Mallam Umar Namadi, Jigawa State governor, whose entry into politics was driven by his deep concern for the welfare of his people and his determination to critical sectors of the state’s economy, is the choice for Governor of the Year 2024 by LEADERSHIP Group Limited.
Elected under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APC), Governor Namadi has displayed uncommon brilliance in harnessing the state’s resources for the common good of the people on the largest possible scale.
With over three decades of professional career, he has brought to bear on governance his extensive management experience across various sectors, including manufacturing, finance, public service, management consultancy and auditing.
Namadi holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Bayero University, Kano, earned in 1987 and 1997, respectively. He is a Chartered Accountant and a member of several professional bodies, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the Nigerian Institute of Management, and the Chartered Institute of Taxation. His areas of expertise encompass general financial management, auditing and investigation, corporate restructuring, and advisory services for both government and businesses.
His career in finance took a significant leap when he joined the National Board for Community Banks as a Principal Inspection Officer. He then transitioned to Kaduna Textiles Limited, serving in multiple capacities before moving to the Dangote Group of Companies. At Dangote, Umar Namadi rose from Assistant General Manager of Finance to Financial Controller of both the Dangote Sugar Refinery and the broader Dangote Group.
With these impressive credentials and a touch of righteousness, with the governor having come from a religious background, it is no wonder the state is witnessing significant development across diverse sectors.
Namadi and 25 other distinguished individuals and organisations who have made exceptional contributions to governance, business, social impact, and public service in Nigeria were nominated by the LEADERSHIP Newspapers’ Board of Editors after extensive deliberations at a meeting held in November 2024 at the company’s headquarters in Abuja.
Namadi and other nominees will be celebrated for their outstanding leadership, vision, and commitment to national development at the LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards ceremony scheduled to be held next year.
Alhaji Aliko Mohammad Dangote, Nigeria’s foremost industrialist and philanthropist, won the Person Of The Year Award for his immense contributions to the nation’s economy. His philanthropic efforts make him a deserving recipient of this highest honour.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike won the 2024 Quinquennial Award For Governance and Infrastructure, a rare recognition by the LEADERSHIP Group Limited.
Also, for the year 2024, apart from Namadi, five other state governors were jointly nominated for the award of Governor of the Year. The are Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State;
Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; Pastor Umo Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom; Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State; and Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke of Osun state.
The governors were recognised for driving sustainable growth, infrastructural development, and policy innovations in their respective states.
Adams Oshiomhole (CON), former Governor of Edo State, won the Politician of the Year award for his political influence in Edo State where he frontally led the campaign that led to the emergence of Governor Monday Okpehbolo as the governor, and advocacy for democratic growth in Nigeria.
The Business Person of the Year award was won by Benedict Peters, Founder and CEO of AITEO for massively investing in mining and hydrocarbons sector in Africa while Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji, GMD/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, clinched the Banker of the Year award for her role in transforming the banking industry.
Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR), Comptroller-General of Customs, emerged as the Public Service Person of the Year for his exceptional leadership in improving the efficiency of Nigeria’s Customs Service (NCS).
Other remarkable business leaders, including the CEO of NORD Automobiles Ltd, Oluwatobi Ajayi won the CEO of the Year award for thePrivate Sector) while Bamanga Usman Jada, MD/CEO of the Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority clinched CEO of the Year award for the Public Sector.
In other award categories, AVSATEL Communications Limited won the Company of the Year award, while ARCO Engineering Limited is the Oil & Gas Local Content Champion of the Year.
The Social Impact Person of the Year award will be presented to Olori Ivie Atuwatse III for her tireless efforts in championing education and healthcare initiatives. OPAY won the Fintech Company of the Year award for promoting financial inclusion in Nigeria, while Alternative Bank clinched the Most Innovative Bank of the Year award for its pioneering work in digital banking.
Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal will be honoured as Environmental Impact Person of the Year for his leadership in advancing environmental policies and addressing climate change.
The Outstanding Young Person of the Year 2024 award will go to ENACTUS team from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi. They are recognised for championing innovation and sustainability. Terra Cube will receive the Product of the Year award for its innovative solutions in sustainable living.
