Bauchi gov’s son tackles father’s administration over youth neglect

Engr Shamsuddeen Mohammed, the first son of Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has tackled the current administration in the state under the leadership of his father, citing neglect for human development, particularly youth empowerment, in the last seven years. 

Engr Shamsuddeen Mohammed made this known in an open letter titled “Bridging the Gap: A Call for a Human-Capital Focused Policy for Bauchi State” addressed to the Governor and posted on his verified Facebook page on Saturday, stating that the last seven years under his father has undeniably transformed the landscape of Bauchi State.

Shamsuddeen Mohammed wrote, “As a son of the soil, an engineer, and a stakeholder deeply invested in the progress of our state, I write this open letter with a spirit of loyalty and profound concern. Over the last seven years, your administration has undeniably transformed the landscape of Bauchi State.”

“The infrastructure projects—our roads, schools, and hospitals—stand as a testament to your vision and legacy. These are milestones that future generations will celebrate.

“However, as we approach 2027, I feel a responsibility to bring to your attention a brewing disconnect between this commendable infrastructure drive and the immediate economic reality of our people.”

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Continuing, he added that, “There is a growing, palpable frustration among the youth—the very demographic that forms the bedrock of your political support. The prevailing sentiment on the ground is that while infrastructure is vital, it does not alleviate the immediate economic hardship, the struggle for daily sustenance, or the pain of families still awaiting civil service gratuities.”

“There is a boiling point of agitation. Our youths are not merely asking for handouts; they are asking for a stake in the prosperity of their state. They feel that the strides made thus far, while impressive, have not reached them in a way that impacts their livelihoods.” 

“I humbly suggest that the next phase of your administration be defined by a social-economic empowerment pivot.” We should explore global models of “productive inclusion”—mechanisms that provide seed funding for youth-led startups, capital grants for small-scale entrepreneurs, and policy-driven mandates that require contractors to prioritise local youth employment. Let us shift the focus from solely “building the state” to “investing in the citizen”, he further wrote. 

The Governor’s son further noted that while his father’s legacy is secure in steel and concrete, his prayer was for his lasting legacy to become the economic resilience of the Bauchi youths.