Editor DorisZamfara is a state in the northwestern region of Nigeria. Its economy thrives on agriculture, with crops like millet, sorghum, and maize. The state is also known for its mineral wealth, particularly in gold and other precious metals, which significantly contribute to its economy.
Amidst this, Zamfara is home to many industrious men who have achieved remarkable success in various sectors. While most of them focus on politics, they have amassed a lot of wealth for themselves in public service. Here, we will be looking at the top 10 richest men in Zamfara State and their net worth.
Top 10 Richest Men In Zamfara State
1. Kabir Garba Marafa
Kabir Garba Marafa is a Nigerian politician. He served as a senator from 2011 to 2019, representing Zamfara Central senatorial district in the Nigerian senate under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Before his senatorial tenure, Marafa participated in the 2007 primary elections in Zamfara state but lost. However, he later contested and won the senatorial seat in April 2011.
During his time in the Senate, Marafa held significant positions, including serving as the vice chairman of the Senate committee on petroleum downstream. He was re-elected for a second term in 2015 and actively supported the election of Senator Ahmed Lawan as Senate president. Marafa was known for his outspoken criticisms of political figures like Saraki. His dedication to public service was evident when he was appointed chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream in July 2016.
2. Alhaji Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari
Alhaji Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari is a prominent Zamfara state politician. He began his political journey in 1999 as the Secretary of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and later became the Chairman of ANPP Zamfara State. From 2003 to 2011, he represented the Anka/Talata Mafara Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Yari was elected Governor of Zamfara State in April 2011, initially under the ANPP and later under the All Progressives Congress (APC) after a merger of opposition parties. During his tenure, he served as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and implemented various developmental projects in the state. He also played a crucial role in the formation of caretaker committees and the management of party affairs during turbulent times.
3. Sahabi Alhaji Yaú
Sahabi Alhaji Yaú is another politician on our list of the richest men in Zamfara State. He began his political journey in 2007 when he was elected as a Senator representing Zamfara North district under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). During his time as a senator, he served on various committees focusing on important issues like Downstream Petroleum and Inter-Parliamentary Affairs.
Despite political shifts, he remained loyal to his constituents and his principles. In 2011, Yaú ran for re-election, this time under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and won convincingly with 118,056 votes. Throughout his tenure, he advocated for responsible budgeting, aiming to ensure that funds allocated to local projects were used effectively.
4. Dauda Lawal
Dauda Lawal is a Nigerian banker and politician. He began his career in 1989 as a political education officer before joining Westex Nigeria Limited in the same year. In 1994, he worked as an assistant consular officer at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C., USA. Lawal then joined First Bank of Nigeria Plc in May 2003, where he held various managerial positions until 2011.
During his tenure, he played a key role in implementing reforms for Islamic banking under the leadership of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the former Central Bank Governor. In 2014, Lawal contested for the position of MD/CEO of First Bank but lost by a thin margin. Later, he ventured into politics, aiming to become the APC gubernatorial candidate for Zamfara State.
As part of the G8 coalition, he challenged the incumbent governor’s authority and financially supported the group’s activities. Despite initial setbacks, Lawal’s perseverance paid off when he won the PDP primary in 2022 and subsequently emerged victorious in the 2023 gubernatorial elections, defeating the incumbent governor.
5. Bello Matawalle
Bello Matawalle is a former governor of Zamfara State. He began his career as a teacher before venturing into politics in 1998. Matawalle served as a commissioner in Zamfara State from 1999 to 2003, handling various portfolios such as Local Government, Environment, Rural Development, and Youth and Sports.
He then became a member of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2011, representing his constituents in Bakura/Maradun. Matawalle switched political parties during his tenure, moving from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In 2019, he was elected as the governor of Zamfara State, serving until 2023.
6. Ahmed Rufai Sani Yerima
Ahmed Rufai Sani Yerima is a Zamfara state politician who will always be remembered for his impactful career in Zamfara State. During his tenure as governor, he implemented a lot of reforms and development projects in the state. He began his journey in public service in 1983, working in Sokoto State’s civil service. In 1994, he became the Director of Budget in Sokoto’s Ministry of Finance before venturing into politics in September 1998.
Yerima’s political career peaked when he was elected as Zamfara State’s governor in 1999, serving two terms until 2007. Yerima’s influence extended beyond his role as governor. He represented Zamfara West constituency as a senator from 2007 to 2011, contributing to committees focused on various aspects of governance such as selection, federal character, anti-corruption, and agriculture. Despite his political aspirations for the presidency in 2007, he withdrew from the contest to support another candidate.
7. Colonel Jibril Bala Yakubu
Colonel Jibril Bala Yakubu served as the first Administrator of Zamfara State from October 1996 to May 1999. He assumed office during the military regimes of Generals Sani Abacha and Abdulsalami Abubakar. During his tenure, Yakubu played a pivotal role in the early development of Zamfara State, overseeing its transition from part of Sokoto State.
Notably, he implemented significant changes, including the creation of five Emirates and eleven new District Councils, which contributed to the administrative structure of the state. Yakubu’s leadership laid the foundation for Zamfara’s governance framework, setting precedents for subsequent administrations.
8. Alhaji Mamud Aliyu Shinkafi
Alhaji Mamud Aliyu Shinkafi is a former governor of Zamfara State. He was elected governor in 2007 under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) platform.
However, in 2008, he caused controversy by defecting to the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Shinkafi’s tenure as governor saw various developments and initiatives aimed at improving the state’s infrastructure and governance.
9. Tijjani Yahaya Kaura
Tijjani Yahaya Kaura is the current Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA). Before this role, Kaura served as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Additionally, he has experience as the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government (SSG), indicating his involvement in both national and state-level governance.
In terms of legislative duties, Kaura represents the Zamfara North constituency in the Nigeria National House of Assembly as a Senator. He was initially elected to this position in 2015 and secured re-election during the 2019 Nigerian general elections, both times under the ruling political party All Progressives Congress (APC).
10. Lawali Hassan Anka
Lawali Hassan Anka is a Nigerian politician who serves as a senator representing the Anka/Mafara constituency in the 9th National Assembly.
Anka began his political journey in the early 2000s. He has been actively involved in politics, focusing on representing the interests of his constituency.
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Conclusion
In this article, we have explored the lives and accomplishments of the top 10 richest men in Zamfara State.
While many have found success in the realm of politics, they have all contributed significantly to the growth of Zamfara State and Nigeria as a whole.