Dauda Lawal Dare
Governor, Zamfara State
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Biography & Profile
Bio Summary
Dr. Dauda Lawal is the Governor of Zamfara State. He was elected in the 2023 gubernatorial election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), becoming the first PDP governor in Zamfara since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. In a major political development, he later defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), aligning with the ruling party at the federal level. A former banking executive and diplomat, Lawal unseated incumbent governor Bello Matawalle in a historic election. His administration emphasizes security, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and youth empowerment. Widely regarded as a technocrat with global exposure, he represents a shift toward competence-driven governance in a state long challenged by insecurity and underdevelopment.
Education
- B.Sc. (Political Science), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1987)
- M.Sc. (Political Science / International Relations), Ahmadu Bello University (1992)
- Ph.D. in Business Administration, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
- Completed executive education at Harvard Business School, Oxford University Business School, London School of Economics, and Lagos Business School
Professional Background
- Political Education Officer, Agency for Mass Mobilization for Social & Economic Reliance (MAMSER) (1989)
- Assistant General Manager, Westex Nigeria Limited
- Assistant Consular Officer and Chief Protocol Officer, Embassy of Nigeria, Washington D.C. (1994–2000)
- Career banker at First Bank of Nigeria Plc: progressed from Relationship Manager to Executive Director, Public Sector North (appointed 2012)
- Awarded multiple internal merit awards at First Bank