Profile of Tinubu’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu

Abubakar Atiku Bagudu CON, born on December 26, 1961, is a Nigerian politician with a prominent role in Kebbi State’s political landscape. He served as the governor of Kebbi State from May 2015 to May 2023 and has been involved in both federal and state-level political activities. Despite his political achievements, Bagudu has faced controversy and allegations of corruption related to his association with former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha.

Early Life and Education: Hailing from a well-off family, Bagudu’s father held the position of director of Primary Education in Kebbi. Bagudu pursued his education diligently, earning a BSc in Economics from Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto. He furthered his academic pursuits with an MSc in Economics from the University of Jos and an M.A. in International Affairs. He is married to Zainab Bagudu, who is recognized as the First Lady of Kebbi State.

Political Journey: Bagudu entered the political arena by succeeding Adamu Aliero as the Senator for the Kebbi Central constituency of Kebbi State. In the 2011 elections, he secured victory for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with 173,595 votes. During the 2015 General Elections, he shifted his allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and won the gubernatorial seat in Kebbi State.

In the Kebbi State gubernatorial election held on March 9, 2019, Bagudu triumphed with 673,717 votes, showcasing his popularity and political prowess.

Looking ahead, Bagudu has also secured the APC ticket for the Kebbi Central Senatorial election scheduled for 2023.

Ministerial Role and Recent Developments: In a significant political move, Bagudu was appointed as the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning by President Bola Tinubu on August 16, 2023, showcasing his continued influence and involvement in Nigeria’s government.

Allegations of Corruption: Despite his political achievements, Bagudu has been implicated in multiple investigations involving corruption during the regime of former Nigerian military ruler Sani Abacha. Bagudu’s association with Abacha, who was accused of embezzling over $2.2 billion of public funds during his presidency, has raised concerns about his financial activities.

Bagudu was arrested in 2003 in Houston, Texas, and extradited to Jersey for allegedly setting up a shell company named Doraville Properties to launder funds stolen from Nigeria. A settlement was eventually reached, requiring Bagudu to return $160 million of stolen money in exchange for deportation to Nigeria for trial.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s allegations in 2014 implicated Bagudu and others in embezzlement, misappropriation, and money laundering through U.S. financial institutions. Despite these allegations, Bagudu was not questioned upon his return to Nigeria.

Recognition and Awards: In October 2022, Bagudu was honored with the Nigerian national honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), conferred upon him by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Controversy and Offshore Holdings: Bagudu’s name appeared in the 2021 Pandora Papers, revealing his alleged involvement in hiding wealth through offshore shell companies.

Despite his political accomplishments, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu remains a figure marked by controversy and allegations of financial impropriety, raising questions about his legacy and impact on Nigeria’s political and economic landscape.