TheIMPACTS Manifesto

1.1Complete Ongoing Projects, Build More

We will complete every road, bridge, solar streetlight and other infrastructure project initiated by the administration of Governor Inuwa Yahaya according to schedule.

1.2Rural Connectivity

• Network 11/100 2.0 will build 1,000 km of additional statewide roads, allocated to LGAs/LCDAs based on need and economic impact, and provide every farming community with a motorable route to the nearest market.
• Partner with the Federal Government and Development Finance Institutions to attract funding for increased rural connectivity.

1.3Housing & Urban Renewal

• Deliver or enable at least 10,000 affordable housing units or serviced plots by 2031 through serviced land, transparent allocation, mortgage support, rent-to-own options, cooperative housing, climate-resilient standards and public-private partnerships, with priority windows for low- and middle-income families, civil servants, women-headed households and persons with disabilities.
• GOSUPDA and GOGIS to ensure enforcement of the Gombe Capital Development Zone Executive Order.
• Build more township roads, focusing on Gombe suburbs to decongest the metropolis and connect communities.
• Complete the Gombe Northern Bypass Project and reconstruct and expand the Gombe Southern Bypass.
• Establish public parks and recreational spaces in every LCDA, and develop and maintain waterfronts, recreational centres and visitor facilities to enhance quality of life and support tourism.

1.4Infrastructure Maintenance & Facility Management Agency

Create an agency dedicated to maintaining existing infrastructure, including roads, streetlights and public buildings.

1.5Water Supply & Sanitation Infrastructure

• Complete the ongoing Gombe Regional Water Project and overhaul the Gombe Water Corporation to deliver services effectively.
• Construct or refurbish 50 boreholes in each LCDA over four years.
• Publish an annual LCDA-level borehole plan stating the statewide total, the allocation to each LCDA, and the population, settlement and water-access criteria used, with annual reporting on completion and functionality.
• Construct additional waste disposal facilities in each of the 114 wards.
• Employ sanitation marshals to help keep Gombe clean.
• Partner with the private sector to create an integrated waste recycling facility in Gombe metropolis.

1.7Transport & Energy Infrastructure

• Partner with investors to develop a 100 MW solar power plant to guarantee off-grid industrial and domestic energy sufficiency for Gombe State.
• Green mobility: electric buses for public transport within Gombe metropolis and CNG-powered buses to connect major towns.
• Develop EV charging and CNG refuelling stations in Gombe metropolis and every LCDA headquarters.
• Construct township roads and install solar-powered streetlights to improve mobility, public safety and the urban environment.
• Upgrade access roads, signage, street lighting and supporting infrastructure serving major tourism destinations, including Dadin Kowa Dam, Tula Highlands, Tangale Hills, Kilang Hills, Cham Valley and other designated tourism sites.

1.8Regional Infrastructure

Work with the Federal Government and neighbouring states to advance strategic infrastructure in the North-East:

• Dualisation of the Abuja–Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe road
• The Gombe–Biu Super Highway
• The Gombe–Bajoga–Nafada road
• The Gombe–Dukku–Darazo road
• Regional railway, electricity transmission and broadband projects essential to economic integration and post-conflict recovery in the North-East

2.1Agro-mechanisation & Agro-processing

• Complete and operationalise the Special Agro-Livestock Development Zone.
• Leverage Gombe State's SAPZ status to harness opportunities across all segments of the agribusiness value chain.
• Support and expand the Gombe Agro-MSME clusters (rice millers, oil extractors, etc.) with clustered energy solutions, modern equipment and facilities.

2.2Industrial Revitalisation

• Complete and operationalise Phase 2 of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park as one of at least three serviced industrial or agro-processing clusters operational by 2030, each with reliable power, internal roads, water, drainage, security, waste management and business-support services.
• Partner with investors to develop a 100 MW solar power plant for off-grid industrial and domestic energy sufficiency.
• Support manufacturers and MSMEs with loans, grants and capacity building to boost competitiveness.
• Engage the Federal Government to sustain oil exploration at Kolmani.

2.3One LCDA, One Product: From Local Strength to Market Success

• Each LCDA will identify and develop one flagship product based on verified comparative advantage, local skills, raw-material availability, market demand and environmental sustainability.
• Within the first year, publish an LCDA product map and four-year delivery plan setting out production targets, responsible agencies, required infrastructure, financing needs and expected jobs.
• Organise farmers, artisans, processors, women and young entrepreneurs into transparent producer cooperatives and enterprise clusters.
• Provide shared production and processing facilities, reliable power, water, storage, quality testing, packaging, logistics and digital market access tailored to each product.
• Create a dedicated financing window blending grants, affordable credit, equipment leasing and private investment, with clear eligibility rules and safeguards against political capture.
• Help producers meet certification, safety, branding and traceability standards, linking each product to government procurement, major buyers, e-commerce, trade fairs and export opportunities.
• Guarantee meaningful participation for women, youth and persons with disabilities.
• Publish an annual LCDA scorecard on public investment, production volumes, enterprise growth, jobs, private capital mobilised and household-income gains.

