Nigeria

Bello Matawalle

Governor

2019–2023 Nigeria · Zamfara

PDP/APC

Amnesty approach to banditry; defected to APC.

50Fair

Overall Score

50Fair

Projects

49Fair

Budget

51Fair

Crises

49Fair

Debt

Performance Radar

Sector Allocation

Public Sentiment Score

/100

Mixed/Neutral

Budget by Year ($M)

Legacy Projects (1)

Zamfara Gold Refinery

Stalled

Other

2019–

Gold refinery for Zamfara's gold deposits, stalled amid insecurity

30M

Events & Crises Timeline

Zamfara State – Matawalle's Bandit Amnesty Controversy

2021

Policy

Matawalle controversially offered amnesty to bandits, arming local hunters and giving cash to bandit leaders. NASS criticised the approach as rewarding criminals.

Zamfara Banditry Crisis – Mass Killings

2019

Conflict

2000 deaths

Zamfara declared the most dangerous state in Nigeria under Matawalle. Over 2,000 killed in bandit attacks 2019-2022. Federal government suspended all mining activities. State economy collapsed.