Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has praised Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, for what he described as significant steps towards improving infrastructure and public healthcare in the state.

Obasanjo made the remarks on Tuesday during a working visit to Gusau, where he commissioned the remodelled Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital as well as two key road projects in the state capital.

Speaking at the hospital’s unveiling, Obasanjo noted the presence of advanced diagnostic equipment, including a functional MRI and CT scanner—facilities he said are lacking in some teaching hospitals across the country.

“I am in Zamfara State today to see the new, improved, and improving Zamfara under your leadership,” Obasanjo said. “Some teaching hospitals do not have CT scans or MRIs, and in cases where they do, the machines are often not working. Here, they are operational and providing services.”

The hospital, which has undergone extensive renovation and expansion, now includes new wings for radiology, obstetrics and gynaecology, and laboratory services. Residential quarters for medical personnel and a redesigned landscape have also been added.

Governor Lawal described the upgrade as part of his administration’s broader commitment to improving healthcare delivery and restoring confidence in public institutions. He said the hospital has been refitted with modern beds, digital systems, and waste management infrastructure to meet international standards.

The governor emphasised that the facility is designed to serve as a referral centre for advanced medical cases, a training hub for healthcare professionals, and a platform for research and innovation.

Beyond the hospital, Obasanjo also commissioned the newly completed Zannah–Abarma and Tsalha Bungudu–Kwanar Birnin Ruwa roads. The former president lauded the state’s investment in road infrastructure, describing it as a crucial step toward modernising Zamfara.

“Based on my observations and what I have heard, we are partners in progress,” Obasanjo added. “I urge you to continue enhancing Zamfara State throughout your government’s eight-year tenure.”

Lawal, in response, expressed appreciation for Obasanjo’s visit, noting the symbolic importance of the former leader’s presence. He reiterated his administration’s goal to transform Zamfara through focused investments in health, education, and transport infrastructure.

The projects form part of Lawal’s so-called “Rescue Mission,” a term used to describe his post-election promise to rebuild public trust and reform service delivery in one of Nigeria’s most troubled states.

Obasanjo’s visit marks a rare public endorsement of a sitting governor’s work in a region long plagued by insecurity and economic hardship. His remarks are expected to draw further attention to Lawal’s reform efforts in Zamfara.