Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi conducted an unannounced inspection of the State Secretariat Complex in Dutse on Monday, finding several offices of top government officials locked and many senior civil servants absent as late as 11 a.m. A viral video captured the governor walking through multiple ministries, opening office doors and discovering deserted workspaces, with only messengers and security personnel present in most rooms.
Governor's Aide Confirms Oversight Tour
The governor's Special Assistant, Garba Muhammad, confirmed that the visit was part of a broader statewide oversight tour aimed at strengthening governance and public service delivery. In a statement released on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, as reported by The Punch, Muhammad said the secretariat visit was specifically designed to measure staff attendance, punctuality, and workplace productivity among civil servants.
“The day's activities commenced with an unannounced visit to the Jigawa State Secretariat Complex in Dutse, where the Governor monitored staff attendance, punctuality, and workplace productivity,” Muhammad said. He added that the exercise sent a clear signal about the administration's stance on discipline: “The exercise reflects his administration's continued drive to promote discipline, accountability, and an efficient public service.”
Governor Extends Tour to Ringim and Kazaure
After the secretariat inspection, Governor Namadi traveled to Ringim Local Government Area to visit families affected by a recent boat accident in the Malamawar 'Yan Dutse community. He joined funeral prayers for victims whose bodies had been recovered, while search teams continued looking for those still missing. He also paid a condolence visit to the Emir of Ringim, offering prayers for the deceased and comfort for the bereaved.
The governor then inspected township road projects under construction in Sankara and along the Kanya Babba road. His tour continued into Kazaure, where he assessed progress on several infrastructure projects, including hospitals, the Jigawa State Research Institute, and the Jigawa State Polytechnic for Communication and Information Technology.
Hands-On Governance Approach
Muhammad said the full day of activity reflected the governor's hands-on approach to overseeing government programmes. “The tour demonstrated Governor Namadi's commitment to maintaining close supervision of government programmes, improving public service delivery, and accelerating the implementation of developmental projects that advance the vision of a Greater Jigawa,” he stated.
The viral video of the empty offices has sparked discussions on social media about accountability and discipline in the state's civil service. The governor's unannounced visit underscores his administration's focus on ensuring that public servants are present and productive during working hours.
