In football, when a team delivers a solid first half, controlling the game, scoring goals and winning the crowd, halftime becomes a moment of quiet confidence. Not because the game is over, but because the foundation for victory has been firmly laid. That same quiet confidence surrounds Senator Saliu Mustapha as he marks the midway point of his four-year term.
Two years in, his scorecard is already rich with impact, lives touched, communities empowered, promises kept. From legislative contributions to grassroots development, he has shown what it means to lead with vision and purpose.
And just like a team that knows it has played a great first half, there’s no resting. The focus now shifts to the second half, a chance to deepen the impact, amplify the results and bring the people of Kwara Central an even more memorable finish.
From the very beginning, Senator Mustapha set out with a clear vision: to provide effective representation, influence policies that benefit the people and bring development closer to the grassroots. In just two years, that vision has translated into achievements across all key sectors — from legislation to education, infrastructure, employment, agriculture, health and empowerment.
In the Senate, Senator Mustapha has been one of the most active voices. He has sponsored impactful bills, each of them tailored toward national development and the needs of his people. Some of these bills include: the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 464), which lays the foundation for establishing the Federal College of Agriculture, Oke-Oyi; and the Nigerian Women and Youth Enterprise Equity Fund Bill, 2025 (SB. 841), which aims to establish a sustainable funding framework to empower Nigerian women and youth by unlocking vital opportunities, promoting enterprise development, and driving inclusive economic growth nationwide. In addition to these bills, he has moved important motions that address both national matters and constituency-specific concerns.
Senator Mustapha has also made efforts to improve the lives of his constituents through job facilitation and appointments. He has helped over fifty qualified individuals secure federal employment and ensured that more than fifteen Kwarans have been appointed at the federal level. These interventions have not only opened doors but have also given many families a renewed sense of stability and pride.
As a firm believer in the power of education, Senator Mustapha has touched the lives of thousands of students. He awarded full university scholarships to 200 deserving students across Kwara Central. Beyond that, he sponsored 4,000 young people for JAMB and 2,000 students for WAEC and NECO examinations.
He also extended support to Arabic education through the NBAIS scheme, from which hundreds of students benefited. In remote communities, schools have received learning materials and improved infrastructure, including the construction of a block of two classrooms at Government Day Secondary School, Akerebiata in Ilorin East, and at Fate/Basin Junior Secondary School in Ilorin South LGA— both of which he facilitated.
In the area of infrastructure, the Senator’s efforts are significant and clearly visible. He facilitated the construction of a 1-kilometre asphalt road in Apalara, opposite Al-Hikmah University, providing relief to commuters and residents. A 500-million pavilion was also facilitated at the Emir of Ilorin’s Palace to enhance the community’s capacity to host large events.
In his quest to improve access to clean water, Senator Mustapha facilitated the construction of more than 30 motorized boreholes and converted several hand-pump boreholes to solar-powered systems. Additionally, he provided electricity transformers to underserved areas and installed over 3,500 smart solar-powered streetlights across all 52 wards of the senatorial district.
A standout feature of his leadership is his strong dedication to empowerment, through the Alubarika Renowned Hope Empowerment Programme, he empowered constituents with items worth billions of naira. Aso-Oke weavers received both material and financial support. Tailors were equipped with modern sewing machines. Youths, market women, butchers, digital content creators, and solar engineers also benefitted from direct empowerment. Young people received tricycles and truck tricycles, while artisans were supported with tools to help grow their trades.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Mustapha has taken giant strides in supporting local farmers and promoting food production. He distributed tractors to cooperatives for mechanized farming, supplied 1,000 irrigation pumping machines, and gave out over 5,000 tons of fertilizer to small-scale farmers. Other interventions include the distribution of herbicides, improved seedlings, and modern farm tools. He also organized several training sessions on dry-season farming and horticulture, with special focus on women and young people in agriculture.
The people’s Senator also launched a subsidised tractor programme to boost mechanised farming and improve food production in the state. The Programme named ‘Turaki Sagbedoba’, aims to make tractors and other farming tools available to local farmers at reduced costs. He also supported the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (Kwara Chapter) with a multi-million naira complete rice milling machine.
In health, his interventions have been life-changing. Hundreds of people across the four local government areas of Kwara Central have benefited from free eye surgeries, while his medical outreaches have brought vital healthcare services to rural and hard-to-reach communities. These outreaches included the distribution of essential drugs, basic tests, and consultations for people who otherwise might not have access to care.
As the whistle blows for the second half of Senator Saliu Mustapha’s tenure, the momentum is undeniable. The first half has proven his commitment, competence, and connection to the people of Kwara Central. Now, the task ahead is to consolidate these gains, tackle emerging challenges, and continue to raise the bar of representation.
If the next two years match or surpass the first, Senator Mustapha’s tenure will be remembered as a time of big impact. The second half holds every promise of an even greater finish and the game is far from over.
▪️Nasif Sholagberu is the Media Assistant to Senator Saliu Mustapha
