By Tgnews Reporter
As the countdown to the 2027 Adamawa State governorship election begins, Dr. Salihu Bakari Girei has positioned himself as a serious contender with a comprehensive 10-point blueprint aimed at turning the state’s vast potential into tangible prosperity.
With a youthful population, rich arable land and untapped mineral resources, Adamawa has long been seen as a sleeping giant.
Yet persistent challenges — insecurity, unemployment, decaying infrastructure and gaps in education and healthcare — have held it back. Dr. Bakari, a reform-minded technocrat, says his Adamawa Transformation Mission will change that narrative.
Dr. Bakari brings decades of proven public service experience. He served as Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB), Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and Higher Education, and currently holds the position of Director of Research and Development/Centres of Excellence at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
At the heart of his vision is a structured 10-point agenda covering education, health, agriculture, rural development, youth empowerment, peace and security, civil service reform, sports development, value addition to solid minerals, and strengthening traditional institutions.
The plan balances urgent short-term deliverables with long-term structural reforms designed to reposition Adamawa as a competitive, knowledge-driven and economically diversified state by 2031.
“ Our dedicated civil servants deserve a decent and enviable livelihood, both during and after their retirement from service,” Dr. Bakari stated.
“If elected Governor, my call to service will be to pursue this 10-point agenda of consolidating past achievements while aligning programmes with global technological advancement for high impact on citizens. A responsible and responsive government can change the narrative and ensure prosperity.”
Education tops Dr. Bakari’s priorities. Drawing from his SUBEB record — where he renovated and built over 5,000 classrooms, established special primary schools and introduced teacher motivation schemes — he promises massive rehabilitation of dilapidated schools, provision of modern facilities and integration of Almajiri children into formal education.
He also plans to revitalise Adamawa State Polytechnic and the State University with new faculties in engineering, medicine and law, alongside 24-hour internet access and reliable utilities for students.
Agriculture, which employs over 70% of the population, will receive a major boost through mechanisation, irrigation, quality inputs and agro-processing industries to turn Adamawa into the food basket of Northern Nigeria.
The state’s solid minerals — gold, diamond, uranium and others — will be processed locally to generate jobs and attract investment, creating a diversified economy beyond farming.
Rural development will focus on roads, electricity, potable water and community facilities to stem rural-urban migration and ensure equitable growth.
Healthcare reforms include maternity clinics in every ward, upgraded hospitals, free care for children under five, pregnant women and the elderly, and the establishment of a teaching hospital to support a future College of Medicine.
For the youth, who constitute over 60% of the population, Dr. Bakari proposes the Adamawa Youth Enterprise Fund (AYEF) offering grants and low-interest loans, plus skills centres in ICT, renewable energy, agribusiness and creative industries.
Security will be strengthened through better support for agencies, community policing and intelligence networks to create a safer environment for investment and daily life.
Civil service reform will emphasise prompt salary payments, performance-based promotions, digital governance and welfare packages for retirees.
Traditional institutions will be empowered with renovated palaces and greater roles in governance, while sports will be developed with new stadia in Mubi, Michika and Ganye to harness youth talent and promote unity.
Dr. Bakari’s vision has already drawn endorsements from former education secretaries, commissioners, women leaders and indigenous groups across ethnic and political lines.
As Adamawa prepares for what many describe as a defining election, Dr. Salihu Bakari Girei’s 10-point agenda is being viewed by supporters as a clear, actionable roadmap that blends experience, integrity and bold execution — offering citizens a genuine choice between continuity and transformation.
Join our Telegram group and receive breaking and trending news updates directly on your phone.
Join for News Updates ✕
