How the “Fresh Air” administration laid the foundation for growth and development
When Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri was sworn in as Governor on May 29, 2019, Adamawa faced aging infrastructure, out-of-school children, dilapidated health facilities, and a capital city lagging behind its peers. Seven years later, the story is different. From Yola to Madagali, from Toungo to Shelleng, from Lamurde to Maiha, the state now bears the visible imprint of what analysts call an “urban renaissance.”
Infrastructure: Connecting Adamawa for Growth
Infrastructure has been the backbone of the administration’s development agenda.
Roads & Flyovers: Major projects include the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Flyover, the Galadima Aminu Way with an underpass, and great interchange, over 340km of roads constructed across the 21 LGAs through The Rural Access Projects like the 11.2km Plum Road in Michika, 14km Sukur Road in Madagali, and 17.5km Mubi–Garta–Kamale Road have opened rural areas for trade and mobility.
Housing: A 1,000-unit housing estate in Malkohi, Yola South, was completed for civil servants and low-income earners.
Energy & Water: Investments in electricity and water supply for the Fintiri 1000 Housing Units, Toungo electrification and the upgrade of the Jada water scheme have improved living conditions.
Education: Building Human Capital
Education reforms have focused on access, quality, and opportunity.
Model & Mega Schools: 21 Model Basic Education Schools—one per LGA—were flagged off alongside three Mega Senior Science Secondary Schools in Lamurde, Gulak, and Hong.
Scholarships: 110 students were sent to Turkey for Engineering, Medicine, and Sciences, with another batch scheduled for Australia and Canada, after the return of the first batch that went to India.
Basic Education: The administration committed to the World Bank’s BESDA programme and launched the HOPE Education Program to boost enrollment and retention.
Teacher & Infrastructure Support: Modern furniture for over 200 schools, teacher recruitment, and renovations of secondary schools and technical colleges have improved learning environments.
Healthcare: Expanding Access and Quality
Health investments have targeted both urban and rural gaps:
Primary Healthcare: Over 100 new PHCs were built across the 21 LGAs.
Hospital Upgrades: Numan General Hospital, Specialist Hospital Yola, Mubi and Ganye General Hospitals received new theatres, maternity complexes, and laboratories.
Specialized Care: Free kidney treatment programs and a modern medical laboratory at Yola’s Specialist Hospital were introduced.
Workforce: Over 2,000 health professionals were recruited and trained.
Economic Empowerment & Poverty Reduction
The administration has prioritized moving Adamawa from a civil-service-dependent economy to one driven by MSMEs.
Fintiri Business Wallet: Hundreds of thousands
have received ₦50,000 grants, with more planned before the end of the year.
Women & Youth: Over 20,000 youths and women have been trained in skills acquisition and entrepreneurship through PAWECA.
Agriculture: Fertilizers, improved seedlings, tractors, and rural roads have boosted productivity and farm-to-market access.
Governance & Fiscal Discipline
The administration has emphasized transparency and fiscal health:
2026 Budget: A ₦583.3bn budget was presented, with 64.07% allocated to capital expenditure—₦120bn for works, ₦40bn for education, and ₦31.9bn for health.
Fiscal Standing: Adamawa ranks among the top five in fiscal transparency nationally, placed 4th on the Ease of Doing Business index, cut debt by over half, and holds a BBB+ investment rating.
Civil Service: A one-month salary bonus was given to civil servants in 2025 as an end-of-year gift, while salaries are not delayed.
Social & Cultural Reforms
Long-standing structural issues have also been addressed:
Traditional Institutions: The creation of new chiefdoms and emirates ended 150 years of traditional conflict and restored historical identity.
Security & Youth Engagement: Youth empowerment programs have helped improve security by engaging young people in productive ventures.
The Foundation for Growth:
What distinguishes Fintiri’s 7 years is the focus on systems, not just projects. Roads connect markets. Schools train teachers. Health centers retain staff. Empowerment programs build entrepreneurs. As Fintiri said in 2020, “for the generation yet unborn, there must be evidence.”
The 2026 budget, tagged the “Budget of Sustainable Growth and Renewal,” is designed to consolidate these gains. With projects ongoing and new ones planned, Adamawa is positioning itself as a model for inclusive development in the North-East.
For many residents, the change is more than physical. “Adamawa has changed drastically. We used to watch other states grow while we lagged behind, but today, we can stand tall and speak proudly of our state,” said NUJ leadership at a forum in Yola.
Seven years in, the foundation is laid. The task now is to build on it—faster, broader, and deeper—so that every child, farmer, and entrepreneur in Adamawa can say the future is truly now.
Humwashi Wonosikou is Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.