Governor Sule: Honour For Outstanding Performer

By John Mamman

Thursday, the 9th of October 2025 , a day that will linger warmly in the hearts of the people of Nasarawa State.

It was the day their Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, once again stood tall on the national stage — honoured with an Award of Excellence in Education by the Daily Independent Newspaper during its Platinum Jubilee celebration at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre in Lagos.

Now, this was not just another plaque on the shelf. No — it was a recognition earned, through years of deliberate, people-driven leadership and a passion for education that runs deep.

From day one, Governor Sule made it clear — education would be his top priority. And he didn’t just talk about it, he walked the talk.

He raised the education budget beyond UNESCO’s 25% benchmark — first to 26, then 31, and later 36 percent. That’s commitment, not coincidence.

He revived the scholarship scheme for students in tertiary institutions, cleared backlogs dating as far back as 2016, and recently approved over N592 million in bursary payments for more than 16,000 students — the highest in Nasarawa’s history.

And that’s not all. Over 150 students from the state are currently studying abroad, sponsored by the state government — a testament to his belief that talent, not background, should define a child’s future.

It is a belief shaped by his own story. In his words: “I came from a small village in Akwanga. I wouldn’t have had the chance to study in Indiana University , United States if not for a scholarship.”

That humility, that sense of giving back, drives every decision he makes.

From paying NECO fees for all final-year students — which has lifted Nasarawa’s ranking to 5th nationally — to rewarding honesty in government, like when he gifted a plot of land to the Scholarship Board Executive Secretary who returned N122 million excess funds to the state treasury.

Governor Sule’s heart also beats for the girl child.

Through the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, over 14,000 adolescent girls now receive N40,000 each, every term — along with teaching and learning materials as well as sanitary pads  to keep them in school and off the streets. His message is clear: no girl should have her future cut short by poverty or early marriage.

And the results speak volumes.

Tertiary institutions across the state now enjoy stability thanks to a merit-based appointment system that puts competence above politics.

It is no surprise that Nasarawa is now one of 10 states selected by the National Information Technology Development Agency to host a Digital Learning Centre — a forward-looking project already completed in Lafia.

As many leaders slow down towards the end of their tenure, Governor Sule is speeding up. He has set up a results-based needs assessment team to reimagine tertiary education across the state — proving that for him, the journey of transformation is far from over.

And in his characteristic humility, the Governor dedicated the award to his team — the State Executive Council — whose support, he says, has turned vision into reality and impact into legacy.

Dr. John Mamman is the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Nasarawa State.