Bauchi@50: Governor Mohammed Salutes Founding Fathers, Reaffirms Commitment To Development

Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, has said that the successful take-off and sustained existence of Bauchi State since its creation in 1976 were made possible by the vision, courage, and sacrifices of its founding fathers.

The governor stated this on Tuesday morning during a statewide broadcast to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of Bauchi State, celebrated on February 3, 2026.

According to him, the pioneers laid a solid foundation of governance, unity, and development upon which the state continued to stand.

“We honour their legacy and pray that Almighty God grants eternal rest to those who have returned to our Creator,” the governor said.

Governor Bala Mohammed described the Golden Jubilee as a defining moment in the history of the state.

“Today, I speak to you with a heart filled with gratitude, pride, and responsibility as we mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of our dear state. This milestone calls for reflection on our journey, appreciation of our sacrifices, and renewed commitment to our collective future,” he stated.

He recalled that on February 3, 1976, the late Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, announced the creation of Bauchi State alongside six others from the defunct North-Eastern State.

“He did not live long to witness the growth of the states he courageously brought into existence, having been assassinated ten days later. On this solemn occasion, we pray that Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest and rewards his courage and sacrifice,” Mohammed added.

The governor noted that Bauchi State’s attainment of 50 years of existence, out of which Gombe State was lated created in 1996, is a profound cause for joy and thanksgiving.

Despite political, economic, and social challenges, he said the state has endured and recorded steady progress, describing its survival and growth over five decades as a remarkable achievement worthy of celebration and reflection.

Governor Mohammed also acknowledged the immense contributions of past military and civilian governors of the State, beginning with Colonel Muhammad Bello Kaliel, the first military governor, and Alhaji Abubakar Tatari Ali, the first democratically elected governor of the State.

He listed other former leaders of the state to include the late General Garba Duba, Major General Muhammad Sani Sami, who later became the Emir of Zuru in Kebbi State, Major General Chris Abutu Garuba, Major General Joshua Madaki, Colonel Abu Ali, Alhaji Dahiru Mohammed, Wing Commander James Yana Kalau, Navy Captain Adisa Raji, Colonel Theophilus Bamigboye, Wing Commander Adamu Mishelia, Alhaji Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, Malam Isa Yuguda, and Barrister Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar.

According to the incumbent governor, each administration contributed in its own way to the growth, stability, and continuity of Bauchi State. “We remain grateful to all of them, living and deceased, and pray that Almighty God rewards their service.”

He said that since its creation, Bauchi State has recorded notable progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, water supply, and security.

The governor highlighted the establishment of schools, colleges, universities, polytechnics, primary healthcare centres, and general hospitals across wards and local government areas, as well as improved road networks and sustained investment in agriculture.

He added that collaborative efforts with security agencies have helped to protect lives and property, thereby providing a foundation for sustained peace and development.

Governor Bala Mohammed stressed that these achievements were made possible through the sacrifices of leaders in the executive, legislature, and judiciary arms of the State, as well as the dedication of civil servants, traditional and religious institutions, professionals, farmers, traders, women, youths, and the private sector.

According to him, “Bauchi State is a product of shared responsibility. While we honour the past, this Golden Jubilee should challenge the present generation to work harder.”

Governor Mohammed noted that Bauchi State is richly endowed with enormous potential, occupying a landmass of 49,549 square kilometres, representing about 5.3% of Nigeria’s total land area.

The state is bordered by Kano and Jigawa States to the North, Taraba and Plateau States to the South, Gombe and Yobe to the East, and Kaduna State to the West, making it a strategic gateway to the North-East and providing opportunities in agriculture, logistics, hospitality, and tourism.

He disclosed that Bauchi State has an estimated population of about 9.5 million people, growing at an annual rate of 3.6 per cent, driven largely by relative peace and increased migration. Over half of the population, he said, is under the age of 15, providing a vast pool of human capital for future economic growth.

Governor Bala Mohammed described agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy, employing about 80 per cent of the workforce.

The state, he said, has an estimated 4.2 million hectares of cultivable land, with only 1.8 million hectares currently under cultivation, and rainfall ranging from 700mm in the north to 1,300mm in the south-west.

Major crops include sorghum, millet, rice, maize, groundnuts, soya beans, cowpea, tomato, onion, cassava, hibiscus, and sesame, with annual agricultural output growing from 1.6 million metric tonnes in 2016 to about 6.4 million metric tonnes in 2021.

He also highlighted the state’s vast water resources, including the Gongola and Jama’are Rivers, the Hadeja-Jama’are River Basin, several fadama areas, and dams such as Gubi, Galala, and Waya, as well as Maladumba Lake, noting that only about 10 per cent of these resources are currently utilised.

In addition, the governor said Bauchi State has enormous livestock potential, with millions of cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry that remain under-harnessed.
He emphasised that the development of agro-food processing, large-scale commercial farming, pasture production, and livestock value chains remained key to unlocking the state’s economic future.