Distinguished Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, the Senator representing Niger North Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, is no stranger to public service. Having served as the Executive Governor of Niger State for two consecutive terms, as well as a former commissioner and businessman, his portfolio is impressive. For me personally, he is not just a public figure but a boss of over eight years, a relationship that has shaped my understanding of leadership and compassion.
For many, this summary of titles and roles is the extent of their knowledge of Senator Abubakar Sani Bello. However, this limited perception does a great disservice to the Gentleman Senator, for he is much more than the positions he has held. His other defining qualities, his humanity, empathy, and integrity are often hidden in plain sight, either overshadowed by biases, missed details, or, admittedly, by the failure of us his media aides to accurately portray his true persona to the public.
Before working with him as one of his media aides, my perception of him was shaped by the writings of Dr. Ibrahim Dooba, his first Chief Press Secretary, a highly respected journalist in northern Nigeria. Through Dr. Dooba’s words, I began to understand that Senator Sani Bello was not just another politician; he was a man with an unwavering focus on improving the lives of the downtrodden.
From the onset of his administration as Governor, it became evident that his concern for the masses was genuine and profound. Unlike many politicians who prioritize media optics, Senator Sani Bello has always been indifferent to the theatrics of public relations. Convincing him to care about his media presence has always been an uphill task. His care for the people is neither performative nor superficial; it is rooted in a deep desire to shift the fortunes of those who need it most.
This passion defined his eight-year tenure as Governor, where policies were crafted to ensure the most rural communities felt his presence. His education policies exemplify this commitment. The Whole School Development Approach led to the rebuilding and renovation of key schools such as Government Science College Izom, Maryam Babangida Government Girls Science College Minna, and Government Science College Baro. Instead of sacking unqualified teachers, an approach often adopted by others, Senator Sani Bello chose to address the root of the issue by establishing the Teachers Development Institute in Daudu Maza. This first-of-its-kind initiative focused on retraining teachers while identifying and nurturing future educators from across the state. Without creating noise or controversy, this approach quietly improved the education sector.
His commitment extended to infrastructure for rural development. Through the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP), Senator Sani Bello rebuilt roads that had been neglected for over 40 years, enabling farmers to transport their produce to markets and contributing to national food security. Under his leadership, Niger State was repeatedly ranked among the best in implementing the RAMP program. Rural Roads that weren’t touched for over 40 years were renovated, in Minna alone I can count close to 40 street roads that were built/rebuilt or renovated.
However, this is not merely about his achievements in public office; it is about his humanity and large-hearted nature. For Senator Sani Bello, governance has always been about touching lives in ways that foster self-sufficiency rather than indulging in grandiose projects with minimal immediate impact. While many leaders focused on building flyovers and lavish edifices, Senator Sani Bello believed in laying a strong foundation for future growth. His philosophy was eloquently articulated during a recent Senate plenary while supporting a motion on addressing Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis. He remarked:
“A politician, especially a Governor seeking re-election, would rather invest in projects he can show immediately. But investment in education is different. The results take time, five to ten years and many leaders lack the courage to prioritize it. In Niger State, we rebuilt schools from scratch because renovating alone wasn’t enough. For instance, in some cases, students had no toilets and risked their lives going into bushes at night. Investing in education may not yield immediate applause, but it is the right thing to do for the future.”
This mindset, prioritizing long-term impact over short-term visibility has been central to his leadership style. While some criticized him for not focusing on “massive” infrastructure, they often overlooked the deliberate projects that truly benefited the masses. For instance, his administration rehabilitated several General Hospitals, I was in Suleja General Hospital recently and I couldn’t stop smiling and bragging to those I was with that my boss renovated this Hospital as a Governor, it stands among hundreds of his legacies, The School of Nursing Kontagora, Kontagora General Hospital, Minna General Hospital, and the securing of full accreditation for the School of Nursing in Bida 42 years after its establishment among others were the deliberate efforts at making a direct impact to the masses
As a Senator today, Senator Sani Bello’s popularity among his constituents has soared. His commitment to directly addressing their challenges has become more evident. Unlike his time as Governor when his responsibilities stretched across millions of people his current role allows him more time to connect personally with his constituents. Testimonies abound of his interventions in paying hospital bills, school fees, and supporting entrepreneurial initiatives. His focus on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship has empowered countless individuals to become self-reliant.
I was particularly impressed by the locally-made bags and shoes produced during a recent skills acquisition program. The quality of these products, born from his constituency initiatives, is a testament to the tangible impact of his leadership.
In my 12 years of active politics, I have yet to meet a politician like Senator Sani Bello. I often don’t see him as a “politician” in the traditional sense because he refuses to engage in political battles or conflicts.
Throughout his eight-year tenure as Governor, he never engaged in personal feuds despite facing antagonism. He remained focused, dignified, and respectful, choosing to rise above the noise.
At the national level, Senator Sani Bello commands widespread respect across party lines. His simplicity, integrity, and trustworthiness have earned him admiration among his colleagues. Despite his affluent upbringing, he remains grounded. His lifestyle is a reflection of his humility: in Kontagora, he still lives in a modest three-bedroom house which I can assure you will never belong to a former Governor as his main house in his hometown and the last time I checked, he still never had a house in Minna, and throughout his tenure as Governor, he resided in a three-bedroom Presidential Lodge until the Government House was completed in his final year.
Today, as Senator Sani Bello marks his 57th birthday, he stands as a man who has achieved success in every aspect of his life. He is not only a successful businessman and politician but also a beloved leader. His people love him, stakeholders respect him, and his human relationship skills are second to none. True leadership, after all, is not defined merely by holding positions but by earning the trust and admiration of those one leads.
For me, he is not just a boss but a father figure. Over the years, I have learned invaluable lessons from his humility, kindness, and approach to life. He is the model of what a politician should be, someone driven by purpose, integrity, and genuine love for the people.
Happy 57th Birthday, Boss. Thank you for being a true leader and an inspiration to us all.
Muawiyah Yusuf Muye is the Media Adviser to Senator Abubakar Sani Bello
