The Nigerian political space has become a very interesting one since the commencement of this fourth republic in 1999, with many commentators express their regret on lack of progress.
One of the major challenges the country is facing has always been the recruitment process for the political leaders at the Federal level and the sub nationals with many of them demonstrating lack of capacity as well as unwillingness to cater to the needs of the people they govern.
There has been a lot of agitation for the more participation of private sector leaders or technocrats in politics, either for elective offices or appointments into political offices due to the perceived failures of the typical professional Nigerian politicians.
Nigeria’s economic setup is largely shaped by its private sector, which accounts for over 80% of GDP and employment.
Private sector leaders are increasingly showing more interest in Nigerian politics, often through partnerships with government, funding initiatives, advocacy for specific policies, appointments into public offices or even actively contesting for elective positions.
This trend points to paradigm shift in Nigerian politics, where technocratic credentials and private sector experience are gaining appeal among voters and party powerbrokers alike.
For these set of politicians, decades spent navigating market volatility, managing enterprises, and driving capital investment have become assets in addressing Nigeria’s fiscal and governance challenges.
This list highlights Nigerian current state governors who came from the private sector, detailing their professional journeys
Mohammed Umar Bago is a Nigerian banker and politician who is the current governor of Niger State since 29 May 2023. He was born in Minna, Niger State, to a Nupe family. He was a member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from Niger State representing Chanchaga Federal Constituency.
Mohammed Bago emerged the winner of the 2023 gubernatorial elections in Niger State after defeating Isah Liman Kantigi of PDP.
Born in 1974, Hon. Umar Bago attended Marafa Primary School, Minna and Federal Government College, Jos.
He earned his West Africa School Certificate from the WAEC. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto. Hon. Umar Bago has obtained several postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees, including a postgraduate diploma in management from the Federal University of Technology Minna in 2001, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in economics at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, in 2003, and a master’s degree in finance at University of Calabar in 2005. He is also a distinguished alumnus from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom in 2014.
Bago worked with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), First City Monument Bank (FCMB), and Afri-Bank PLC respectively. He served as manager at First City Monument Bank. He officially joined politics in 2007.
He contested for the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria coming second to Femi Gbajabiamila in the 9th National Assembly.
He chairs the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration.
He won the APC gubernatorial primary elections in Niger state ahead of the 2023 general elections. He became the winner of the gubernatorial election after pulling a total of 469,896 votes to his closest rival Alhaji Isah Liman Kantigi who got 387,476 votes.
Bago is married with children. His mother, Hajiya Aisha Mohammed, died on 1 June 2019 after a brief illness. To improve the educational quality of his constituency, he bought 1000 forms of JAMB to his people and also distributed 11 trailer loads of rice to his constituency as a palliative during Covid-19 pandemic period.
