Brief Biography
His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima Mustapha is a man of many accomplishments, whose story is a testament to the profound influence of education, hard work, and the drive to serve the people. Born on September 2, 1966, in Maiduguri, Borno State, to the illustrious family of Alhaji Shettima Mustafa Kuttayibe, the Shettima Kawama Moworanma of Borno, and Hajja Nana Kujarima Shettima, a princess of the esteemed ElKanemi royal family, he embarked on his quest for knowledge at the Lamisula Primary School in Maiduguri, where he studied from 1972 to 1978.
Driven by an insatiable desire to learn, Senator Shettima subsequently enrolled at the Government Community Secondary School, Biu, from 1978 to 1980 and then proceeded to Government Science Secondary School, Potiskum, from 1980 to 1983, where he obtained his West African School Certificate Examinations (WASCE). He embarked on an odyssey of tertiary education at the University of Maiduguri, where he distinguished
himself and obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Agricultural Economics. In 1989, he commenced his mandatory National Youth Service and was assigned to the Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative Bank in Calabar, where he rendered his meritorious service for a year. His relentless pursuit of academic excellence persisted, as he proceeded to the University of Ibadan from 1990 to 1991, obtaining a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics.
With aspirations to explore the corporate realm, Senator Shettima commenced his foray in the Accounts Department of the defunct Commercial Bank for Africa in Lagos State between 1993 and 1997. He attained the position of Deputy Manager and later Manager at the African International Bank (AIB) Limited, Kaduna Branch from 1997 to 2001, before transferring his service to Zenith Bank as the Branch Head of the bank’s Maiduguri Office in 2001. Over time, he soared up the ladder to become General Manager at Zenith Bank five years after assuming the role.
In 2007, brimming with enthusiasm to contribute to his community, Senator Shettima left the banking sector and assumed the position of Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development in the Borno State Government. He went on to also take charge as Commissioner in the Ministries of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Education, Agriculture, and then Health under his would-be predecessor, Senator (Dr.) Ali Modu Sheriff.
Senator Shettima’s political journey took a decisive turn when he took part in the second ANPP governorship primaries in January 2011 after the assassination of the winner of the party’s earlier primaries, Engineer Modu Fannami Gubio. Ultimately, he emerged as the new ANPP flag-bearer for the governorship of Borno State and went on to win the general elections on April 26, 2011. He was subsequently re-elected for a second term in April 2015, during which period he functioned as the Chairman of the Northern Governor’s Forum. As Governor, he exhibited exceptional leadership during the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency, spearheading the humanitarian response in Borno State and actively coordinating and monitoring its performance, leading to global recognition of his visionary leadership.
During his tenure as Governor, Senator Shettima prioritized the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and resettlement of affected areas, establishing a ministry to oversee these interventions. He was equally devoted to promoting girl-child education, agriculture, primary healthcare, and women empowerment. Senator Shettima’s exceptional leadership qualities have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2014 Governor of the Year award from Leadership Newspapers and the 2015 Governor of the Year award from the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NewsWatch Times Newspapers, and Vanguard Newspapers.
Senator Shettima, who was elected to represent Borno Central under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019 and served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, rose to even greater heights when he was selected as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate in the highly-anticipated 2023 presidential election. Following the competitive election held last February, Senator Shettima emerged as the Vice President-elect of Nigeria and bound by the APC’s enduring promise to renew the hope of the nation.
Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima was sworn in as the Vice president, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2023, at a prestigious ceremony at the Eagles Square, Abuja.
His Excellency, Vice President Shettima is not only passionate about politics, but he is also a top-level table tennis player and a voracious reader. He is widely admired for his exceptional oratory skills and is fluent in Kanuri, Hausa, and English. He is happily married to Mrs Nana Shettima, and they have two daughters and a son.
