Umar Usman Kadafur: A Visionary Leader Worth Emulating

By Abdullahi Musa Umar Usman Kadafur, a Nigerian politician and the current Deputy Governor of Borno State for the second time, is renowned ...

By Abdullahi Musa

Umar Usman Kadafur, a Nigerian politician and the current Deputy Governor of Borno State for the second time, is renowned for his exemplary leadership role throughout Borno State. Kadafur is recognized for his dedication to public service and his unwavering efforts to address the challenges faced by the state, particularly in the context of security and development.

Recently, Kadafur represented the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, at the National Stakeholders Workshop on Economic and Financial Inclusion held on April 25, 2024, at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja. The workshop, organized by the Office of the Technical Advisor to the President on Financial Inclusion (Office of the Vice President), was graced by the Vice President himself, Kashim Shettima. At the event, the Federal Government signed what it termed 'the Aso Accord for Economic and Financial Inclusion' with state governments and other key stakeholders in the private sector as part of efforts to actualize the delivery of financial services at affordable costs to all Nigerians, including those in disadvantaged and low-income segments of society.

Others present at the event included the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye; Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur; Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Umar Tafida, and heads of government agencies.

Kadafur's leadership style is often described as pragmatic and hands-on, as he actively engages with various stakeholders to tackle issues affecting the people of Borno State. He is known for his commitment to improving the lives of citizens, especially those affected by the insurgency in the region.

On May 29, 2019, Professor of Irrigation Engineering Babagana Umara Zulum was administered the oath of office as the 7th civilian Governor of Borno State alongside his Deputy, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, as the 8th democratically elected Deputy Governor. Kadafur, motivated by a single, simple, and powerful idea – to play a part in building a greater Borno, a state that is essentially an agrarian society – is now at the helm of deputizing the affairs of the state.

Umar Usman Kadafur, from Biu L.G., is 47 years old. He received his early education at Mbulamel Primary School, Biu, and later proceeded to Government Science Secondary School, Monguno, to obtain his Secondary School Leaving Certificate. His active involvement with the problems of his society, blended with his higher education in Public Administration, produced an effective leader in him.

Mr. Kadafur's political experience started when he contested for the position of Chairman, Biu L.G., and won the election. Thereafter, he was appointed as Caretaker Chairman in 2015 and re-appointed in 2018 by the administration of Kashim Shettima, a position he retained until he was elected as Deputy Governor of Borno State in March 2019. Mr. Kadafur is an efficient leader who leads with courage rather than trying to instill fear in the hearts of followers with his authority. He leads with fairness, understanding, and sympathy.

In addition to his political responsibilities, Kadafur is also recognized for his advocacy for peace and stability in Borno State. He has been involved in initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue and reconciliation among different communities, fostering unity and understanding in the region.

Kadafur is respected by all for his leadership qualities, dedication to public service, and his efforts to bring positive change to Borno State amidst challenging circumstances. He is very loyal to his principal, always ready to serve the people of Borno State. He is a philanthropist, continuously engaging in charitable work, which has placed him above his peers, signifying his ability to help his people on a larger platform.

Kadafur is seen as the best and most powerful Deputy Governor Borno ever had. He once served as the acting governor of Borno State. In 2021, the Borno State House of Assembly approved Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur to serve as acting governor from April 29 to May 19, 2021, upon Governor Babagana Umar Zulum’s request. Zulum allowed him to participate in many occasions attended by governors, enabling him to gain more experience in leadership.

He is indeed irrefutably a game changer, a hardworking and loyal gentleman, full of versatile knowledge, ideas, and experience in both the private and public sectors. In the last five years of their stewardship, he played a significant role as the number two citizen in Professor Babagana Umar Zulum’s administration to transform Borno State’s economy, reform public service, improve infrastructure, and meet Zulum’s expectations in human capital development and efficient transborder security architecture with neighboring countries of Chad, Niger, and Cameroon from 2019 to date.