This report provides a comprehensive overview of the political journey and key developmental programmes of Dr Dauda Lawal Dare since assuming office as the governor of Zamfara state on May 29, 2023. Elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Lawal’s stewardship commenced amidst significant challenges, particularly in security, education, and healthcare. This document synthesises information from various official and public sources to detail his background, political trajectory, and the administration’s efforts across critical sectors, including security, education, healthcare, road, job creation, and poverty alleviation. The report aims to present a factual account based on available public information, highlighting key initiatives and stated objectives of the administration.
Political Journey and Background
Born on September 2, 1965, in Zamfara state, Dauda Lawal Dare pursued higher education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Political Science in 1987 and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Political Science/International Relations in 1992. He obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Business Administration from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. His academic pursuits were complemented by executive education courses at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, Oxford University Business School, London School of Economics, and Lagos Business School, equipping him with a broad perspective on governance and administration.
Dr. Lawal’s professional career began in 1989 as a Political Education Officer with the Agency for Mass Mobilization for Social and Economic Reliance (MAMSER). He subsequently held positions including Assistant General Manager at Westex Nigeria Limited and later served in diplomatic roles as an Assistant Consular Officer (Immigration) and Chief Protocol Officer at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., starting in 1994.
His transition into the banking sector occurred in May 2003 when he joined First Bank of Nigeria Plc. Over the years, he ascended through various managerial roles, culminating in his appointment as Executive Director, Public Sector North, in September 2012. His banking career was marked by accolades, including the FirstBank CEO Merit Award for Outstanding Performance.
Dr. Lawal’s entry into partisan politics saw him contest for the governorship of Zamfara dtate initially under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2018 primary election, where he was unsuccessful against Mukhtar Shehu Idris. Undeterred, he later joined the PDP and secured the party’s nomination for the 2023 gubernatorial election.
In a significant political development, often described as an upset, he defeated the incumbent Governor Bello Matawalle of the APC in the March 18, 2023 election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Lawal the winner with 377,726 votes against Matawalle’s 311,976 votes. This victory marked a historic moment, as the PDP had not previously won a governorship election in Zamfara state since the return to democracy in 1999.
Governor Lawal inheriting a state grappling with severe insecurity, economic challenges, and deficiencies in public services.
Developmental Programmes and Initiatives
Upon assuming office, Governor Dauda Lawal outlined a multi-dimensional approach to address Zamfara’s pressing challenges, prioritising security while focusing on critical sectors like education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and poverty alleviation. His administration’s strategy involves direct state interventions, leveraging partnerships with federal agencies and international organisations, and implementing reforms aimed at improving governance and service delivery.
Security
Recognising security as the foundation for any meaningful development, Governor Lawal declared it a foremost priority. Zamfara state has been an epicenter of banditry and related criminal activities for over a decade, severely impacting agriculture, commerce, education, and daily life. Governor Lawal stated in an interview that “without security, there won’t be anything.” His approach involves strengthening state-level security apparatus and enhancing collaboration with federal forces.
A key initiative was the establishment and equipping of a state-level security outfit, the Community Protection Guards (CPG), trained to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies within local communities. Reports suggest this outfit has been active in combating insecurity.
Furthermore, the administration has focused on improving synergy with federal security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Police, and Department of State Services (DSS), engaging directly with the National Security Adviser and military leadership to coordinate efforts. The training and deployment of Agro Rangers were also mentioned as part of the strategy to protect agricultural activities and rural communities.
Despite these efforts, the security situation remains complex, with ongoing challenges and occasional criticisms regarding the effectiveness and coordination of security operations
Education
Confronted with what was described as a collapsed education sector upon assuming office, Governor Lawal declared a state of emergency in education as one of his initial actions. His administration articulated a vision of education as a crucial enabler for social mobility and committed substantial resources towards its reform.
The 2024 state budget saw a significant allocation to education, with stated intentions to increase this further in subsequent years, aiming towards the internationally recommended benchmark of 25–30% of the budget. Key objectives include reviving dilapidated educational infrastructure, enhancing the teaching workforce through recruitment and training, and boosting school enrollment.
The government declared education free and expressed aspirations to make it compulsory. Specific initiatives reported include the approval for the employment of 2,000 teachers and efforts to clear inherited backlogs of unpaid examination fees (WAEC and NECO) amounting to billions of naira.
Attention has also been given to tertiary education, with budgetary support for state institutions like Zamfara State University, preparations for its first NUC accreditation, and resumption of work on its permanent site. Furthermore, the administration has engaged in partnerships, such as the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), to implement innovative educational programs.
