Religion has for centuries been recognised as a powerful force for societal development. Beyond its spiritual significance, it also shapes ethical values, strengthens social cohesion, influences economic behaviour—such as the strict prohibition of usury or interest in many faith traditions—promotes community welfare, and serves as a stabilising force in society. In communities like Sokoto State, where religion occupies a central place in daily life, effective governance cannot afford to ignore this objective reality. Rather, it should harness the moral authority and social capital of faith as a catalyst for sustainable development—an approach Governor Ahmed Aliyu has consciously embraced.
Unfortunately development is often measured only in kilometres of roads constructed, the number of schools renovated, hospitals equipped and industries established. These are visible indicators of progress and remain indispensable in evaluating the success of any government. Yet history shows that enduring development rests on foundations that are less visible but equally important: peace, trust, moral responsibility, social cohesion and a shared commitment to the common good. These values cannot be legislated into existence; they are cultivated over time through families, communities and, in many societies, religion.
Sokoto State, the revered Seat of the Caliphate and birthplace of Sheikh Usmanu Dan Fodio, occupies a unique position in Nigeria’s religious and historical landscape. Here, Islam is not merely a religion but a defining cultural and social institution that permeates governance, education and communal life. It is therefore natural that an administration seeking the buy in of the people for its programmes would recognise faith not only as a spiritual guide but also as a strategic partner in advancing development.
It was against this backdrop that Governor Ahmed Aliyu contested the 2023 governorship election on his Nine-Point Smart Agenda, which explicitly pledged to preserve Sokoto’s religious heritage and promote religious affairs. The vision resonated strongly with the people, who entrusted him with their mandate at the polls. Since assuming office, Aliyu has remained unwavering in implementing that commitment, demonstrating that it was not an electoral gimmick but a governance priority rooted in the state’s historical identity.
While the Aliyu administration has attracted considerable attention for its infrastructure drive, economic reforms, security interventions and the 2026 budget that allocated about 70 percent of expenditure to capital projects, another defining dimension of its governance philosophy has been the institutional strengthening of religious affairs. This extends well beyond building places of worship—which is a deliberate investment in the state’s moral and social fabric, reinforcing ethical values, strengthening families, deepening social harmony, supporting education, expanding community welfare and promoting peaceful coexistence.
This commitment is reflected across the administration’s programmes. A recent example was the commissioning of the newly remodelled Gada Central Jumu’at Mosque by the Emir of Kiyawa in Zamfara State, Major Sanusi Muhammad Asha (Rtd.), who described it as a milestone in Governor Aliyu’s sustained investment in religious institutions.The Gada Central Mosque is part of a broader programme to strengthen religious infrastructure across the state. Since May 2023, the administration has reconstructed or remodelled 43 Jumu’at Mosques, with 12 more under construction and further renovations planned for Isa, Sabon Birni, Binji, Bunkari and Tangaza Local Government Areas.
The value of this programme extends far beyond reconstructing the mosques themselves. Across Sokoto State, Jumu’at Mosques serve not only as places of worship but also as centres of learning, conflict resolution, marriage engagement and humanitarian support. The reconstruction has provided worshippers with more conducive, dignified and comfortable environments for worship, while the boreholes installed at many of the mosques have improved access to clean and safe water for worshippers and surrounding communities. In addition, the installation of solar-powered streetlights has enhanced security around the mosques and adjoining neighbourhoods, making the areas safer, particularly during early morning and evening prayers. From their pulpits, Imams also promote honesty, peaceful coexistence, respect for constituted authority, compassion and shared community responsibility—values that, by extension, strengthen the social fabric and contribute to peace, stability and sustainable development.
Governor Aliyu has consistently maintained that investing in religious institutions is, in essence, an investment in responsible citizenship and moral development. Recognising the vital role religious leaders play in shaping public morality, the government has institutionalised operational grants for mosques and introduced regular stipends for Imams and other Islamic clerics—support that helps insulate them from political pressure and enables them to serve with greater independence and dignity. The Hisbah Board has also been revitalised to strengthen moral guidance and community mediation, while government support for Islamic propagation has expanded across the state.