3.4Youth Empowerment

• Gombe Youth Enterprise Fund: single-digit, low-interest loans with flexible repayment for the 18–35 age group.
• Vocational Skills Development Centres, one per senatorial zone, offering ICT, fashion, catering, hairdressing, welding, tailoring and other market-relevant skills.
• Train and support 5,000 youths annually through vocational and enterprise programmes (separate from the G-ODA digital target), with separate reporting on completion, apprenticeships, business support and employment.
• Youth inclusion in governance: a 40% slot for young people.
• Support youth participation in tourism, hospitality, recreation, culture industries and event management.

3.5Student Affairs

• Free NECO, WAEC and JAMB for all final-year secondary school students.
• Review and increase student scholarship bursaries to reflect current economic realities.
• Review and reduce tuition and registration fees for Gombe State indigenes in state-owned tertiary institutions.
• Partner with relevant institutions for merit- and needs-based foreign scholarships.
• Bonded sponsorships for at least 3,000 qualified students from poor households in health, education, engineering, agriculture and technology, with transparent needs-based selection and a defined post-graduation service obligation in Gombe State.

3.6Women, Children & Family

• Women Economic Empowerment Programme: training, capital (grants and loans) and market access for 10,000 direct women beneficiaries over four years.
• Reserve market stalls for women in all newly rehabilitated markets.
• Women inclusion in governance: reserve 35% of government appointments for women.
• Maternal and child nutrition: eradicate stunting and wasting through targeted community nutrition programmes, including RUTF for children.
• Girl-child education: increase enrolment and bridge gender gaps; build or upgrade one girl-only boarding secondary school in each LCDA.
• Family welfare: a family-responsive healthcare and social security package.

3.7Sports, Recreation & Creative Enterprise

• Build sports and recreation centres in each LCDA.
• Establish the Gombe Sports Management Company to harness sporting talent and attract sporting investment.
• Overhaul Gombe United FC and other state-owned clubs to foster strong performance.
• Promote Gombe State as a destination for sporting events, outdoor recreation, conferences and cultural exhibitions.
• Targeted support to creative industries to harness our youth's creative potential.

3.8Civil Service Reforms

• E-governance: support the transition to e-governance and digital workflows.
• Targeted training and capacity building to increase productivity and welfare.
• Timely promotions and prompt payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities and other approved benefits.

3.9People with Special Needs

• Strengthen the Gombe State Disability Commission to improve inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in governance.
• Empower PWDs with skills, enterprise support and livelihood opportunities that promote economic independence and reduce reliance on street begging.
• Free health coverage for PWDs through Go-Health.
• Build or upgrade special needs schools in each senatorial zone.

4.1Irrigation & Dry Season Farming

• Expand irrigation schemes at Dadin Kowa, Balanga and Cham dams, including along the Dadin Kowa dam in four LGAs: Yamaltu/Deba, Funakaye, Nafada and Dukku.
• Construct earth dams across the State to support irrigation and animal rearing and serve as water reservoirs during droughts.
• Subsidise inputs such as water pumps, seeds and fertilisers for dry-season farmers.
• Provide mechanisation and extension services through the Go-Tech Innovation Hub and the GSU College of Agriculture.

4.4Agricultural Mechanisation & Extension Services

• Recruit and deploy 300 extension officers to farming communities.
• Establish demonstration farms in each LCDA for hands-on training.
• Launch mobile phone advisory services on weather, pest alerts and market prices.
• Establish mechanisation hubs in each LCDA with tractors, drones and other equipment for lease to farmers.

4.5Livestock Modernisation

• Establish a Ministry of Livestock Development covering cattle fattening, dairy processing and leather production.
• Complete and operationalise the Special Agro-Livestock Development Zone being built by Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
• Canalise the Wawa-Zange Grazing Reserve into designated ranching zones with water points and veterinary clinics.

4.7Agritourism & Rural Enterprise

• Promote farm tourism, livestock exhibitions, agricultural fairs and food festivals as income sources for rural communities.
• Support community-owned tourism enterprises around dams, forests, grazing reserves and rural heritage sites.
• Market local agricultural products, traditional cuisine and handicrafts through the tourism value chain.

4.8Farmer-Herder Conflict Prevention

• Establish Peace Councils of farmers, herders and community leaders in every affected LCDA.
• Restore and protect grazing routes, grazing reserves and forest reserves.
• Protect both herders and farmers: no sweeping criminalisation of herders, but clear consequences and compensation for trespass and destruction of farmland.

5.1Business Development & Support

• Trader Support Fund: partner with the Bank of Industry and SMEDAN on revolving loans for petty traders, market women and small business owners, in addition to the Youth Enterprise Fund.
• Partner with the private sector to create commercial layouts for shopping malls in Gombe metropolis and major towns.

5.2Market Rehabilitation

• Modernise Gombe Main Market, Gombe Old Market, Kasuwar Tike, and one model market in each senatorial zone.
• Clean water, decent toilets, waste disposal, security lighting, fire safety equipment, and solar-powered cold storage sections for perishables.

