The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., has earned a Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership and an Award of Excellence for his contributions to leadership, youth development, public service and national development.
The Minister was also decorated as a Youth Vanguard Ambassador under a programme being developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to provide platforms for young Nigerians to showcase their talents, innovations, research and leadership potential.
The honours were conferred on Goronyo during a special ceremony held on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Minister’s Conference Hall, Mabushi, Abuja.
The ceremony was led by the Country Director, USA, Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership, Dr. Samuel Ojo, who said the recognition was in appreciation of the Minister’s demonstrated commitment to leadership and youth development.
According to an official statement signed by Abdullahi Mohammed, Special Adviser, Media to the Honourable Minister of State for Works, Goronyo, while accepting the honours, described the recognition as a privilege and a renewed challenge to contribute more to humanity and national development.
“It is not something small. I take it as a big thing and as another challenge to serve humanity,” the Minister said.
Goronyo said his commitment to leadership and youth development had taken him to various national and international platforms, including engagements with the Global Peace Foundation and programmes in the United States of America and the Philippines.
He stressed that effective leadership must be anchored on transparency, honesty, integrity and accountability, urging public office holders to continually strive to make positive contributions to society.
The Minister commended the institute for recognising his contributions to youth engagement and development, stressing that empowering young Nigerians remained critical to the future of the country.
He also expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE, for the cordial working relationship between them, describing him as “a brother and partner in progress.”
Goronyo said their collaboration had contributed to advancing the objectives of the Federal Ministry of Works.
Speaking on the Federal Government’s infrastructure agenda, the Minister of State said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had demonstrated strong commitment to improving road infrastructure across the country through major legacy projects and strategic interventions.
He cited the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and other strategic road corridors as evidence of the administration’s determination to improve connectivity, facilitate economic activities and promote national development.
He added that the adoption of concrete technology on selected major projects would contribute to the durability and longevity of Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
Goronyo called on Nigerians to continue supporting the administration’s development agenda, particularly its efforts to address infrastructure deficits and create an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth.
Earlier, Ojo explained that the ceremony was organised to formally honour and decorate Goronyo, who could not attend the institute’s earlier programme due to a flight delay.
He said the institute also selected Goronyo as one of its Youth Vanguard Ambassadors because of his commitment to youth development and leadership.
Ojo said the Youth Vanguard Programme was being developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to engage young Nigerians through intellectual, innovation and research challenges across tertiary institutions and among youths in the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states of the federation.
“We have a lot of talents in the field of innovation and research, but there is no bridge. We are trying to create that bridge through this programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development,” he said.
According to Ojo, the initiative would help young Nigerians develop their talents, create jobs, promote innovation and contribute meaningfully to the future of the country.
He added that the programme would operate at state, zonal and national levels, with plans for a national gathering to be officiated by the President and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
In accepting the Fellowship and professional induction, Goronyo pledged to uphold the principles of integrity, accountability, professionalism, human rights, inclusion and respect for the dignity of all persons.
He further committed himself to investing in human-capacity development and supporting the advancement of the management profession for sustainable and inclusive development.
The citation presented at the ceremony highlighted Goronyo’s extensive experience in public service, law, politics and youth mobilisation.
It noted his service in various capacities within the political and public service space, including at the local government level and within party structures, as well as his role in youth mobilisation during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.
The citation also highlighted his service across different arms and levels of government, including his appointment as Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation before his deployment to the Federal Ministry of Works as Minister of State.
The ceremony was attended by officials and representatives of the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership, members of the media and other invited guests.
