Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has assured residents that his administration will build on the progress recorded in 2025 as the state enters the new year, with renewed emphasis on security, education, infrastructure and economic empowerment.

In a New Year message issued to journalists in Sokoto on Wednesday, the governor described 2026 as a year of consolidation and accelerated development, anchored on his administration’s nine-point Smart Innovative Agenda.

According to Aliyu, the government will continue to focus on key sectors capable of driving rapid socio-economic growth across the state, stressing that peace and security remain fundamental to sustainable development.

He revealed that the state government has drawn up a new strategy aimed at strengthening the capacity of security agencies to combat banditry, particularly in the 13 local government areas currently affected by insecurity.

“We have already drawn up a blueprint on how to further assist security agencies in the areas of logistics, intelligence gathering and intelligence sharing,” the governor said.

He urged security agencies to scale up their operations in the new year and called on residents, especially those in frontline communities, to cooperate by providing timely and credible information. Aliyu also appealed to communities to expose individuals with suspicious lifestyles or those living above their means, noting that community vigilance would help dismantle informant networks supporting criminal activities in rural areas.

On education and religious development, the governor announced plans to construct additional Islamiyya schools and rehabilitate existing ones in poor condition. He added that ongoing renovations of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions would be completed, alongside the provision of more furniture and sustained attention to teachers’ welfare.

Addressing infrastructure development, Aliyu said all ongoing housing projects in Wajake, Gidan Salanke and Sokoto New City, as well as rural and township road projects, would be completed before the end of the second quarter of 2026.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic empowerment initiatives, including NG-CARES, Ahmadu-CARES and other programmes targeting youths and women across the state.

The governor also promised improvements in water supply, stating that all ongoing water projects would be completed, while additional machinery would be provided for major water intake facilities.

In the agricultural sector, Aliyu said the government would continue to support farmers with inputs and implements, disclosing that contracts have already been awarded for the procurement of tractors to enhance mechanised farming.

He added that the health sector would remain a priority through the renovation of health facilities and the provision of modern medical equipment across the state.

“By the grace of Almighty Allah, we will ensure the successful actualisation of all these projects in 2026,” he assured.

Aliyu thanked the people of Sokoto State for their continued support, reaffirmed his commitment to good governance, and wished residents of the state and Nigerians at large a prosperous New Year.

The governor’s remarks come barely a week after the United States announced that it carried out an air strike against ISIS fighters in the north-western part of Nigeria.

“Tonight, ⁠at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike ‌against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria,” ‌President Donald Trump said.