List Of Niger State Governors And Their Deputies (1999-Present)
Niger State, located in north-central Nigeria, was created on February 3, 1976. It was formed when it was separated from the former Sokoto State.
However, this is the most comprehensive list of all the Governors who have served Niger State from 1999 till date, Including their Deputies:
Governor | Deputy Governor | Took Office | Left Office | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Abdulkadir Kure | Shem Zagbayi Nuhu | May 29, 1999 | May 29, 2007 | PDP |
Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu | Ahmed Musa Ibeto | May 29, 2007 | May 29, 2015 | PDP |
Abubakar Sani Bello | Ahmed Muhammad Ketso | May 29, 2015 | May 29, 2023 | APC |
Mohammed Umar Bago | Yakubu Garba | May 29, 2023 | Incumbent | APC |
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Who Was The First Governor Of Niger State?
The first military governor of Niger State was Murtala Nyako, who began his term in February 1976 and served until December 1977. Murtala Nyako was a Nigerian military officer born in 1943 in Adamawa State.
He joined the Nigerian Army in 1967 after finishing at the Nigerian Military Training College. Nyako held different military positions before being appointed as the military governor of Niger State.
During his time as governor, Nyako was responsible for setting up the new state’s government and creating its institutions. He worked on developing the state’s infrastructure and economy, which was essential since Niger State is the largest state in Nigeria by land area.
At the time of its creation, Niger State had about 2 million people living there. Nyako’s term as governor ended in December 1977, when a new government took over. He was succeeded by Malam Awwal Ibrahim, who became the first democratically elected governor of Niger State. Ibrahim served from October 1979 to December 1983 as a member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
After his time in Niger State, Nyako continued his military career and served as the Chief of the Naval Staff from 1978 to 1979. He retired from the military and later entered politics. In 1999, he became the governor of Adamawa State and served there until 2007.
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Who Is The Current Governor Of Niger State?
The current Governor of Niger State, Nigeria, is Mohammed Umar Bago. He began his term as governor on May 29, 2023, and he is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), taking over from Abubakar Sani Bello.
Bago was a member of the House of Representatives, and he represented the Chanchaga Federal Constituency. Bago was born on October 1, 1973, in Minna, the capital of Niger State. He has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Abuja.
However, his political career began in the early 2000s. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019. During his time in the National Assembly, Bago focused on youth empowerment, education, and improving infrastructure.
Bago has put a strong emphasis on developing agriculture. He wants to make Niger State a leading area for modern farming. His initiatives aim to boost local food production and reduce dependence on food imports.
His government is also working to improve infrastructure, healthcare, and education in the state. Recently, Bago has been making headlines for his efforts to control food prices and ensure food security.
He issued orders to limit the bulk purchase of food items from local markets to prevent price speculation. This measure was taken in response to rising food costs and public protests over economic difficulties in the region.
READ ALSO: List Of Governors Of Edo State And Their Deputies (1999-Present)
Who Is The Current Deputy Governor Of Niger State?
Yakubu Garba is the current Deputy Governor of Niger State, Nigeria, having begun his term on May 29, 2023, after being elected alongside Governor Mohammed Umar Bago.
Their victory came from a successful campaign in the 2023 gubernatorial elections. Garba was well-known as the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Niger State, and during his time with the NLC, he was recognized for his strong advocacy for workers’ rights and labor issues.
Yakubu Garba was born and raised in Niger State. He had his education from several institutions, which helped him build a career in public service and labor advocacy.
His dedication to enhancing the lives of workers was clear during his tenure with the NLC, where he worked hard to improve workers’ conditions and rights.
However, Garba’s political career took a step forward when he was chosen as the running mate to Mohammed Umar Bago in the 2023 elections. Their campaign addressed major issues in Niger State, such as security, education, and economic development.
