Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Name: Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Birthdate: October 21, 1956
Birthplace: Kwankwaso, Madobi LGA, Kano State, Nigeria
Occupation: Engineer, Politician
Who Is Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso?
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is a prominent Nigerian politician and engineer known for his significant contributions to the country's political landscape. He served as the Governor of Kano State from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2011 to 2015. Between his gubernatorial terms, he was appointed as Nigeria's first Minister of Defence in the Fourth Republic, serving from 2003 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Kwankwaso's political journey began in the early 1990s when he served as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He later became a Senator representing Kano Central from 2015 to 2019. In 2022, he founded the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) and was its presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, where he secured 6.4% of the national vote.
Beyond politics, Kwankwaso is the founder of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, a socio-political initiative symbolized by a distinctive red cap, representing his commitment to social equity and grassroots development.
Education and Early Career
Kwankwaso's educational background is rooted in engineering. He obtained both his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma from Kaduna Polytechnic. He furthered his studies in the United Kingdom, earning a master's degree in water engineering from Loughborough University in 1985. In 2022, he was awarded a PhD in water engineering from Sharda University in India.
His professional career began in 1975 with the Kano State Water Resources and Engineering Construction Agency, where he applied his engineering expertise to public service.
Personal Life
Kwankwaso is married to Salamatu Rabiu Musa, and together they have six children. He hails from a respected Fulani family; his father, Musa Sale Kwankwaso, held traditional titles and served as the District Head of Madobi.
