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Sokoto Advancement Forum

"Towards a United and Progressive Sokoto"

A non-partisan platform uniting expertise, networks, and resources to accelerate inclusive, sustainable development across Sokoto State.

Our Collective Strength

Uniting Sokoto's brightest minds and most committed hearts for transformative development.

Professors & Professionals

Traditional & Religious Leaders

Business Leaders & Entrepreneurs

Public Servants & Veterans

About SAF

The Philosophy

SAF believes that Government's efforts in governance need to be supported and complemented by the knowledge, wisdom, experience and other relevant resources of stakeholders (beneficiaries of governance) for the overall good of the state.

Vision

To be the leading non-partisan catalyst for sustainable advancement and inclusive progress in Sokoto State by uniting the wisdom, expertise, and commitment of all stakeholders, where every citizen thrives in a prosperous, secure, and equitable environment.

Mission

Empowering the people of Sokoto State by fostering collaboration among stakeholders, across sectors and generations, providing evidence-based solutions, and promoting accountability in governance, thereby complementing government efforts to achieve transformative advancements in education, healthcare, agriculture, security, industrialization, ICT, environment, economic opportunity, and ethical conduct.

Purpose of the Forum

The Sokoto Advancement Forum aims to bring together major stakeholders of Sokoto State to assist in overall improvement of the affairs of Sokoto State, serving as a comprehensive platform for transformative development.

  • Serve as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and action among all stakeholders
  • Propose sustainable, evidence-based strategies for comprehensive development
  • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and inclusivity in state development
  • Create impactful solutions by harnessing collective strengths
  • Address poverty alleviation, educational advancement, and healthcare delivery
  • Enhance security, agriculture, industrialization, and environmental sustainability

The Context & Our Call to Action

Sokoto's Extraordinary Potential

"Sokoto is richly endowed, not only in natural resources, but in human capital of immense value. If any state in the federation can crowd-source brilliance, it is Sokoto."

Islamic Leadership

Home to the respected Sultanate Council and revered Islamic scholars

Distinguished Service

Exceptional pool of retired and serving public servants, military and security personnel

Intellectual Capital

Professors, professionals, entrepreneurs, and medical consultants of global repute

The Urgent Reality

Despite significant government and civil society efforts, Sokoto still faces critical development challenges that demand collective action.

Development Indicators

  • Ranked as the poorest state in Nigeria (NBS 2022)
  • Alarming number of out-of-school children
  • Unacceptable doctor-to-patient ratio

Security & Environment

  • Greatest security threat in modern history
  • Desert encroachment threatening agriculture
  • Rising youth vulnerability to drug abuse

Our Vision for Transformation

"Let us craft a Sokoto where poverty is a memory, not a destiny, where the only things roaming our streets are ideas, not beggars; where the desert is pushed back by orchards, and ignorance by knowledge."

These challenges are far too vast and complex for government alone to resolve. They demand a unified response, a people-powered movement of visionary leadership, strategic collaboration, and relentless action.

Our Objectives

Stakeholder Platform

To provide an organized platform for intelligentsia and other stakeholders to contribute to public policy and community development, ensuring representation from diverse professional and community backgrounds.

Coordinate Contributions

To coordinate stakeholders' contributions towards the State's advancement and promote synergy among academia, public service, civil society, traditional institutions, and private sector stakeholders.

Security Solutions

To introduce innovative solutions for improving public safety thereby ending all challenges of banditry in all its ramifications.

Economic Growth

To develop actionable strategies to combat poverty and foster economic growth throughout Sokoto State.

Education Reform

To tackle the crisis of out-of-school children and promote quality education across all levels in the state.

Healthcare Delivery

To improve healthcare delivery through strategic planning and community engagement, addressing the doctor-to-patient ratio and healthcare accessibility.

Youth & Civil Society

To engage with youth and the civil society to confront drug abuse and other social challenges affecting our communities.

Global Partnerships

To partner with governments' organizations, international organizations and embassies for advancement of the state while ensuring the Forum remains non-partisan, inclusive, and transparent in all activities.

Organizational Structure

General Assembly

All members and committed partners

Board of Trustees (BoT)

10 eminent personalities

Executive Secretariat

Sokoto (HQ) & Abuja (Liaison Office)

Thematic Working Groups

Subject experts + Gov't liaison

Local Action Hubs

Senatorial-zone level

Advisory Council

Partners & stakeholders

Secretariat Departments

Programs & Impact

Research & Policy

Finance & Investment

Partnerships

Communications

Administration & HR

Membership Composition

The Forum welcomes all citizens and residents who share our vision for Sokoto's advancement, ensuring diverse representation across sectors and communities.

