UN deputy chief applauds Dauda Lawal’s reforms in Zamfara development launch

Zamfara development blueprint UN visit sees UN Deputy Chief praise Governor Dauda Lawal’s reforms and pledge technical support for development plan

The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, has commended Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, for ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the state, during a high-level visit to Gusau where a new development blueprint was formally unveiled.

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Zamfara development blueprint UN visit took place on Thursday at the Government House, where closed-door discussions were held before a joint appearance by both officials, alongside a tour of selected infrastructure projects.

Amina Mohammed praised what she described as remarkable progress in improving governance structures, opening up the state to investment, and strengthening administrative systems through reforms such as digitalised revenue collection and civil service restructuring.

She noted that the changes signalled a shift toward stability and sustainable development in a state that has faced years of insecurity, economic strain and limited access for international development partners.

Zamfara development plan attracts UN visit marked the most significant engagement by a senior United Nations official in the North-West state in nearly a decade, underscoring renewed international attention on its reform agenda.

During the visit, Governor Dauda Lawal presented a 97-page document titled the Zamfara State Development Plan 2024 to 2028, also referred to as the “Zamfara Rising” blueprint.

The plan is structured around four key pillars: security and rule of law, economic revival through agriculture and mining reforms, human capital development focusing on education and healthcare, and infrastructure expansion with emphasis on rural connectivity and digital access.

Lawal described the document as a social contract with residents and an open invitation for global partnerships, stressing that Zamfara has transitioned from survival-focused governance to a development-driven administration.

Zamfara’s development blueprint UN visit also featured an announcement that the United Nations would deploy a technical team to Gusau within 30 days to align the state’s plan with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Nigeria.

UN Deputy Secretary-General further hinted at a potential international donors’ conference in 2026 that could attract funding from global institutions including the World Bank, African Development Bank and the European Union.

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While acknowledging ongoing security challenges in some rural areas, both sides expressed cautious optimism that sustained reforms and international collaboration could accelerate development outcomes in the state.

Mariam Balogun