BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN GOVERNANCE AND THE PEOPLE: GOVERNOR UMARU BAGO’S ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY

If there is one defining trait of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, it is his relatability with all and sundry, a quality he nurtured long before becoming Governor. For a leader who understands his mandate and is determined to drive development, engagements take place at different levels: international, national, grassroots, and beyond.

On international engagement, Niger State is steadily reclaiming its identity as a prime investment destination in Nigeria, moving beyond its hydro power reputation. From North and South America to Europe, Asia, and other continents, the State is increasingly attracting investors, positioning itself as a hub for global partnerships and sustainable economic growth.

On national engagement, the Governor has built strong ties with the Federal Government and ensured Niger’s active visibility. These efforts have yielded dividends. On March 11, 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Niger state to commission the remodeled Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, and to flag off agricultural mechanisation for food security. The Vice President and the First Lady of the FRN have also visited twice, respectively, extending donations and support to the people of the State.

For grassroots engagement, the Governor ensures that traditional institutions are involved in decision-making, while constant consultations with security chiefs help sustain peace. His policies remain deliberately people-centric, designed to address the peculiar needs of citizens across local communities in Niger State.

Through religious engagement, Governor Bago has demonstrated inclusivity in action, preaching tolerance, supporting mosques and churches, attending youth concerts, and donating generously across faiths. At his inauguration thanksgiving in Minna, he affirmed: “Never again will religion be used as a subterfuge to cover our weakness.”

Under political and sectoral engagement, the Governor consistently engages party leaders at the Federal, State, and Local levels. Through Senatorial Stakeholders’ Meetings, he has brought governance closer to the people by taking the office of the Governor right to the footstep of the citizens, boosting local commerce and the economy. He also interacts with stakeholders in education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, labour, and student leadership, ensuring their concerns directly shape government policies.

Between November 2024 and January 2025, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago personally toured all 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State, inspecting projects, meeting community leaders, and addressing local demands. Some issues were solved on the spot, while others were integrated into the next budget. Mr. Governor ferried his vehicles across the river to reach remote communities, a rare act that left residents deeply impressed.

Governor Bago is highly accessible and approachable. He attends weddings, burials, and community/communal celebrations, and he makes it a point to celebrate Nigerlites excelling in various professions, using their stories as motivation for others.

This is the first time Nigerlites are experiencing a Governor who consistently visits their domains, listens to them, and brings government to their doorsteps. His frequent engagements, local, national, and international, are not frivolous but deliberate, strategic, and already yielding results. This is only the beginning of a GREATER NIGER.

Sai BAGO… Towards a sustainable for all.

Oluwatosin Fredrick Ogunkuade
Documentation Unit, Office of the Governor, Niger State
documentation@bago.ng
Minna | 08-09-2025