Nasir Elrufai is a Nigerian politician who has held various positions in both the federal and state levels of government. He was born on February 16, 1960, in Daudawa, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria.
Nasir Ahmad Elrufai is a Nigerian politician who currently serves as the Governor of Kaduna State. He was born on February 16, 1960, in Daudawa, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria. El-Rufai is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained a degree in Quantity Surveying.
El-Rufai’s political career began in 1998 when he was appointed as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, a position he held until 1999. He was later appointed as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2003, a position he held until 2007.
In 2015, El-Rufai contested for the position of Governor of Kaduna State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was elected. He was re-elected as Governor of Kaduna State in 2019.
As Governor, El-Rufai has implemented various policies aimed at improving the socio-economic development of Kaduna State. He is also known for his outspoken nature and has been a vocal critic of corruption and bad governance in Nigeria.
However, El-Rufai’s administration has also been criticized for its handling of security issues in Kaduna State, including the high rate of kidnappings and banditry in the state.
Overall, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai is a prominent politician in Nigeria who has served in various public positions. He is known for his contributions to the development of Kaduna State and his vocal stance on national issues.
ELRUFAI GOVERNOR OF KADUNA INCUMBENT
PERSONAL DETAILS
Born:
February 16, 1960, in Daudawa, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria.
Political party:
All Progressives Congress (APC)
Other political affiliations:
was a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) until 2010 when he joined the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which later merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Spouse:
Hadiza Isma El-Rufai
Education:
El-Rufai attended Barewa College in Zaria, Nigeria, before proceeding to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained a degree in Quantity Surveying in 1980.
Alma mater:
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
FAMILY
Nasir Elrufai is married to Hadiza Isma El-Rufai, and the couple has been together for over three decades. They have been married since 1985 and have been blessed with four children: three boys and one girl.
El-Rufai’s father, Alhaji Hamidu, was a renowned trader and businessman in Zaria, Kaduna State. His mother, Fatima, was a housewife who passed away in 2020 at the age of 80. El-Rufai also has several siblings, including Bashir El-Rufai, who is a popular social media influencer and writer.
Nasir Elrufai is a family man who has been married to his wife for many years and is blessed with four children.
EDUCATION
Nasir El-Rufai attended primary school in Daudawa, Katsina State, Nigeria. He then proceeded to attend secondary school at Barewa College in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
After completing his secondary education, he went on to study Quantity Surveying at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in 1980.
El-Rufai later attended Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) in 1999. He also attended the John F.
Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Public Policy (MPP) in 2000.
Nasir Elrufai is a highly educated individual who holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as well as Master’s degrees from Harvard University
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Nasir El-Rufai began his professional career as a Quantity Surveyor in Nigeria, working for several private firms. In 1984, he joined the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), where he worked as a Deputy Director before being appointed as the Director-General of the BPE in 1998. As the Director-General, he played a key role in Nigeria’s privatization program.
In 2003, El-Rufai was appointed as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. During his tenure as Minister, he implemented several reforms aimed at improving the development of the FCT, including the relocation of several communities in Abuja to create space for the development of the city.
After leaving office as Minister in 2007, Elrufai became a private citizen and continued to engage in various public activities. He is known for his contributions to the development of Nigeria, particularly in the areas of governance and public policy.
In 2015, he contested for the position of Governor of Kaduna State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was elected. He was re-elected for a second term in 2019.
Nasir Elrufai has had a distinguished professional career in Nigeria, working in both the public and private sectors. He is known for his contributions to the development of Nigeria, particularly in the areas of privatization, governance, and public policy.
EARLY POLITICAL CAREER
Nasir Elrufai early political career can be traced back to his appointment as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in 1998, where he played a key role in Nigeria’s privatization program.
His success in this role brought him to the attention of the then-president, Olusegun Obasanjo, who appointed him as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2003.
As Minister of the FCT, El-Rufai implemented several reforms aimed at improving the development of the city of Abuja, including the relocation of several communities to create space for the city’s development.
His reforms were widely praised for their effectiveness, and he was seen as a rising star in Nigerian politics.
After leaving office as Minister in 2007, El-Rufai became a vocal critic of the government of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, particularly in relation to the handling of the Niger Delta crisis. He was also critical of the government’s approach to tackling corruption and insecurity in the country.
In 2010, El-Rufai joined the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a political party that later merged with others to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He played an active role in the party’s campaigns during the 2011 and 2015 general elections, and was seen as a key member of the party’s leadership.
Nasir Elrufai early political career was marked by his role in the privatization program and his tenure as Minister of the FCT, where he implemented reforms aimed at improving the development of Abuja.
He later became a vocal critic of the government and played an active role in the formation and campaigns of the APC.
MINISTER OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY
Nasir El-Rufai served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 2003 to 2007 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. As Minister, he was responsible for the development of Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.
During his tenure, Elrufai implemented several reforms aimed at improving the city’s infrastructure, including the provision of new roads, water supply, and sanitation systems. He also initiated the construction of new public buildings and parks, including the Millennium Park, which is now a popular tourist attraction.
One of the major challenges El-Rufai faced as Minister was the issue of illegal settlements in Abuja. He launched a campaign to relocate illegal settlers from the city, a move that was controversial and generated opposition from some quarters. However, El-Rufai argued that the relocation was necessary for the development of the city and the provision of essential services to its residents.
