As Alhaji Yahaya Bello concluded his eight-year tenure as Governor of Kogi State, he left behind a governance footprint defined by institutional reforms, infrastructural expansion, security consolidation, fiscal discipline, and inclusive leadership. His administration did not merely manage the state, it reengineered its governance architecture and repositioned the Confluence State for sustainable growth.
Below are 100 landmark achievements that collectively define the Yahaya Bello era:
Infrastructure, Roads & Urban Renewal
1. Construction and rehabilitation of major highways across the three senatorial districts.
2. Completion of the Ganaja Flyover, Kogi State’s first major urban flyover.
3. Massive upgrade of township roads in Lokoja metropolis.
4. Expansion of rural feeder roads linking farming communities.
5. Construction of strategic bridges improving intra-state mobility.
6. Rehabilitation of Lugard House (Government House).
7. Modernisation of Lokoja roundabouts and public spaces.
8. Completion of abandoned road projects inherited from past administrations.
9. Expansion of Greater Lokoja Water Supply Scheme.
10. Upgrade of water reticulation systems in major towns.
11. Electrification of underserved rural communities.
12. Construction of drainage systems to control flooding.
13. Urban beautification and streetlight installation in Lokoja.
14. Development of new layouts and access roads.
15. Improved transport corridors linking Kogi to neighbouring states.
Education & Human Capital Development
16. Introduction of the Kogi State Education Strategic Plan (SESP).
17. Allocation of nearly 30% of state budgets to education.
18. Recruitment of close to 4,000 teachers statewide.
19. Training of over 2,000 school administrators and principals.
20. Construction and rehabilitation of over 600 basic education schools.
21. Establishment of GYB Model Science Secondary Schools.
22. Upgrade of classroom infrastructure and learning materials.
23. Introduction of ICT-driven learning initiatives.
24. Expansion of STEM education programmes.
25. Rehabilitation of technical and vocational institutions.
26. Improved teacher welfare and capacity-building schemes.
27. Strengthening of education quality assurance mechanisms.
28. Expansion of tertiary education infrastructure.
29. Completion of abandoned Confluence University projects.
30. Increased school enrolment and retention rates.
Healthcare System Strengthening
31. Construction of a 250-bed Reference Hospital in Okene.
32. Upgrade of Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital.
33. Elevation of Idah General Hospital to Zonal Hospital status.
34. Construction of new general hospitals across the state.
35. Upgrade of hospitals in Gegu, Isanlu, and Kabba.
36. Expansion and revitalisation of Primary Healthcare Centres.
37. Recruitment of over 2,000 health workers.
38. Launch of Bello Health Intervention Programme.
39. Improved maternal and child healthcare services.
40. Statewide immunisation campaigns.
41. Distribution of malaria prevention kits and nets.
42. Emergency response improvements in healthcare delivery.
43. Enhanced medical equipment supply to hospitals.
44. Strengthening of disease surveillance systems.
45. Improved healthcare access in rural communities.
Security, Safety & Peace Building
46. Establishment of the Kogi State Vigilante Service.
47. Strategic collaboration with Nigeria Police and Armed Forces.
48. Hosting of the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard base.
49. Establishment of security checkpoints across flashpoints.
50. Reduction in kidnapping and armed robbery incidents.
51. Improved intelligence gathering and community policing.
52. Enhanced security of highways and waterways.
53. Peace-building initiatives among ethnic groups.
54. Youth engagement as partners in security.
55. National recognition for security performance.
Agriculture & Food Security
56. Distribution of mechanised farming equipment.
57. Establishment of cluster farming settlements.
58. Launch of the Kogi Confluence Rice Mill.
59. Support for cassava processing initiatives.
60. Expansion of fisheries and aquaculture programmes.
61. Provision of farm inputs and seedlings.
62. Training of farmers on modern agricultural practices.
63. Increased food production across the state.
64. Job creation through agribusiness value chains.
65. Improved rural livelihoods through agriculture.
Economic Management & Fiscal Reforms
66. Digitalisation of tax and revenue collection systems.
67. Significant growth in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
68. Elimination of ghost workers through biometric verification.
69. Improved salary payment systems for civil servants.
70. Promotion of fiscal discipline and budgetary control.
71. Transparent publication of financial records.
72. Completion of abandoned legacy projects.
73. Reduction of wasteful government spending.
74. Strengthening of public procurement processes.
75. Improved investor confidence in Kogi State.
Youth, Women & Social Inclusion
76. Deliberate inclusion of youths in governance.
77. Appointment of women into key cabinet positions.
78. Appointment of women as LG Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons across 21 LGAs.
79. Youth empowerment through skills acquisition programmes.
80. Support for youth entrepreneurship and startups.
81. Women-focused economic empowerment initiatives.
82. Capacity-building for women leaders.
83. Social intervention programmes for vulnerable groups.
84. Promotion of gender balance in public service.
85. Youth mobilisation for national development.
Culture, Environment & Social Development
86. Promotion of peace and unity across ethnic lines.
87. Preservation of Kogi’s cultural heritage.
88. Support for traditional institutions.
89. Promotion of cultural festivals and tourism.
90. Strengthening of community development initiatives.
91. Improved waste management systems.
92. Environmental sanitation and cleanliness campaigns.
93. Climate resilience awareness initiatives.
94. Community engagement in governance.
95. Strengthened relationship between government and citizens.
Awards, Recognition & Legacy
96. Named “Governor of the Year” by Global Excellence Awards (2023).
97. National commendation for fiscal transparency.
98. Recognition for security innovation.
99. Recognition for inclusive governance.
100. Establishment of a governance legacy anchored on reform, stability, and development.
Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s eight-year stewardship redefined governance in Kogi State. His administration combined infrastructural ambition with institutional reform, security consciousness with inclusiveness, and fiscal prudence with social investment. The cumulative impact of these 100 landmark achievements positions his tenure as one of the most consequential in the political history of the Confluence State.
– Danfulani Lukman Ohinoyi writes from Okene.