Education remains one of the most enduring drivers of sustainable development, and the administration has complemented its broader education reforms with renewed investment in religious schooling. Since 2023, Sokoto’s annual education allocation has consistently surpassed the UNESCO benchmark. Plans have been concluded to renovate existing Islamiyya schools and build new ones, reflecting Governor Aliyu’s view that all children deserve learning environments that nurture academic excellence, discipline and spirituality in equal measure.
The broader goal is to transform Qur’anic education into a platform for human development and responsible citizenship. Toward this end, the administration has advanced reforms through the revitalisation of the Almajiri system and expanded support for Islamiyya schools, including placing dozens of Islamic teachers on the state payroll—measures designed to give the young learners sound moral guidance alongside western education.
The administration regards religion not merely as a matter of faith but as an instrument of social protection and inclusive development. This is reflected in the restructuring of the Sokoto State Zakat and Endowment Agency into a more responsive institution, one that now provides expanded support to widows, orphans and other vulnerable citizens through food assistance, financial empowerment, educational support and medical interventions—demonstrating how well-managed faith-based institutions can contribute to poverty reduction and social inclusion.
Religious institutions also play a vital role in promoting peace and stability. At a time when parts of Sokoto State is facing security challenges, respected religious leaders remain among the most influential voices preaching moderation, discouraging extremism and mediating in communal disputes. Through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the administration has sustained close engagement with Islamic scholars, traditional institutions and community leaders, strengthening dialogue, encouraging community vigilance and enhancing resilience against emerging threats.
In healthcare, religious leaders have become important allies, using their pulpits to dispel harmful misconceptions and encourage preventive health measures. The results have been significant: DTP1 immunisation coverage has reached 91.9 percent and DTP3 coverage 80.7 percent, a marked improvement on previous years—evidence that sustainable development is best achieved when public policy is reinforced by community trust and faith-based advocacy.
This partnership has also become an effective instrument for public enlightenment. Messages on education, environmental sanitation, healthcare, vaccination, responsible parenting, drug abuse prevention and civic responsibility have gained wider acceptance through religious leaders, allowing government programmes to reach communities that conventional channels may not easily penetrate.
Predictably, some critics have dismissed the prominence given to religious affairs under the Nine-Point Smart Agenda as a political gimmick. The administration rejects that characterisation, pointing to the breadth of its interventions since taking office. As Commissioner for Religious Affairs Dr. Jabir Sani has argued, if giving priority to religious affairs is politics, then it is good politics—because politics is about service to the people, and a policy aimed at strengthening moral values and social cohesion cannot be reduced to mere political interest.
That argument reflects the broader philosophy underpinning the administration’s governance: politics, as the saying goes, is the art of finding and implementing what the people want. In a state whose identity is inseparable from its religious heritage, strengthening religious institutions is not political expediency but responsive governance—an acknowledgement of the values and aspirations of the people it serves.
The Sokoto State experience demonstrates that religion and development need not exist in separate spheres. Around the world, faith-based institutions have long been partners in human development—the Catholic Church-owned schools, for instance, are widely respected for their academic standards and emphasis on moral values. When thoughtfully integrated into public policy, such institutions can reinforce education, strengthen social welfare, promote peace and complement government efforts to build resilient, cohesive communities.
Ultimately, development is about people as much as infrastructure. Roads improve connectivity, hospitals save lives and schools expand opportunities, but the long-term success of these investments also depends on the values, social cohesion and mutual trust that bind communities together. It is from this perspective that Governor Aliyu’s administration approaches religious affairs—not as an effort merely to preserve tradition or build places of worship, but as a deliberate instrument for human development, community empowerment, ethical leadership and public service. Development, in the end, is measured not only by statistics but by the strength of communities, the quality of leadership, the level of public trust, and the values that inspire citizens to work together for the common good.
This multidimensional understanding of governance deserves attention beyond Sokoto State. Across Africa and much of the developing world, policymakers have increasingly recognised that development cannot rely on only economic indicators alone,but also that social capital—the networks of trust, shared values and community relationships that enable societies to function—is equally important determinant of long-term progress, and religion remains one of its strongest reservoirs.
Gatekeepers News is not liable for opinions expressed in this article; they’re strictly the writer’s
