I’ve often wondered how I’d answer the question: What did Yahaya Bello do for the good people of Kogi State during his eight years as governor?
The truth? I didn’t need to think too hard. The answers are so glaring, even the blind can feel them.
Allow me to tell you about the man Yahaya Adoza Bello, the White Lion of Kogi State. No allow me to say it as it should be: The White Lion of Africa.
Born on June 18, 1975, in Okene, Bello earned an MBA from Ahmadu Bello University. He began his career in 2001 with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, where he rose to the rank of Assistant Chief Accountant. He later ventured into private business, making strategic investments across oil and gas, banking, transport, agriculture, and real estate.
A philanthropist long before politics, he funded three orphanages and supported the education of countless young Nigerians. This is all verifiable in the public domain.
The Rise of a Young Governor
In 2015, following the unexpected death of Prince Abubakar Audu, Bello emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and at 40, became Nigeria’s youngest serving governor.
He hit the ground running with his “New Direction” agenda a bold vision focused on civil service reform, infrastructure, health, education, security, agriculture, and youth empowerment.
Reforming Governance
One of his first steps was sanitizing the civil service. A thorough audit exposed and removed ghost workers. Salaries were paid like clockwork between the 24th and 27th of each month and the national minimum wage was fully implemented.
He also launched an online portal for public finance monitoring, a pioneering move in government transparency that earned him national recognition.
Health: Building Systems, Saving Lives
Under Bello’s leadership, Kogi witnessed an unprecedented healthcare overhaul. From constructing the Reference Hospital in Okene to upgrading the Lokoja Specialist Hospital and revamping 239 primary healthcare centers, the state saw tangible change.
He launched Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, enrolling over 31,000 vulnerable citizens. Programs like “Health Care Plus” and the Bello Health Intervention delivered free maternal care, surgeries, drugs, and public health support. The state also equipped a molecular lab, disease control centers, and distributed over 2.2 million insecticide-treated nets.
Education: A Legacy of Opportunity
Bello’s government allocated nearly 30% of the state budget to education, exceeding UNESCO’s benchmark. His administration convened a 2018 education summit, passed the Kogi Education Law 2020, and launched a 10-year education plan.
He recruited nearly 4,000 teachers in 2023, trained over 3,500 school managers, and cut the number of out of school children from over 550,000 to just under 87,000 by 2019.
Classroom blocks were renovated, 1,800 new ones were built, model science schools were established, and WAEC/NECO/JAMB fees were paid for students.
In tertiary education, he founded the Confluence University of Science and Technology, stabilized staff salaries across institutions, and oversaw the full accreditation of all programs at Prince Abubakar Audu University.
Do I need to say more?
Agriculture: From Green Fields to Food Security
Governor Bello transformed Kogi into Nigeria’s food basket. His government cleared 3,000 hectares for rice and 5,000 hectares for cassava, distributed 375 tractors and 1,500 tillers, and constructed the Confluence Rice Mill in Ejiba processing 36 million kg annually and creating over 2,000 jobs.
From riverbank rice cultivation to subsidized inputs and micro-loans for farmers, his policies empowered rural communities.
Infrastructure: Building the Future
Under Bello, Kogi witnessed an infrastructure revolution. Projects like the Ganaja Junction Flyover, Ejule Idah road, Kabba and Ankpa township roads, and many others transformed the state’s landscape.
He partnered with NEWMAP for erosion control and constructed civic landmarks like the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre and an upgraded Lugard House.
Security and Gender Inclusiveness: Courage and Compassion
Bello took security head on. He fought robbery, kidnapping, and communal violence fiercely, earning the Inspector General of Police Award for Excellence in security governance.
But perhaps his most progressive legacy was in gender inclusiveness. Over 35% of key roles in his administration were held by women and youth. International organizations such as NCWS, UN Women, and the AU ECOSOC recognized his exceptional commitment. He was named a He-For-She Ambassador, a beacon in a country still plagued by gender disparity.
As the world continues its march toward gender equality, Yahaya Bello stood tall as a light-bearer in the darkness. His appointments and policies showed that a woman’s place is not just in the home it’s in the room where decisions are made.
Political Leadership and Legacy
As APC Treasurer and leader of the Youth, Women, and Persons Living With Disabilities Mobilisation Committee, Bello played a major role in reshaping the party’s grassroots outreach and strengthening its national hold.
He won multiple awards for his work in governance, security, and gender equity. He left behind a legacy of institutional reform, sustainable education and healthcare systems, enhanced food security, and solid infrastructure.
The King of Boys
Let me not forget Yahaya Bello is also The King of Boys. For the first time in Kogi State’s history, boys became men, dreamers saw reality, and a child of nobody became somebody.
He changed the norm.
So, if after all of this, you still cannot applaud the man if you cannot leave sentiments behind to recognize Governor Yahaya Bello’s work—then perhaps your case needs to be restudied.
As he clocks 50, I say this with conviction: The man Yahaya Bello left an indelible mark on Kogi State and Africa took note.
– Deborah Agbonika writes from Lokoja.