Healthcare
Similar to education, the healthcare sector in Zamfara was described as being in a state of “unprecedented and embarrassing decay” upon Governor Lawal’s assumption of office, prompting an immediate declaration of a state of emergency in this sector as well. The administration embarked on a “healthcare revolution” focused on infrastructural overhaul and service delivery improvement.
This involved initiating widespread renovation, modernization, upgrading, and equipping of general hospitals across the state, alongside the construction of new facilities where needed. Specific projects included the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the General Hospital in Gusau.
The goal extended beyond physical infrastructure to include ensuring these hospitals are adequately staffed with trained and properly remunerated medical personnel to provide effective, safe, equitable, and integrated healthcare services. Efforts also focused on revitalising Primary Health Care (PHC) through collaborations, such as advocacy visits and discussions with organizations like the World Health Organisation (WHO), aimed at strengthening the PHC system.
Road Network and Infrastructure (Urban Renewal)
Infrastructure development, particularly road networks, forms a significant part of Governor Lawal’s agenda, often framed within an “Urban Renewal Project.” This initiative aims to improve connectivity, facilitate economic activities, and enhance living standards in both urban and rural areas.
A key component involves improving traffic management in the state capital, Gusau, through the planned construction of dedicated Vehicle Transit Areas or trailer parks on major entry routes (Funtua-Gusau and Sokoto-Gusau roads), a project developed in consultation with transport unions like NARTO and PTD.
Beyond traffic management, the administration has launched several road construction and reconstruction projects. Phase one of the urban renewal in Gusau included road networks linking key areas like the Government House and market roads. Contracts were awarded or construction commenced on numerous township roads across the 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Specific examples include the flagging off of 11.65 km of roads connecting towns like Rawayya, Furfuri, and Kurya Madaro in Bungudu and Kauran Namoda LGAs, and the approval for the reconstruction of the 108 km Magami–Dansadau road in Maru LGA. Furthermore, the administration highlighted the near-completion of a new airport as a critical project to improve accessibility and attract investment to the state
Job Creation
Addressing unemployment, particularly among the youth, is another key focus area for Governor Lawal’s administration. Various initiatives aim to create direct and indirect employment opportunities.
One notable program is the Zamfara Youth Sanitation Programme (ZAYOSAP), inaugurated to provide jobs while simultaneously improving environmental hygiene in the state capital, Gusau, and its environs. The first phase reportedly employed 1,500 youths from selected wards in Gusau, with plans to extend the program across all LGAs.
Job creation is also linked to other developmental projects; for instance, the administration mandated that construction firms undertaking road projects within the urban renewal plan must employ a quota of local youths, citing an example of 200 youths for Gusau road constructions.
The significant recruitment drive in the education sector, such as the reported approval for 2,000 teachers, also contributes directly to job creation. Furthermore, the administration expressed commitment to supporting entrepreneurship development and revamping skills acquisition centres to equip youths with relevant skills for self-employment and the job market.
Poverty Alleviation and Empowerment
Poverty alleviation efforts under Governor Lawal’s administration are closely tied to job creation, agricultural support, and strategic partnerships. The government has actively sought collaboration with international development partners like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank to fund and implement poverty reduction initiatives.
A significant example is the UNDP-backed Northwest Prevention Facility Project, launched in April 2025. This project included distributing irrigation equipment to 300 farmers to boost agricultural productivity and providing N150,000 in start-up capital to 1,000 entrepreneurs across various communities, selected through what the government described as a transparent process.
Governor Lawal emphasized that such empowerment programs are integral to his administration’s “rescue mission,” aiming to create sustainable pathways out of poverty. The administration highlighted its commitment by providing necessary counterpart funding for such partnered projects, earning commendation from the UNDP for setting a pace for other states.
The focus on economic diversification, particularly formalizing the mining sector and supporting agriculture, is also presented as a long-term strategy for poverty reduction and economic growth.
Conclusion
Governor Dauda Lawal Dare’s administration in Zamfara State commenced with ambitious goals aimed at rescuing the state from deep-seated challenges, most notably insecurity, and revitalizing key sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The government has declared states of emergency in critical sectors, launched urban renewal projects, initiated job creation schemes like ZAYOSAP, and sought strategic partnerships with development organizations like the UNDP to drive poverty alleviation efforts.
While facing significant inherited problems and ongoing complexities, particularly concerning security, the administration points to various initiatives and projects underway across all 14 LGAs as evidence of its commitment to its developmental agenda. The focus on security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, job creation, and poverty alleviation forms the core of the administration’s strategy, aiming for a more secure and prosperous Zamfara. Continued monitoring and assessment will be necessary to evaluate the long-term impact and sustainability of these programmes.