El-Rufai’s tenure as Minister of the FCT was widely praised for his reforms and his efforts to improve the development of Abuja. His policies and programs have been seen as instrumental in transforming Abuja into one of Africa’s most modern and vibrant cities.
EXILE
In 2009, after leaving office as Minister of the FCT, Nasir Elrufai left Nigeria and went into self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom. His decision to go into exile was reportedly motivated by concerns for his safety, following his criticism of the government of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
While in exile, El-Rufai continued to speak out against the government, particularly in relation to its handling of the Niger Delta crisis and its approach to tackling corruption and insecurity in the country. He also became a regular commentator on Nigerian politics and current affairs, using social media and other platforms to express his views.
El-Rufai’s period of exile lasted for several years, during which time he remained a vocal critic of the government. ELRUFAI returned to Nigeria in 2010 and became involved in opposition politics, playing a key role in the formation and campaigns of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and later the All Progressives Congress (APC).
POLITICS
Nasir El-Rufai is a prominent Nigerian politician who has held several positions in government and played a key role in opposition politics.
After serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, El-Rufai became a vocal critic of the government of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He was also critical of the government’s approach to tackling corruption and insecurity in the country.
In 2010, El-Rufai joined the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a political party that later merged with others to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He played an active role in the party’s campaigns during the 2011 and 2015 general elections, and was seen as a key member of the party’s leadership.
In 2015, El-Rufai was elected as the Governor of Kaduna State, one of Nigeria’s 36 states. He was re-elected for a second term in 2019, in an election that was widely seen as a test of his popularity and leadership.
As Governor, El-Rufai has implemented several reforms aimed at improving the development of Kaduna State, including the construction of new roads, schools, hospitals, and other public infrastructure. He has also been vocal in his support for restructuring Nigeria’s federal system, arguing for greater devolution of powers to the states and local governments.
Moreover, Nasir Elrufai is seen as a key figure in Nigerian politics, particularly in the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). He is known for his outspoken views on a range of political and social issues and his reformist agenda for Kaduna State.
Governor of Kaduna State
Nasir El-Rufai was elected as the Governor of Kaduna State, one of Nigeria’s 36 states, in 2015, after running under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He was re-elected for a second term in 2019.
Since becoming Governor, El-Rufai has implemented several policies and programs aimed at improving the development of Kaduna State. He has prioritized education, healthcare, and infrastructure development, with a particular focus on improving access to quality education and healthcare for all citizens of the state.
One of El-Rufai’s major policy initiatives has been the reform of the state’s education system, with a focus on improving the quality of teaching and learning in public schools. He has introduced several reforms, including the recruitment of new teachers, the provision of new textbooks and teaching aids, and the establishment of new teacher training programs.
El-Rufai has also been vocal in his support for infrastructure development, including the construction of new roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure. He has launched several projects aimed at improving access to water and electricity in the state, and has worked to attract private investment to the state.
In addition to his focus on development and infrastructure, El-Rufai has also been a vocal advocate for political and economic reforms in Nigeria. He has called for greater devolution of powers to the states and local governments, and has advocated for a more diversified and productive economy that is less reliant on oil exports.
Overall, El-Rufai’s tenure as Governor of Kaduna State has been marked by his reformist agenda and his focus on improving the lives of citizens of the state. His policies and programs have been seen as instrumental in transforming the state and improving its development prospects.
Human Rights Concerns
Nasir El-Rufai’s administration in Kaduna State has been criticized for its human rights record. In particular, there have been concerns raised about the treatment of political opponents and members of the media.
In 2019, the Nigerian government charged journalist Jones Abiri with terrorism, accusing him of links to militants in the Niger Delta. Abiri, who had been detained for over two years without trial, was eventually released following international pressure.
There have also been concerns about the detention of opposition figures and activists. In 2019, the government arrested Omoyele Sowore, a prominent activist and opposition leader, on charges of treason. Sowore was released on bail after several months in detention.
In addition, there have been reports of extrajudicial killings by security forces in Kaduna State. In 2018, the government launched a military operation in the state aimed at combating banditry and other forms of criminal activity. However, there have been reports of abuses by security forces, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings.
The Kaduna State government has denied any wrongdoing and has defended its record on human rights. However, human rights organizations have called for greater accountability and transparency, and have urged the government to address these concerns.
AWARD
Nasir El-Rufai has received several awards and recognitions for his work in public service, including:
African Governor of the Year 2019: El-Rufai was named African Governor of the Year by the African Leadership Magazine in 2019 for his achievements in governance and leadership.
Zik Prize for Good Governance 2018: El-Rufai received the Zik Prize for Good Governance in 2018 for his contributions to good governance and development in Nigeria.
Outstanding Governor of the Year 2017: El-Rufai was named Outstanding Governor of the Year by the Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ) in 2017.
Vanguard Governor of the Year 2016: El-Rufai was named Vanguard Governor of the Year in 2016 for his efforts in promoting good governance and development in Kaduna State.
The Balmoral Award 2016: El-Rufai was awarded The Balmoral Award in 2016 in recognition of his contributions to public service and governance in Nigeria.
These awards and recognitions are a testament to Elrufai commitment to public service and his efforts to promote development and good governance in Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole.