Intelligentsia
Traditional & Religious Leaders
Public Servants (Current & Former)
Business & Industry Leaders
Civil Society Organizations
Media Practitioners
Youth & Women Leaders
Diaspora Professionals
Committed Partners & Residents

Terms of Reference

Executive Council

  • Provide strategic leadership and vision for the Forum
  • Approve and monitor implementation of committee plans
  • Mobilize resources and oversee financial management
  • Represent the Forum at official functions and with partners
  • Ensure effective communication with members and stakeholders

Committees & Working Groups

  • Develop strategic work-plans aligned with Forum objectives
  • Conduct research and stakeholder consultations
  • Propose initiatives and policies for Forum consideration
  • Submit periodic progress reports to Executive Council
  • Monitor and evaluate impact of sectoral activities

Thematic Working Groups

Education & Skills
Health & Social Protection
Agriculture & Enterprise
Security & Peacebuilding
Environment & Climate
Governance & Accountability

Early-Phase Roadmap

Phase 1: Inaugural Summit

  • Convene stakeholders to adopt the Forum's structure
  • Form interim leadership and working groups
  • Ratify constitution & governance charter

Phase 2: Institutional Setup

  • Elect Executive Council with defined roles
  • Establish Secretariat and physical office
  • Register SAF (CAC & CSO regulators)

Phase 3: Committee Activation

  • Formally inaugurate committees with clear Terms of Reference
  • Begin strategic planning and stakeholder engagement
  • Complete State-wide needs and asset mapping

Phase 4: Strategic Action Plan

  • Develop a 3-year action plan with performance indicators
  • Launch priority projects with monitoring and evaluation frameworks
  • Establish Sokoto Development Endowment Fund and transparency dashboard

Funding & Sustainability

The Forum's sustainability depends on diverse funding sources and transparent financial management, ensuring long-term impact and accountability to all stakeholders.

Funding Sources

Member Contributions

Voluntary contributions from Forum members and stakeholders

Development Partnerships

Collaborations with development agencies and civil society organizations

Grant Funding

Grants from local and international donors committed to development

Public-Private Collaborations

Strategic partnerships with private sector entities and government agencies

Financial Accountability

Transparency Dashboard

Real-time online tracking of all Forum finances and expenditures

Regular Reporting

Quarterly financial reports and annual impact assessments

Independent Audit

Annual external audits to ensure financial integrity and compliance

Oversight Committee

Dedicated financial oversight mechanism with stakeholder representation

Sokoto Development Endowment Fund

A dedicated endowment fund to ensure sustainable financing of development initiatives, providing long-term stability for transformative projects across Sokoto State.

Sustainable Growth

Long-term investment strategies for continuous impact

Strategic Focus

Targeted funding for high-impact development projects

Perpetual Impact

Self-sustaining fund for generational transformation

Join the Movement

Your Expertise, Your Passion, Your Impact

All citizens, professionals, public servants, entrepreneurs, traditional and religious leaders are invited to join the Sokoto Advancement Forum. Together, we can transform Sokoto into a beacon of shared prosperity, knowledge, and peace.

Become a Member

Join our community of change-makers and contribute to Sokoto's development

Join Working Groups

Contribute your expertise to thematic committees in your area of interest

Champion Projects

Lead specific initiatives in your locality or sector of expertise

Share Knowledge

Contribute data, research, and innovations that can accelerate impact

"You have, therefore, been invited here today to join hands with like-minded individuals (leaders, professionals, and patriots) who share a common vision for the progress of Sokoto State. No single person can shoulder this responsibility alone. But together, united in purpose and action, we can drive meaningful change and elevate our state to new heights of development."

Together, let us transform Sokoto into a beacon of shared prosperity, knowledge and peace. May Allah (SWT) guide us, bless our efforts, and make this endeavour easy and successful. Ameen.

Recent Milestones

Inaugural Meeting

April 30, 2025

Historic gathering at Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Institute for Quran and General Studies, Sokoto. 68 participants attended, with 21 others sending apologies, formally establishing the Sokoto Advancement Forum.

Sultan Maccido Institute, Sokoto

Second Stakeholders Meeting

May 25, 2025

Strategic stakeholders meeting in Abuja to refine, reinforce, and realign the Forum's structure, establish working groups, and commence resource mobilization for transformative impact.

Abuja National Mosque Office Complex

Third Stakeholders Meeting

July 19, 2025

Transformative gathering marking SAF's evolution from vision to reality. Officially registered as legal entity, established Secretariat at Sifawa Plaza, finalized Constitution, formed eleven sectoral working groups, and launched resource mobilization strategy. Distinguished patrons and resident intelligentsia formally invited to join the movement.

Umaru Ali Shinkafi Hall, Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto

Looking Ahead

Following these foundational meetings, SAF is preparing for its General Assembly in Sokoto, where members from all over the country will make far-reaching decisions to formally launch comprehensive development initiatives.

Stakeholder Mobilization
Working Groups Formation
Program Launch