By Suleman Ahmad Tudu
On October 1, 1996, Zamfara State was carved out of the old Sokoto State by the then Military Head of State, late General Sani Abacha in a very rigorous and competitive process.
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Out of 72 requests for new states, 2,369 for local governments, and 286 for boundary adjustments, Zamfara—alongside five other states, one each from six geopolitical zones—was created. This development was wildly celebrated across the affected states. After years of agitation, the people finally had their own identity, their own capital and full control of their own destiny.
However, over those three decades, Zamfara’s destiny travelled only on roads when that of our peers was cruising the skies. Zamfara was the only state in the entire North-West, and the only one among the six states created in 1996, without an airport or even an airstrip.
To reach Zamfara, no matter your social class, you had to endure a lot of turmoil. You had to endure the seven-hour drive from Abuja through deplorable roads and the anxiety that came with every journey along that vulnerable route.
However, that narrative has now changed. Three decades after its creation, the fledgling Zamfara has finally grown wings and begun to fly, all thanks to the visionary leadership of Governor Dauda Lawal, the state’s 5th civilian Governor and the 6th overall.
In the midst of fighting insecurity and revamping education, healthcare and other critical sectors, Governor Lawal mobilized resources, summoned courage and demonstrated political will to build the Gusau International Airport from scratch in less than three years. And he achieved this without neglecting any critical sector or increasing the state’s debt profile.
Today, Zamfara has earned the prestige of boasting an international-standard cargo and passenger airport, with commercial operations just commenced on the 1st of October 2026, the day of the state’s 30th anniversary. I couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate an anniversary!
But let me digress briefly to make one thing clear. By celebrating this achievement, I am not trying in any way to gloat over ordinary citizens like myself who may not have the privilege of affording air tickets. As a matter of fact, the last time I “travelled by air” was from a mango tree down to the ground when I was around 12 years old. But I will not tell you how I landed! Lol.
On a more serious note, whether you can afford an air ticket or not, the Gusau International Airport is about you. Just as you don’t need to own a trailer truck to benefit from a good road or trailer park, you don’t need to board a plane to benefit from an airport. But be rest assured that, one way or the other, the airport will bring development to your doorstep and perhaps, food directly to your plate. Let me tell you how.
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Firstly, having an airport in today’s dynamic world is not just about the prestige it brings. It is about opening up Zamfara, granting access to investors and unlocking other life-changing opportunities. This will create more jobs and reduce the unemployment rate in the state. It will also significantly boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Secondly, Zamfara State sits on one of the largest mineral reserves in the country and produces an impressive share of Nigeria’s agricultural output. When investors can fly into Zamfara in less than 50 minutes, they can come and buy your millet, sorghum, maize and beans directly, without interference from middlemen.
Consequently, high-value farm produce, processed gold and livestock can reach international markets in record time, generating more revenue for farmers, artisanal miners and the state. This revenue can then be used to build schools for your children or a primary healthcare centre for your community. In this way, airport-induced activities bring development to your doorstep and food to the table of farmers even in the remotest communities.
More importantly, the airport will now enable the rapid airlifting of security forces, surveillance assets and emergency supplies. This will significantly help in addressing our lingering security challenges.
Additionally, one of Zamfara’s major challenges over the years has been retaining specialists. Doctors and consultants often rejected postings to Zamfara due to accessibility and inadequate remuneration. I can proudly say that Governor Lawal has eliminated these barriers. As it stands today, Zamfara State pays its doctors more than the Federal Government. This competitive remuneration, coupled with enhanced accessibility, will undoubtedly attract specialists to care for our citizens.
This is why the Gusau International Cargo Airport is a true game-changer. It is the runway on which Zamfara’s sustainable development will take off.
At 30, Zamfara is airborne. Alhamdulillah, and happy anniversary!
Tudu is the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Office of the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government. Sulemantudu22@gmail.com