5.3One-Stop Business Registration Desk

• Strengthen GOSIPA and GIRS to register businesses within 48 hours.
• One single form, one office and one fee schedule for all business registration.
• Free advisory services on tax compliance, business planning and credit access.

5.6Job Creation Targets

• Create 100,000 net new jobs across all sectors over four years.
• At least 50,000 direct and indirect jobs through commerce, trade, tourism, hospitality, transport, arts, culture, entertainment and related services.
• Jobs from the hotel upgrades, the proposed 5-Star Hotel, Convention Village and Resort, and the Airport–GICC Corridor.
• Support petty traders, market women and creative entrepreneurs through the Trader Support Fund, Youth Enterprise Fund and public-private financing.
• New employment through modernised markets, malls, commercial layouts and business districts.
• Priority for youth, women and persons with disabilities.

6.1Connectivity & Broadband Penetration

• Extend broadband internet to all LCDAs through public-private partnerships.
• Free public Wi-Fi in selected parks, markets, motor parks, hospitals and key public spaces.
• Encourage adoption of digital payment solutions in local transactions.

6.2Digital Skills for Youth: G-ODA

The Gombe Digital Opportunities and Advancement (G-ODA) programme will be the State's digital-skills and employment-delivery programme:

• A central programme office that sets standards, accredits training partners and coordinates one mini-hub in each senatorial district.
• Connect trainees to paid work and enterprise support, maintain a unified beneficiary register, and publish quarterly outcomes.
• Train young people in coding and software development, graphic design, digital marketing, data analysis, e-commerce, online business management and other job-linked skills.
• Link youth to remote work opportunities in Nigeria and internationally.

6.3E-Governance & Citizen Participation

• A single e-governance portal and mobile channels for land records, business permits, tax services and other high-demand services, with application tracking and status notifications.
• Publish budgets, procurement notices, contracts, project locations, completion status, expenditure and verified photographs through a public project tracker.
• Accept complaints, requests and proposals through the portal, SMS, USSD, call centres and help desks, with reference numbers and published response times.
• Online consultations, public polls, participatory budgeting and digital town halls before major decisions.
• Assisted access at LCDA offices and public digital hubs, including accessible formats for persons with disabilities.
• Quarterly participation reports showing how public input changed government decisions.

6.4Digital Tourism Promotion

• A Visit Gombe Digital Platform showcasing attractions, hotels, events, transport and visitor information.
• Digital destination-marketing campaigns for conference, leisure and eco-tourism visitors.
• Digital payments, online booking and e-commerce for tourism enterprises.

6.5Technology in Education

• The Gombe Digital Literacy Programme from Primary 1 to JSS 3, with partners providing age-appropriate content, foundational computing and safe internet use.
• Equip digital literacy centres in public secondary schools, prioritising underserved communities and learners with disabilities.
• Train teachers to integrate digital tools and provide connectivity, shared devices, technical support and child online-safety standards.
• Achieve 90% digital literacy across public primary and secondary schools by 2031, with annual reporting.

7.1Security Measures (Enabling Foundation)

• Support constitutionally permitted reforms to strengthen state-level and community policing, working with traditional institutions, recognised community-security structures and federal security agencies.
• Farmer-herder peace councils in every LCDA.
• Strengthen border security through patrols, intelligence and coordination with neighbours.
• Youth engagement as a security strategy: skills, jobs and enterprise.
• Strengthen security and emergency response around tourism destinations, conference facilities, hotels and recreational centres.

7.2Environmental Rangers

• Train 1,000 community-based rangers and forest guards, equipped and supported by security agencies.
• Mandate: protect forests, watersheds and grazing reserves from illegal logging, bush burning and encroachment.

7.4Reforestation & Afforestation

• Re-energise the Gombe Goes Green (3G) Project: four million trees in four years, independently monitored.
• A tree ownership programme for households, schools, religious institutions and farms.
• Shelterbelts and windbreaks on the northern frontline against desert encroachment.
• Mobilise green bonds and carbon financing for climate-smart projects.
• Develop selected forested and protected areas for eco-tourism.

7.5Combating Desertification & Land Degradation

• Sustainable land management training for farmers: crop rotation, mulching, contour ploughing.
• Discourage traditional nomadism by revitalising grazing reserves with water points and fodder banks.
• Restore degraded lands through terracing, retention walls and grass planting.

7.6Erosion & Flood Control

• Complete all ongoing gully erosion control projects and initiate new ones.
• Local weather stations and early-warning systems in partnership with NiMet.
• Identify vulnerable areas and enforce buffer zones along riverbanks and wetlands.

7.7Waste Management & Pollution Control

• Material recovery facilities and recycling plants for plastic, paper, glass and metals.
• Regulate scrap recovery through registration, designated collection points, safety standards and enforcement against theft and nuisance.
• Monthly community sanitation, rewarding the cleanest LCDAs, wards and markets.
• Maintain environmental standards at tourism, hospitality, conference and recreational sites.