Aliyu: The worker-friendly governor

By Karen Ibrahim

NO matter how ambitious or well-designed Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s 9-Point Smart Agenda may be, without an effective and motivated civil service, those policies and programmes would not be effectively implemented. So while the government has conceived great ideas, it is the public service that has the responsibility of transforming the vision into reality. That is why the strength of any government is measured not only by the roads, healthcare facilities and schools constructed or the projects it commissions, but by the value it also places on the people who keep the machinery of governance running every day. Clearly, public servants remain the heartbeat and engine room of public administration, carrying the burden of policy implementation and ensuring that government promises are translated into meaningful action for ordinary citizens. Recognising this truth, Governor Aliyu has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the welfare, motivation and dignity of workers across the state.

In the last three (3) years, Governor Aliyu has distinguished himself as a leader who understands this plain fact with clarity and compassion. His administration has consistently demonstrated that when workers are treated with dignity, their welfare benefits are addressed and they are motivated through responsive leadership, the entire state benefits from their increased productivity, and timely service delivery. It is this commitment to improved workers’ welfare that has earned Governor Aliyu the reputation of a worker-friendly Governor and positioned him as a leader deserving of a second term in office. One of the clearest demonstrations of this commitment is the unprecedented recruitment of 3,000 new workers into the civil service. Rather than allowing ministries and agencies to continue operating with inadequate manpower, his administration opened the doors of opportunity to thousands of qualified citizens. This decision has not only reduced unemployment but also injected fresh energy into the public service. Across ministries, schools, hospitals and government departments, the impact of these fresh recruits is already evident in improved efficiency and service delivery.

It is important to stress that the governor embarked on the fresh recruitment drive at a time when many states across the country are grappling with severe financial constraints and struggling to meet even their basic obligations to workers, including the regular payment of salaries and allowances. The decision therefore underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening the workforce and improving service delivery despite the prevailing economic challenges. For many families, the appointments restored hope, especially for the households that their children had endured years of unemployment. Young graduates who had almost abandoned their dreams of meaningful careers found fresh purpose. The governor understood that governance is ultimately about people and that empowering citizens through employment creates a stronger economy and a more stable society. By investing in the workforce, he is investing directly in the future of the state.

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The recruitment process was also conducted in a transparent and merit-based manner to ensure fairness and public confidence. Clear guidelines were provided – open advertisement of vacancies, standardized screening procedures, and equal opportunity for all qualified applicants. This approach guaranteed that only the competent candidates were selected based strictly on merit and the established criteria. Beyond recruitment, the administration has also confronted one of the most painful issues that retired civil servants faced: the backlog of unpaid gratuities that had accumulated during the eight years of Aminu Tambuwal’s tenure. For many pensioners, retirement became a season of hardship rather than rest because their benefits, which they had laboured for throughout their years of service, remained unpaid. The governor chose not to overlook their plight. Demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility, his administration resolved after verification to address the substantial N14 billion gratuity backlog inherited from the previous administration.

What makes Governor Aliyu’s intervention even more significant is the structured approach that he adopted in clearing the backlog. With a steady allocation of over N800 million every month, the administration showed not just a consistency in addressing the challenge, but its empathy for those who gave their youth to the state. For the Aliyu administration, it is a deliberate policy backed by financial commitment. The governor chose not to overlook their plight. Demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility, his administration resolved to address the substantial N14 billion gratuity backlog inherited from previous years. In addition, he has instituted a monthly financial provision dedicated to settling gratuities for civil servants retiring during his tenure, ensuring that obligations are met in a more consistent and sustainable manner. As a result, retired workers who once felt abandoned are now experiencing renewed relief and reassurance. Many are now able to attend to their medical needs, support their families, and live with the dignity they deserve after years of dedicated service to the state.

The governor’s decision has no doubt strengthened the trust between the government and workers. The achievements recorded by Governor Aliyu have been attributed to the industrial harmony. More importantly, the civil servants also understand that they are not merely tools within the system but that they are valued partners in the development of the state. Pensioners are happy that their years of sacrifice are recognised and appreciated. The governor’s worker-centred philosophy is also reflected in his decision to restore monthly imprests to ministries, departments and agencies after the previous administration had stopped it. The impact of this policy on governance and productivity cannot be overstated. The suspension of imprests in the past had created operational difficulties for many government offices. Routine activities became slow, administrative processes suffered delays and workers often struggled to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

By restoring monthly imprests, the Governor revived efficiency within the public sector. Government offices regained the ability to handle essential tasks promptly, while workers could perform their duties without the needless frustration that the stoppage caused. The decision reflects an understanding of administration and an appreciation of the realities faced by the civil servants. Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of the administration’s relationship with workers is the introduction of welfare initiatives designed to ease the economic burden on civil servants. At a time when the rising cost of living continues to put pressure on families, the Governor introduced a 35 per cent subsidy on motorcycles for workers. This initiative was a practical intervention aimed at improving transportation and reducing financial stress for thousands of employees. For many workers, owning a motorcycle means easier movement to and from work, greater punctuality and reduced transportation costs. In practical terms, it translates into improved living standards and greater economic stability.

The initiative also shows a Governor who understands the daily realities of ordinary workers, and who is not distant from their struggles. Governor Aliyu has consistently shown empathy and a willingness to provide much-needed support because he relates with the people. This same spirit is visible in the administration’s tradition of paying salaries ahead of major religious festivals. For workers, festive seasons often come with increased financial responsibilities, from feeding families to travelling and supporting loved ones. By ensuring early payments of salary during such periods, the Governor has repeatedly demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of workers and their families. These timely payments continue to bring relief and joy to countless homes, reinforcing the image of a leader who genuinely cares about the wellbeing of his people. Taken together, these achievements reveal a Governor whose approach to governance is rooted in responsibility and foresight. He has not treated workers as mere statistics or political talking points but as the driving force behind development.

Through recruitment, the settlement of gratuity arrears, the restoration of imprests and practical welfare initiatives, his administration has restored confidence within the civil service and renewed hope among citizens. As the state looks towards the future, the importance of sustaining this worker-friendly leadership cannot be overemphasised. Development is only possible when the people entrusted with implementing government policies are motivated, supported and respected. Governor Aliyu has already laid a solid foundation for a stronger and more responsive public service. His record speaks not only of promises made but of promises fulfilled. In every sense, he has proven that leadership is most effective when it places people at the centre of governance. The journey towards greater progress is still unfolding, but the direction is clear. Workers have found in this Governor a dependable ally, pensioners have found a compassionate solver of problems and citizens have found a leader committed to building a government that works for everyone. That is why many now believe that re-electing him for a second term is an investment in continuity, stability and a future where the dignity of labour would remain a priority.

•Ibrahim writes in from Sokoto