Celebrating Legacy: How Fintiri’s 7 Years Transformed Adamawa Beyond Expectations – Bukar

By Emmanuel Kwada

Seven years ago, on a day filled with anticipation and cautious optimism, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri took the oath of office as the duly elected Governor of Adamawa State.

At the time, many residents harbored high hopes that the new administration would begin to bridge the developmental gap with peer states like Gombe, which had visibly outpaced Adamawa in infrastructure and commercial vibrancy.

Today, as the state reflects on this milestone, it is clear that Governor Fintiri has not only met those expectations but has decisively surpassed them, ushering in an era of unprecedented transformation that has reshaped the landscape and lives of Adamawa’s people.

In an opinion piece marking this significant anniversary, Kissinger Bukar highlights how the Fintiri administration’s deliberate and visionary leadership has delivered tangible progress across every sector.

The governor’s first term was anchored on an ambitious 11-point agenda under the banner “Positive Change Has Come to Adamawa State.” His second term recalibrated focus with an 8-point agenda rooted in the philosophy that “no one is left behind and nothing is left untouched,” ensuring the refreshing “Fresh Air” of development reaches every corner of the state.

One of the most striking symbols of this legacy unfolded during the sixth anniversary celebrations, when Governor Fintiri performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the ultramodern International Conference and Event Centre in Yola.

Valued at ₦18.9 billion and awarded to Messrs Lubell Nigeria Limited, the facility promises to be a game-changer upon completion. It will feature a 1,000-capacity seminar room, a 360-capacity auditorium, 100 guest rooms, syndicate rooms, and other world-class amenities.

This landmark project stands as a flagship among several legacy initiatives, positioning Adamawa as a preferred destination for conferences, meetings, and tourism.

Infrastructure Renaissance: A New Face for Adamawa

Approaching Yola, the state capital, visitors are immediately greeted by a transformed urban landscape that speaks volumes about the administration’s commitment to modern infrastructure.

From the Numan direction, the Malkohi Super Highway with its impressive flyover sets the tone. The Lamido Aliyu Mustapha flyover at the Capital School area has significantly eased traffic congestion, while the flyover at the old Mubi Roundabout welcomes those arriving from Song-Girei. Travelers from Fufore and the Cameroon border through Yola Town encounter the A.A. Lawan Junction flyover.

At the heart of the city, the iconic Adamawa Unity Bridge has replaced the former Police Roundabout, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.

The administration has also delivered a 20.8-kilometer super highway stretching from the Welcome to Yola axis along the Numan road through Rumde-Killa to the Army Barracks Junction, seamlessly integrating with the A.A. Lawan interchange and a seven-span overhead bridge with half-cloverleaf design.

Additional standout projects include the expansion and underpass along Bank Road, alongside numerous adjoining streets in Jimeta and surrounding communities. Remarkably, road rehabilitation and reconstruction have reached virtually all 21 local government areas.

These roads have not only improved access and reduced congestion but have also opened up new areas for residential and commercial development. Yola has rapidly evolved into one of Nigeria’s most modern state capitals, attracting investors, tourists, and hosting major events.

Housing, Commerce, and Urban Order

Addressing the national housing deficit, the Fintiri administration completed the 1,000-unit Fintiri Housing Estate, complete with streetlights and tarred internal roads, providing dignity and shelter for many families.

In the commercial sphere, construction has commenced on a new shopping mall to create a more organized and conducive business environment.

Efforts to restore order at the Jimeta Ultra-modern Market include directives for shade owners to relocate, while the Mubi Market is being moved to a new bypass area. The burnt market in Yola South is undergoing comprehensive redesign and reconstruction, with an official reopening on the horizon.

Youth Development, Health, and Empowerment

Recognizing sports as a unifying force for youth and a driver of revenue and hospitality, the governor has injected substantial additional funding into the Modern Sports Stadium to elevate it to international standards. This will facilitate national and global events while nurturing young talent.

In healthcare, eight new cottage hospitals have been built and others renovated across local governments including Demsa, Dumne, Girei, and Shelleng.

Nurses and midwives received consolidated salaries to match peers in other states, while primary healthcare has been strengthened for better immunization coverage and disease outbreak response. These interventions affirm the principle that health is indeed wealth.

Through the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency (PAWECA), thousands of women and youths across all 21 local government areas have been empowered. The Fintiri Business Wallet Scheme has disbursed ₦50,000 to each beneficiary, with total investments running into billions of naira to spur viable economic activities and promote self-reliance.

Education, Food Security, and Worker Welfare

Education has received transformative attention. The administration provides free education, pays WAEC and NECO fees, constructs and furnishes new schools, and recruits additional teachers, significantly easing the burden on parents.

Brand new secondary schools have been built, including three new science secondary schools—one in each senatorial zone. Three comprehensive technical schools (one per zone, with one dedicated exclusively to girls) are nearing completion, with special emphasis on skills acquisition, science, and technology.

For food security, a dedicated committee has allocated three hectares of land in every local government for cultivation and livestock husbandry by women and youths, aiming to attract investors into agriculture, solid minerals, and tourism. Flooding challenges are being tackled head-on with a 2.9-kilometer storm water drainage project at Saminaka in Yola South.

Civil servants have benefited immensely. The ban on employment was lifted, leading to recruitment across core ministries, the Primary Education Board, and Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Adamawa became one of the first states to implement the ₦70,000 national minimum wage. Retirees have seen commitment through the release of ₦5 billion for state pension arrears and ₦3 billion for local government gratuities.

Media, Transportation, and Inclusive Governance

The administration has revitalized the Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Yola with ₦2.06 billion approved for four AM and FM transmitters, studio remodeling, and further 2025 budget allocations for office upgrades. Similar improvements to signal and power issues at Adamawa Television (ATV) Yola will enhance coverage and restore the station’s glory as a vital tool for public information.

In response to the economic pressures following fuel subsidy removal, Governor Fintiri procured ten made-in-Nigeria buses for strategic routes. These affordable, safe, and convenient options have provided immense relief to farmers, traders, civil servants, students, and other residents.

As Kissinger Bukar aptly concludes, the Fintiri administration’s seven-year journey is a powerful demonstration of its pledge that positive change has indeed come to Adamawa, with no one left behind and nothing left untouched. The speed and quality of project execution continue to impress visitors and residents alike.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and his team deserve commendation for these well-meaning feats in infrastructure delivery and human capital development. Building a peaceful, prosperous Adamawa remains a collective responsibility.

In the governor’s own words, “Let us continue to embrace the spirit of democracy and build a society where justice, freedom and opportunity thrive for all.” The transformation is evident, the legacy enduring, and the future promising.