Kashim Shettima, known for his hard face and blunt talk has had his share of controversies. However, his political trajectory is examined as OrderPaper’s Esther Adedoyin writes on EX-NASS MEMBERS SERIES.
Kashim Shettima’s remarkable journey from political newcomer to Vice President of Nigeria stands as proof of his commitment to public service. Transiting from teaching to banking, Shettima joined politics and quickly rose through the ranks.
Born on September 2, 1966, Shettima went to the University of Maiduguri, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1989. He furthered his education at the University of Ibadan, obtaining a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1991. Transitioning to academia, Shettima served as a Lecturer at the University of Maiduguri from 1991 to 1993.
Shettima’s foray into politics commenced in 2007, after a successful career in banking, culminating in his role as a manager of one of the country’s big banks in Maiduguri. His political career effectively took off when he joined the state cabinet of Governor Ali Modu Sheriff in 2007, serving in five ministries under four years. In 2011, he clinched the governorship of Borno State, a position he was re-elected to in 2015.
As Governor, Shettima faced the daunting challenge of the Boko Haram insurgency, which escalated shortly after he assumed office in 2011. To combat this security threat, his government collaborated with the Nigerian Army to establish the Civilian Joint Task Force (Civilian JTF) in 2013. Shettima’s tenure was marked by a focus on reconstruction, rehabilitation, and resettlement efforts for victims of the insurgency.
At the end of his governorship, he was elected into the Senate to represent Borno Central senatorial district under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. He was picked as the running mate of President Bola Tinubu for the presidential election, which the duo won.
On May 29, 2023, Kashim Shettima was sworn in as Vice President of Nigeria. This pivotal moment marked the formal commencement of Shettima’s vice presidency as he assumed the role alongside President Tinubu.
