When Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (Kaura) took the reins of Bauchi State in May 2019, expectations were high. As a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a seasoned legislator, many saw in him a leader with the national experience and technocratic finesse needed to pull Bauchi out of decades of developmental inertia. Six years later, the verdict from both critics and citizens is strikingly clear: Bala Mohammed has not only delivered but ihas laid foundations for a modern Bauchi.
Upon assumption of office, Governor Mohammed identified education as a critical sector that demanded immediate attention. Bauchi, previously ranked among states with the highest number of out-of-school children, has made significant strides under his leadership.
His administration renovated and built over 5,000 classrooms across the 20 local government areas. In rural communities where children once studied under trees, fully equipped schools now stand. He also recruited thousands of teachers, introduced digital attendance systems, reduced absenteeism from 53% to 10% – and sponsored the examination fees of more than 14,000 students sitting for WAEC and NECO.
In a bid to foster inclusive education, Mohammed launched nomadic vocational programs targeting Fulani herders and literacy campaigns aimed at reintegrating out-of-school children. These efforts saw the out-of-school population drop from over 1.2 million to just above 500,000 in 2024.
The healthcare infrastructure inherited in 2019 was dilapidated and grossly inadequate. Governor Mohammed responded with a multi-pronged healthcare strategy. His administration has constructed or rehabilitated over 204 primary health centres and upgraded general hospitals in every senatorial zone.
Notably, he established a molecular laboratory in Bauchi to test for infectious diseases, a move that proved pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic. 24-hour electricity was restored in public hospitals, and six new ambulances were commissioned to improve emergency response. His government also repealed outdated health laws, replacing them with the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Board Act to streamline service delivery.
Today, Bauchi is ranked among the top five states in Nigeria in terms of rural healthcare coverage.
From city flyovers to feeder roads in remote villages, Bala Mohammed’s infrastructural agenda has reshaped the physical landscape of Bauchi State.
Over 300 kilometers of roads have been constructed, including the dualization of Kano Road, the construction of strategic flyovers at Wunti Market and Central Market, and extensive drainage works as part of the Bauchi Urban Renewal Project. His rural infrastructure drives connected farming communities in Tafawa Balewa, Alkaleri, and Itas-Gadau to urban markets, unlocking trade potential and reducing travel time by over 60% in some areas. These projects not only beautified the capital but also stimulated job creation across sectors.
Under the Green Bauchi Initiative, the Mohammed administration transformed the agricultural sector into an engine for food security and youth employment. His government produced and distributed over 8,000 metric tons of subsidized fertilizer annually to more than 10,000 farmers.
Additionally, over 1,000 farmers were trained in smart agricultural practices, while 500 youths were engaged in modern livestock management programs. Vaccination campaigns also reached over 800,000 livestock, bolstering Bauchis standing as a regional hub for cattle farming.
Amid growing security concerns nationwide, Bauchi has remained relatively stable – a testament to the administration’s proactive measures. Governor Mohammed provided over 50 Hilux patrol vans and motorbikes to security agencies and supported the formation of vigilante groups in collaboration with traditional institutions.
In parallel, the government launched youth empowerment schemes, distributing commercial motorcycles, tricycles, and mini-buses, particularly to unemployed graduates. These programs have helped reduce youth restiveness and urban crime.
Governor Mohammed didn’t just build roads – he built institutions. In a landmark governance reform drive, he passed several executive bills establishing new agencies such as:
* The Bauchi State Rural Access Road Authority
* The Farmers/Herders Board to resolve recurring clashes
* The State Primary Healthcare Board for better health service coordination
* Education Access Law to guarantee enrollment for all school-age children
These laws, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aim to institutionalize reforms beyond his tenure.
Despite these triumphs, the journey has not been without turbulence. Internally, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faced fractures. Bala Mohammed, once a leading critic of PDPs interim leadership, surprised political observers by reversing his stance in 2024 to support Umar Damagum as Acting National Chairman.
This shift earned him both praise for party loyalty and criticism for inconsistency. Moreover, clashes with other PDP heavyweights like Nyesom Wike have spotlighted the deep ideological rifts within the party. Yet, his ability to navigate these storms while keeping Bauchi stable speaks volumes of his political maturity.
At 66, with experience spanning journalism, the Senate, federal executive leadership, and now two terms as governor, Bala Mohammed is increasingly seen as presidential material. His developmental record in Bauchi and his moderate, pan-Nigerian political stance position him as a potential unifier in a polarized national landscape.
Sources close to his camp suggest that he may be eyeing a national role post-2027possibly as a PDP flagbearer or coalition builder in the search for a more inclusive national leadership. Governor Bala Mohammeds six-year record reads like a blueprint for transformational leadership in subnational governance. He inherited a state at the bottom of nearly every index and elevated it to one of Nigerias’ most improved in education, infrastructure, and healthcare.
As he enters the twilight of his second term, Bauchi residents and political watchers alike are asking not just what more he can do for the state but what role he might yet play on the national stage.