By Ali Abare
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has cemented his position as a leading voice in subnational governance, a fact emphasized by his prominent participation in three major national and international forums in a single week.
His insights were sought on critical issues of economic reform, development strategy, and subnational competitiveness, showcasing the practical results from Nasarawa State as a model for national progress.
Just this week, Governor Sule was a key panelist at the high-level 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja. The summit, themed “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030,” was opened by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
During a session titled “One Nigeria, Many Markets – Driving Subnational Competitiveness,” Governor Sule stood alongside federal ministers to emphasize the need for reforms that empower states to drive their own economic growth.
He argued that national prosperity depends on creating environments where every state can thrive as a productive contributor through innovation, investment in infrastructure, and public-private partnerships.
Simultaneously, the governor brought Nasarawa’s success stories to a joint session organized by the United Nations World Food Programme and the African Development Bank, held on the sidelines of the same economic summit.
Here, he provided practical examples of his governance philosophy in action, recounting how his administration’s decision to pay WAEC registration fees for all students in public secondary schools propelled the state from 28th to 5th position in the country in academic performance.
In the solid minerals sector, he highlighted a pivotal executive order that banned the export of raw minerals, a policy that has already attracted major investments, including the largest lithium mining and processing facility in Nigeria.
Further cementing his reputation as a technocrat, Governor Sule also participated as a panelist at a World Bank event, “Nigeria Development Update,” which carried the theme “From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home”.
He was specifically introduced to provide the key perspective from the subnational level, demonstrating how national reforms are being implemented and felt at the state level.
This wave of activity in a short span is not an isolated occurrence but part of a consistent pattern of recognition.
His reputation extends beyond Nigeria’s borders, as evidenced by his recent trip to London where he was a speaker and distinguished honoree at the 10th Africa Summit, engaging with global investors and policymakers.
Furthermore, his administration’s policies, such as the waiver of Right of Way charges to boost broadband infrastructure, are cited alongside other progressive states as national best practices.
Through these platforms, Governor Sule effectively evolves from a state leader to a national thought leader.
He consistently uses these opportunities to deliver impactful, unified message: that Nigeria’s economic future depends on unlocking the unique potential of each of its states, and that Nasarawa under his leadership is already demonstrating how this can be successfully achieved through pragmatic, result-oriented governance.
Abare is the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Abdullahi Sule.