Courageous Yahaya Bello is 50
By John Mayaki
As former Kogi state governor, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello clocks 50 today, he stands out as one of Nigeria’s most talked-about political figures. He is admired by many, and also misunderstood by some, but most importantly, no one ignores him.
His political journey has been anything but ordinary. From his surprise emergence as governor of Kogi State in 2016 to his eight-year tenure marked by both controversy and trailblazing reforms, Bello has walked the tightrope of public leadership with grit, boldness, and an unmistakable presence.
Just last week, I stumbled upon a trending video on social media: Yahaya Bello making a dramatic entry in a luxurious vehicle not commonly seen in this part of the world. The internet, as expected, lit up with reactions. That moment reminded me that I have a leader who is never far from controversy. But I didn’t realize then that he was about to turn 50. And truly, what better time for him to celebrate?
What are the myths around this misunderstood man, if you ask me. Am sure we remember him when in office, he was the only governor who openly declared that there was no COVID-19 in Kogi. For this, he was heavily criticized. But for his supporters, that was Yahaya Bello at his most fearless; ever willing to go against the tide and stake his leadership on conviction, not conformity.
He posted videos of his workouts and promoted healthy living from Government House and this also attracted praise from health advocates and jabs from critics. Again, he didn’t flinch.
Love him or loathe him, Bello has earned a reputation as a man who does not run from hard decisions. One of such was the civil service verification exercise. It made him unpopular at the time, but it exposed thousands of ghost workers and saved the state billions in fraudulent wage bills. That money was redirected into development and the results are visible even though it threatened his reelection bid.
Bello’s tenure saw the rollout of infrastructure projects that redefined the state’s landscape. From the iconic Ganaja flyover in Lokoja to over 500 kilometres of rehabilitated roads, he placed connectivity at the centre of his development agenda.
His impact on education is perhaps most profound. He constructed over 1,800 classrooms, established GYB Model Science Secondary Schools in each senatorial district, and founded two new state universities; the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, and Kogi State University, Kabba. He also revitalized Prince Abubakar Audu University.
He introduced free WAEC, NECO, and JAMB registrations for students and this was a move that helped reduce the number of out-of-school children in Kogi from over 550,000 in 2015 to under 90,000 by 2019. That’s no small feat.
In healthcare, his administration built world-class referral hospitals in Okene, Idah, and elsewhere, equipped rural health centres, and recruited over 2,000 new health professionals.
Let’s not forget that Kogi State was once a flashpoint of crime, but it soon became one of the most secure states under Bello’s watch. Through a multi-agency task force, over 200 patrol vehicles, and proactive engagement with security agencies, Bello clamped down on kidnapping and banditry.
He empowered youth and women, giving them strategic positions in his government. He wasn’t just paying lip service to inclusion; he institutionalized it.
At 50, Yahaya Bello represents the face of youthful leadership in Nigeria – courageous, audacious, and unwilling to be boxed in by the expectations of tradition. His leadership style may not fit the textbook, but it delivered real results.
Despite the controversies, despite the critics, his record remains. You cannot mention governors with visible projects in their states without including Yahaya Bello.
In his own words, “Leadership is not a title; it is a burden of service. I came to serve my people with every breath and decision I took.”
And so, as he marks this golden milestone, I join other Nigerians from all walks of life to salute a leader who challenged the norm, carved his own path, and left behind a legacy of transformation.
Happy 50th Birthday, Yahaya Adoza Bello, the only White Lion of Africa.
