By Ahmed Ilallah
When Jigawa State was created in 1991, it emerged as a largely rural territory, quiet, underserved, and structurally fragile. With only a handful of semi-urban local government areas, the state inherited decades of infrastructural neglect. Transforming such a landscape is not a mere political exercise; it demands vision, discipline, and a deep understanding of the needs of rural communities.
For years, rural infrastructure has remained the missing link in Jigawa’s pursuit of sustainable development. Roads, water systems, healthcare, and education are not luxuries; they are the arteries through which a society grows. Without them, rural economies stagnate, social mobility falters, and communities remain on the margins of national progress. It is within this context that Governor Umar Namadi, commonly known as Danmodi, assumed office, and it is against this backdrop that his administration’s performance must be assessed.
Perhaps the most visible achievement of the Danmodi administration is the unprecedented expansion of Jigawa’s rural road network. In just two years, the government has executed 74 road projects spanning over 976 kilometres, an accomplishment unmatched in the state’s history. In rural economies, roads are transformative. They determine whether farmers can transport produce to markets, whether expectant mothers reach clinics on time, and whether young people can access education and employment beyond their villages.
Notable projects include the Mallam Madori–Gari Uku–Kanya Babba–Malorin Kasim–Abori–Sumburtu–Diginsa route (34.5 km), Arbus–Girbobo–Garin Bukar (33.5 km), Dundubus–Yanjaji–Wangara (16.65 km), the Jahun–Takalafiya–Zareku–Kafin Hausa road with a spur to Dangyatum (38 km), Kukayasku–Malamaba–Katuka–Garin Kwalandi (34.5 km), and the Farun Daba–Maitsani–Baauzini–Kafin Chiroma–Gallu Babba–Gallu Karama–Karkarna bypass (13.2 km). Each of these projects unlocks economic potential and connects previously isolated communities to wider opportunities.
Beyond road construction, the administration has made significant strides in water provision and sanitation—key pillars of rural transformation. Thanks to considerable investment in water infrastructure, many towns and villages now enjoy reliable access to potable water. Several local government areas have also achieved open-defecation-free status, placing Jigawa among the leading states in public health and sanitation reforms. Often overlooked, these improvements drastically reduce disease burdens and enhance quality of life.
Education and healthcare, central to human development, have also received substantial attention. In education, longstanding challenges with teacher quality have been addressed through targeted recruitment, training, and support. Schools across the state are beginning to reflect an environment more conducive to learning. Meanwhile, the healthcare system has undergone significant upgrades: facilities have been modernised, equipment improved, and staffing strengthened, positioning Jigawa to respond more effectively to both routine and emerging health needs.
It is important to note that rural transformation is not the work of two years; it requires long-term, multi-administration commitment. Yet the progress recorded so far signals a tangible shift in direction. Jigawa today is not the Jigawa of yesterday. Danmodi’s focus on roads, water, education, and healthcare demonstrates a clear recognition that development begins with the basics.
The critical questions that remain centre on sustainability: will maintenance keep pace with expansion? Will communities be empowered to utilise and protect these investments? And will future administrations maintain this momentum?
For now, however, one fact is undeniable: Jigawa’s rural landscape is being reshaped, quietly but fundamentally, one road, one borehole, and one classroom at a time.