Profile of Aminu Masari, new Chairman of TETFund

Aminu Bello Masari, a Nigerian politician and former Governor of Katsina State, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) by President Bola Tinubu.

Prior to this appointment, he was the Commissioner for works, housing and transport Katsina state from 1991 to 1993 and the speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007.

Background

Masari hails from Masari village of Kafur local government area of Katsina State, he was birthed on May 29th, 1950.

Aminu Masari’s educational journey began at Kafur/Malumfashi Primary School. He later attended Government Secondary School in Funtua, where he obtained his West African Senior School Certificate.

His thirst for knowledge led him to the Assistant Works Superintendent (AWS) Training School in Kano, followed by Middlesex Polytechnic in London, where he earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Water Quality Control and Management in 1982. Additionally, he attended the Administrative Staff College in Badagry, further enhancing his qualifications.

Career in Civil Service

Masari’s professional career began in the civil service at the Katsina State Ministry of Works.

Starting as a Technical Assistant (Hydrology) in 1969, he demonstrated remarkable dedication and skill, eventually rising to the position of Assistant General Manager (Operations) at the Katsina Water Board by 1991.

Political career

Masari’s foray into politics began when he served as the Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transport in Katsina State from 1991 to 1993.

His leadership acumen shone brightly when he became the Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007, representing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

In 2011, Masari contested for the governorship of Katsina State under the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), but faced defeat against the PDP’s Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

Undeterred by this setback, he regrouped and emerged as the governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2014.

His determination paid off when he won the Katsina State Governorship election on April 11, 2015, and was sworn in on May 29 of that year.

During his tenure as governor, Masari took bold steps to reshape local government structures, dissolving all chairmen affiliated with the previous party. This decision sparked legal challenges but showcased his commitment to reform.

His resilience was evident when he successfully campaigned for a second term in the March 9, 2019 gubernatorial election, winning decisively with over a million votes.

Private Life

Aminu Bello Masari is a devout Muslim and is married to three wives, with Hajiya Binta being particularly visible during his campaigns.

He has faced personal tragedies, including the loss of his son, Kamaludeen Aminu Bello Masari, to sickle cell anemia, and his elder brother, Shamsudeen, who died in an auto crash in Katsina city.