Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has read the riot act to members of the State Executive Council, directing them to focus attention on completing all ongoing projects rather than initiating new ones, warning that he would not bequeath uncompleted or unpaid contracts to the next administration.
Governor Sule gave the charge on Monday during the first Executive Council meeting of the year held at the Government House, Lafia, with projections indicating that 2026 presents the only full calendar year his administration would have before the 2027 general elections begin to take centre stage.
“I want us to focus and concentrate on completion rather than new projects. Everyday I see new requests, especially from the Ministry of Works about new projects, including the Ministry of Education, NUDA.
I want us to give jobs. I don’t want us as an administration to leave an outstanding job to the next administration,” Governor Sule told his commissioners.
The Governor emphasized on the need for the Executive Council members to focus on completing all ongoing projects in the state. “Please, I would like a situation where all the jobs we are given will be completed by us, so that when we are handing over, we are handing over completed jobs, not just completed but paid.
So that when we are handing over, we are not leaving either the payment of the job or the completion of the job to another administration.
“His directive, which sets the tone for his administration’s thrust towards the 2027 elections, came against the backdrop of what he described as “distractions” from political activities, including the recently released All Progressives Congress timetable for congresses and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s election timetable.
“This is the year that we have to make that decision because this is the full year that we have. Next year we don’t have a full year to operate. Next year we don’t have that full year. That is the reason why I call on you.
Please, let us focus, if you already have so many jobs out there, let’s go there and complete them before we start asking for additional jobs,” he added.
The meeting, which had in attendance the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, SAN and commissioners, as well as the MD/CEO of the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA), Ibrahim Abdullahi, witnessed the Governor outlining an ambitious project commissioning calendar for 2026, describing the year as “the most productive year in the history of this administration.
“According to Governor Sule, March 2026 would witness the commissioning of the lithium plant in the state by Vice President Kashim Shettima, describing the facility as a major milestone in the state’s quest to harness its solid mineral deposits for economic transformation.
Between July and August, the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations university of leadership would be commissioned, with the institution scheduled to take off fully in November following the visit of a global alliance in October.
Infrastructure projects feature prominently in the commissioning schedule, with the Keffi flyover billed for commissioning between October and November, while the Akwanga underpass, dualisation and bypass project would be commissioned around June or July this year.
The Governor also disclosed that various markets nearing completion in Awe, Wamba, Nasarawa, Toto and Doma local government areas would be commissioned between April and May, while the dual flyover in Mararaba would be commissioned between December this year and January next year.Rural roads in Akwanga, Wamba, Nasarawa Eggon, Karu and Lafia local government areas would also be commissioned between June and August this year.
Beyond the immediate commissioning schedule, Governor Sule provided updates on major investment inflows, including the Squire cassava value chain city in Kokona Local Government Area, which he described as a 10,000-hectare project that would be commissioned within the year.
He also disclosed that the JJ Group’s proposed cashew value chain project requiring another 10,000 hectares of land was progressing, with Indian investors having already undertaken site inspections in the company of the Commissioner for Agriculture.
On the Brekete Family housing estate in Karu Local Government Area, the Governor directed the Managing Director of Nasaranda Investment and Development Agency to collaborate with the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure that the state government’s 30 per cent equity in the project is properly secured and not compromised.”It is very important that we have it in such a way that the state government is not shortchanged.
I have seen what they have done from the business point of NASIDA but I think it is also important that from the legal point of view and the community point of view, you are going to wear those two caps, so that you can look at them from these angles and see that if the 30 per cent equity on the part of the state is feasible, realistic.
“We always want to do something that nobody will come and say, no, you have done the wrong thing. Let us do something that is just and fair as we are taking that 30 per cent,” he added.
The Governor also used the opportunity to appreciate security agencies and community leaders for their cooperation, noting that their efforts have continued to position Nasarawa State as one of the most peaceful in the federation.
On the political front, Governor Sule acknowledged the successful solidarity rally organised by ExCo members on Thursday, which he described as “one of the most successful rallies we have had.” He disclosed that the rally had inspired a renewed hope event scheduled for Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to be attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“One of the reasons also for the rush in calling this meeting is the fact that, as you all know, we are an APC administration and the APC timetable for the congresses is out. I know since it is out, it is good for you to hear our position,” the Governor stated, while cautioning against allowing political activities to distract from governance.
“While not taking you away from your daily activities, it is important for you to have an idea about what is being done so that you are totally in the picture.
As if that is not enough, the election timetable is also out, which would add to our distractions. For some of you who are political in nature, I know you are going to pay more attention to some of those things.
But it is very, very important that we do not allow all these activities to distract us from what we are doing everyday.
“In institutional developments, the Governor announced that the Nasarawa State Infectious Diseases Centre, Lafia, had been handed over to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, as requested and agreed during an earlier ExCo meeting, with the teaching hospital taking over all assets and liabilities of the institution.He also disclosed that Nasarawa State University, Keffi, would celebrate its silver jubilee (25 years of existence) in April with a combined convocation that would attract high-profile global figures.
According to the Governor, the Vice Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Professor Attahiru Jega, had travelled to Tanzania to invite the President of Tanzania, who would receive an honorary degree and serve as special guest of honour.
The Minister of Education would deliver the silver jubilee lecture, while renowned Kenyan lawyer Professor Lumumba had accepted an invitation to deliver the convocation lecture.He further reiterated his charge to commissioners, particularly those overseeing the Ministries of Works, Trade and Industry, and Rural Development, to prioritise completion of existing contracts
