Focus On People, Not Just Infrastructure – Son Tells Bauchi Gov

The eldest son of Bauchi State governor, Engr Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed, has urged his father to adopt a human-capital-focused policy framework aimed at empowering youths and improving livelihoods across the state.

Shamsudeen made the call in an open letter addressed to his father titled, “Bridging the Gap: A Call for a Human-Capital Focused Policy for Bauchi State,” which he posted yesterday on his verified facebook page.

Shamsu also urged his father to consider paying the accumulated gratuities owed to pensioners in the state.

In the letter, he acknowledged the achievements of his father’s administration, particularly in infrastructure development, but expressed concern over what he described as a growing disconnect between those accomplishments and the economic realities facing many residents, especially young people.

According to him, there is increasing frustration among youths who constitute a significant portion of the governor’s political support base.

He argued that while roads, schools and hospitals are essential for development, they do not directly address pressing economic challenges such as unemployment, poverty and the non-payment of civil service gratuities.

“As a son of the soil, an engineer and a stakeholder deeply invested in the progress of our state, I write this open letter with a spirit of loyalty and profound concern,” Shamsudeen stated.

“Over the last seven years, your administration has undeniably transformed the landscape of Bauchi State. The infrastructure projects, our roads, schools, and hospitals, stand as a testament to your vision and legacy. These are milestones that future generations will celebrate.”

The holder of the traditional title of Dangaladiman Duguri noted, however, that as the state approaches the 2027 political season, attention must be given to the economic concerns of citizens.

“There is a growing, palpable frustration among the youth, the very demographic that forms the bedrock of your political support. The prevailing sentiment on the ground is that while infrastructure is vital, it does not alleviate the immediate economic hardship, the struggle for daily sustenance, or the pain of families still awaiting civil service gratuities,” he said.

Shamsudeen further warned of rising agitation among young people, stressing that they are seeking opportunities rather than charity.

“The youth are not merely asking for handouts; they are asking for a stake in the prosperity of their state. They feel that the strides made thus far, while impressive, have not reached them in a way that impacts their livelihoods.”

To address the situation, he proposed what he described as a “Social-Economic Empowerment Pivot,” focused on productive inclusion and youth empowerment.

“I humbly suggest that the next phase of your administration be defined by a Social-Economic Empowerment Pivot. We should explore global models of productive inclusion, mechanisms that provide seed funding for youth-led startups, capital grants for small-scale entrepreneurs, and policy-driven mandates requiring contractors to prioritise local youth employment,” he wrote.

“Let us shift the focus from solely building the state to investing in the citizens,” Shamsu added.

Shamsudeen urged the governor to ensure that his legacy extends beyond physical infrastructure to include lasting economic opportunities for the people of Bauchi State.

“Your Excellency, your legacy is secure in steel and concrete. I pray that your lasting legacy becomes the economic resilience of the Bauchi youth,” Shamsuddeen told his father.