Born on September 23, 1960, in Koyar Getso of Kano State’s Old Gwarzo Local Government, Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo made a name for himself in the political arena. As a former Deputy Governor of Kano State and a one-time Gubernatorial candidate for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), he has left an indelible mark on Nigerian politics.
Starting at Gwarzo Day Primary School, Gwarzo acquired his primary school certificate in 1977. He then furthered his education at Kano State’s Science Education Project Science Secondary School in Dawakin Kudu, earning his senior secondary certificate in 1982. His pursuit of higher education led him to the esteemed Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Here, he specialized in Textile Engineering and secured a Bachelor of Science (Tech) degree by 1988.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) beckoned in 1988, and Gwarzo served at Asaba Textile in the Old Bendel state until 1989. This experience enhanced his practical knowledge of textile engineering.
After his NYSC tenure, Gwarzo dived into the political tides of the third republic, initially aligning with the Social Democratic Party (SDP). His political prowess was evident when he clinched the Chairmanship of Gwarzo local government in 1991. Subsequently, he held the esteemed position of the Executive Chairman of Gwarzo Local Government Council multiple times and was the Special Adviser to Kano State’s Executive Governor in 2007.
That same year, the ANPP recognized his value, selecting him as Deputy Governorship candidate alongside Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. Their combined efforts saw a victory, with Gwarzo serving as Deputy Governor till 2011. His tenure was marked with significant projects, notably overseeing Kano’s water resources ministry and initiating the Watari waterworks project. These achievements earned him the nickname ‘RUWA BABA.’
Transitioning to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) later, he aimed for the Gubernatorial seat in 2011 but couldn’t clinch the victory.
Since April 2021, Gwarzo has been leading the Federal College of Education, Zaria, as the Chairman Governing Council. His continuous efforts and dedication haven’t gone unnoticed. In July 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognized his capabilities, nominating him as a ministerial candidate. Subsequently, on August 16, 2023, Gwarzo was appointed Minister of State, Housing, and Urban Development of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
As Abdullahi Gwarzo’s journey unfolds, his dedication to serving Nigeria remains unwavering.
