citizens.
So, even in this era when political discourse is often dominated by empty rhetoric, Governor Aliyu stands out for doing his job without fuss. Whether it is in addressing water scarcity, health, education, housing, or infrastructure, he has long gone past promises—he’s delivering. And when you drive on the roads in Sokoto today, you can’t help but marvel at results. They’re not just flashy and certainly not temporal; they are functional and indeed, highly transformative.
Skeptics may ask, “Will it last?” But seeing the planning, budgeting, and execution behind these roads, it’s clear that this governor came in with a roadmap, and he’s following it, steadily and astutely. I can bet anyone, that these roads won’t just stand, they’ll stand for what they represent: a government that values people over politics, substance over showmanship, and legacy over limelight.
To conclude this missive, let me affirm that the roads in Sokoto today are more than asphalt, they have been paved with promise and the future in mind. Under Governor Aliyu, the promise of an all-round transformation isn’t just being made, it’s being driven home. And as we reflect on these last two years, I worry for whatever legacy anyone before this governor thought they had left. This is because in his current trajectory of positive impact, Governor Aliyu is gunning to make governing Sokoto state so scary for those unprepared to surpass him, to contemplate. This, reality, I’m sure, would be evident in 2027. Until then, I, my family and associates will continue to pitch camp with this impactful gentleman.