Yusuf Abdullahi Ata: Former classroom teacher, lawmaker becomes Tinubu’s minister-designate

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, nominated Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, as the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development.

Contents

Early Life and Education
Career Path
Political Trajectory

The minister-designate, who is expected to bring decades of experience in both the political and public service sectors, was born on June 22, 1962, in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State, Ata and has built a reputation as a dedicated public servant, educator, and economist.

Here are other things to know about Yusuf Abdullahi Ata:

Early Life and Education

Ata had his early education in his hometown, beginning at Fagge Primary School from 1968 to 1975. He furthered his studies at Aminu Kano Community Commercial College between 1975 and 1980, laying a foundation for his future career in economics and public service. The minister-designate earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Bayero University, Kano (BUK) in 1984 and later a Master’s degree in Development Studies in 2001.

Career Path

Ata’s professional journey began in the education sector as a classroom teacher. His career transitioned in 1992 when he joined the Kano State Ministry of Education, serving as an inspector in Business Education. His administrative capabilities were further recognised when he was appointed as Principal Planning Officer at the Kano State Housing Corporation in 1997. However, after a brief period, Ata left civil service in 1998 to pursue a career in politics.

Political Trajectory

Ata’s foray into politics began with his election to the Kano State House of Assembly in 1999, representing the Fagge constituency under the banner of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Though he lost his seat in the 2003 elections, his resilience saw him re-elected in 2011 and again in 2015, marking his third term in the state Assembly.

In 2015, Ata’s influence in the Assembly was solidified when he was appointed Majority Leader. His leadership culminated in his election as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly in 2017, following the resignation of his predecessor, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum.

However, Ata’s tenure as Speaker was short-lived; in July 2018, he was impeached by 27 out of 40 members of the Assembly, with claims that he was unable to effectively manage the affairs of the House. Despite these setbacks, his political career remained noteworthy.

In 2019, Ata contested once again in the general elections but was defeated by Tukur Muhammad of the PDP. Nonetheless, his vast experience in governance and development has made him a valuable asset in national politics.

With his nomination as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata brings a wealth of experience from both his academic background and his extensive political career. His knowledge of economics and development, coupled with his experience in legislative leadership, positions him as a key figure in addressing the challenges within Nigeria’s housing sector.

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