The Ministry of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria is part of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which manages Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Established in 2004, the FCTA oversees urban development, infrastructure, and public services within the FCT. The ministry is led by a Minister appointed by the President and supported by a Permanent Secretary.
Some of the core responsibilities of this ministry include providing effective governance, environmental management, and urban planning.
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List Of Ministers Of State Of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) In Nigeria From 2011 Till Date
No | Name | Term Of Office | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Olajumoke Akinjide | 2011-2015 | PDP |
2 | Senator Solomon Akku Ewuga | 2015-2019 | PDP |
3 | Ramatu Tijani Aliyu | 2019-2023 | APC |
4 | Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure | 2023-Present | APC |
Who Was The First Female Minister Of State Of Federal Capital Territory (FCT)?
The first female Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria was Olajumoke Akinjide. She is a politician from Oyo State, Nigeria, and was appointed to this position in 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Born on August 4, 1959, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Akinjide comes from a well-known political family. Her father, Chief Richard Akinjide, was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and served as Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
Growing up in such a family, Olajumoke Akinjide was exposed to politics and law early in her life. Akinjide attended prestigious schools, including King’s College London, where she earned her Law degree, and Harvard Law School, where she obtained a Master’s Degree in Law.
Her qualifications are impressive, as she achieved a First Class Honours in the English Solicitors Final Examinations, becoming a Barrister and Solicitor of both the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Before she was appointed Minister of State for FCT, Akinjide had already worked in different government positions. From 2001 to 2003, she served as a Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo, focusing on FCT matters and later working on issues relating to Nigerians in Diaspora.
In addition to her governmental experience, Akinjide has been involved in grassroots politics. She ran for a senate seat in 2011, representing the Oyo Central Senatorial District under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
During her time, Akinjide improved urban development, housing, and transportation systems, all of which are essential to the growth and success of Abuja as Nigeria’s capital.
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Who Is The New Minister Of State Of The Federal Capital Territory (FCT)?
The new Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria is Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, having been appointed in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
However, before this appointment, she was the Commissioner for Higher Education in Kano State. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure was born on January 15, 1978, in Bunkure town, Kano State.
Her early education took place in local schools, starting at Bunkure Primary School and moving on to Arabic Secondary School Tudun Wadan Dankade for her Junior Secondary School education.
She later completed her secondary education at Government Girls Science Secondary School in Garko. After completing secondary school, she attended the College of Arts and Remedial Studies in Kano, before attending Bayero University Kano at an advanced level.
Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure graduated from Bayero University Kano in 2005 with a degree in medicine. Following her graduation, she completed her house job at Murtala Specialist Hospital in Kano and did her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Plateau State at the National Meteorological Center.
Her career in medicine progressed further when she joined the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for her residency. After completing her residency, she became a member of the West African College of Physicians and was recognized as a consultant family physician.
In 2019, Bunkure was appointed as the Commissioner for Higher Education in Kano State by the state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Now, as the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure has taken on the responsibility of overseeing development and administration in the capital city, Abuja.