El-Rufai Clocks 65 Years Old

Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State and a key player in Nigerian politics just clocked 65 years old.

El-Rufai was Born February 16, 1960 in Daudawa, Katsina State. Since his involvement in politics, the former Governor has made a mark as a bold and reformist leader at state and national levels. His time in public office has been marked by reforms, infrastructure development and policies that boost economic growth and efficiency.

El-Rufai first came into national limelight when he was the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 2003 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo. During this period, he did massive urban development in Abuja, enforced strict land use policy, restored the master plan of the city and did demolitions of illegal structures. Controversial as it was, his policies improved the city’s infrastructure and urban planning. His leadership in the FCT prepared the ground for his future influence in governance.

In 2015, El-Rufai was elected Governor of Kaduna State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). From the start, he showed he was committed to restructuring the state’s economy and governance. One of his biggest achievements was the adoption of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in September 2015, which consolidated over 470 government accounts and recovered N24.7 billion for the state. The policy made transparency, blocked revenue leakages and improved financial accountability. His administration was also known for increasing Kaduna State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), making it one of the most economically viable states in northern Nigeria.

His time was also marked by big reforms to reduce the cost of governance. El-Rufai reduced the number of ministries from 19 to 14, cut down the number of commissioners from 24 to 15 and sacked redundant civil servants. He and his deputy took 50% salary cut to show they were committed to prudent management of resources. While some of these policies were resisted, they were seen as necessary for good governance.

Apart from financial reforms, El-Rufai invested in infrastructure, education and security. Under his administration, Kaduna State saw an increase in road projects, school renovations, and healthcare services. His government also worked to attract foreign investments, positioning Kaduna as an industrial and business hub.

As one of the founding members of the APC, El-Rufai was part of the formation of the party and its victory in the 2015 presidential election. His closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari and his influence in the party made him one of the most powerful people in the country. Even after he left office in 2023, his opinions and perspectives still shape discussions on governance and national development.