Hadiza Bala Usman Becomes Nigeria’s First Female SGF

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), making her the first woman in Nigeria’s history to hold the powerful and strategic office.

The announcement, made on Friday, has been described as a landmark step in promoting gender inclusion and recognizing merit-based leadership in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Hadiza Bala Usman, born on January 2, 1976, in Zaria, Kaduna State, is a respected politician, technocrat, and reform advocate. She hails from the Fulani Sullubawa clan and is a great-granddaughter of the 10th Emir of Kano, Abdullahi Bayero.

A Track Record of Public Service

Usman’s public service career spans several high-profile positions. She served as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from 2016 to 2021, where she led significant reforms that improved transparency and increased revenue for the government.

She was also the first woman to serve as Chief of Staff in Kaduna State, working under Governor Nasir El-Rufai. Most recently, she held the position of Special Adviser on Policy Coordination to President Tinubu, playing a key role in aligning federal government policies and initiatives.

Advocate and Changemaker

Outside of her government roles, Hadiza Bala Usman is widely known for co-founding the Bring Back Our Girls movement in 2014, which drew global attention to the plight of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. Her advocacy for women’s rights and girl-child education has earned her respect across civic and political spaces.

She has also contributed to governance and reform through roles at the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Good Governance Group, where she served as Director of Strategy.

Family and Personal Life

Hadiza is married to Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, a renowned economist who previously served as Chief Economic Adviser to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. The couple has two sons.

Her appointment has drawn commendations nationwide, with many praising President Tinubu’s bold step in appointing a competent and visionary woman to such a critical role in government.

Observers say Hadiza Bala Usman’s elevation to SGF is not only a personal achievement but also a breakthrough moment for Nigerian women, signaling new possibilities in public leadership.