Brigadier General Olayinka Sule’s life unfolded during a time when Nigeria was experiencing profound political change. Born on 4 May 1948, he grew up in a nation moving rapidly toward modern statehood. As Nigeria shifted through independence, political turbulence and new national ambitions, Sule chose a path of service, joining the Nigerian Army and rising through the ranks. His career would eventually position him at the centre of one of the most significant administrative transitions in Nigeria’s history.
Across the decades, Sule built a reputation for discipline and professionalism. His competence opened doors to important responsibilities, including an international assignment in 1983 as a military officer attached to Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. This role demonstrated the trust placed in him and strengthened his profile as an officer who could be relied upon in sensitive positions.
By the early 1990s, Sule had reached the senior rank of Brigadier General, becoming one of the officers entrusted with helping Nigeria navigate major administrative changes.
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Jigawa State Is Born
Nigeria underwent a major transformation on 27 August 1991 when the Federal Military Government created new states to decentralise administration and bring governance closer to the people. One of these new states was Jigawa, carved out of Kano State. With its creation came the urgent need for an experienced leader who could bring structure, direction and stability to a state that had no established institutions.
On 28 August 1991, Brigadier General Olayinka Sule was appointed as the first Administrator of Jigawa State. His appointment came at a critical moment. Jigawa existed only on paper, and it required leadership that could translate a government decree into a functioning state with ministries, offices, civil servants and the administrative order necessary for public life to begin.
Laying the Earliest Foundations
Sule assumed responsibility for overseeing the state’s first steps toward organisation. The tasks before him involved establishing the government secretariat, arranging office locations, coordinating the deployment of civil servants, and ensuring that Jigawa could begin functioning independently from Kano State. While his tenure was brief, his role was foundational. Many of the administrative structures that later governors would develop began with the groundwork carried out under his watch.
He served during a period when Nigeria was preparing to transition into civilian rule under the planned Third Republic. Because of this national timetable, Jigawa’s first Administrator needed to organise the state rapidly so that it could be handed over to an elected governor.
In January 1992, Sule completed his mission by transferring leadership to the newly elected Governor Ali Sa’ad Birnin-Kudu. With that handover, Jigawa moved from the early military-led stage of its formation into democratic governance.
Life Beyond Public Office
Following his tenure in Jigawa and after completing his years of military service, Brigadier General Olayinka Sule retired from the Nigerian Army with honour. Public records about his personal activities after retirement are limited, but his contributions during his service years continued to be recognised by colleagues, communities and the state he helped establish. His life remained defined by dedication, duty and the quiet fulfilment of responsibility.
On 23 August 2020, he passed away at the age of seventy-two. His death marked the end of a life shaped by national service and steady leadership.
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Legacy of a Transitional Leader
While Sule’s time as Administrator lasted only a few months, his impact rests in the stability and structure he brought to a newly created state. He represents a category of leaders whose work is not always widely publicised but remains deeply significant. The early months of any state’s existence are fragile, and the groundwork done during this time determines how effectively future administrations can serve their people.
Jigawa State stands today as a functional and established part of Nigeria’s federation, and its earliest steps toward maturity began under Sule’s guidance. His leadership during its transitional phase forms an important chapter in its history.
Author’s Note
The story of Brigadier General Olayinka Sule offers a reminder that some of the most important contributions in public life occur quietly, behind the scenes and in the earliest stages of development. His role in guiding Jigawa State through its birth demonstrates how stability, discipline and order-building can shape the long-term direction of a community. His legacy lies in the foundations he helped create and the steady leadership he provided during a defining national moment.
References
Federal Republic of Nigeria Gazette, State Creation, 1991
Jigawa State Government, Record of Past Governors
National Newspaper Obituary Records, 2020
Press Records on UN Mission Posting, 1983
