Halima Shehu is a Nigerian politician and banker who currently serves as the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), a position she assumed on 18 October 2023. She has had a diverse career, with experience in banking and various political roles. She is also a mother of four children and a wife of a prominent businessman.
Birthday, Education
Halima Shehu was born in Kafin Dagi village, Katsina, Katsina State, on March 12, 1978 (age: 45 years, as of 2023). She is the third child and the only daughter of her parents, who were both farmers. She grew up in a humble and religious family, and attended the local primary school in her village. She was a bright and ambitious student, who always dreamed of becoming a banker.
Shehu completed her primary education in 1989 and proceeded to the Federal Government College, Kaduna State, for her secondary school education. She obtained her West African Examination Certificate in 1994, with excellent grades in English, Mathematics, Economics, and Government. She was also active in extracurricular activities, such as debating, drama, and sports.
Halima Shehu gained admission to the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, in 1995, where she studied English Language. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1999 and was awarded the best-graduating student in her department. She also served as the president of the English Students Association and the editor of the campus magazine.
She furthered her education by enrolling for a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy at ABU, Zaria, in 2000. She completed her program in 2002 and wrote a thesis on the role of women in peacebuilding and conflict resolution in Africa. She also participated in several seminars, workshops, and conferences on international relations, human rights, and development.
Halima Shehu Wiki/Bio
| Name | Halima Shehu |
| Date of birth | 1978 |
| Place of birth | Kafin Dagi village, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria |
| Ethnicity | Hausa |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Religion | Islam |
| Education | B.A. in English Language, M.A. in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria |
| Occupation | Politician, banker, social protection expert |
| Current position | National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) |
| Previous positions | Director of Finance and Administration at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development; National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (CCTP); Senior Special Assistant to the former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema; Regional Manager at Unity Bank; Branch Manager at Intercity Bank; Project Officer at the Afri-Project Consortium under the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) |
| Awards and recognitions | The Banker of the Year Award by the Nigerian Banking Awards in 2009; The Woman of Excellence Award by the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) in 2012; The Leadership Award by the African Leadership Magazine in 2018; The Social Protection Champion Award by the World Bank in 2020; The Most Influential Woman in Nigeria Award by the Forbes Africa in 2021 |
| Links | Twitter- @MrsHalimaShehu Homepage- Newsunzip |
Career and Politics
After her education, Halima Shehu completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Afri-Project Consortium under the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) in 2003. She worked as a project officer, overseeing the implementation of various social and infrastructural projects across the country. She also developed her skills in project management, monitoring and evaluation, and report writing.
Shehu began her 10-year banking career in 2004, when she joined the former Intercity Bank as a customer service officer. She rose through the ranks to become the branch manager of the bank in 2007. She was responsible for managing the daily operations of the branch, ensuring customer satisfaction, and meeting the set targets. She also supervised a team of 15 staff members and handled the branch’s budget and accounts.
She moved to Unity Bank in 2008, where she worked as the head of the funds transfer unit. She was in charge of facilitating the smooth and secure transfer of funds between the bank and its customers, as well as other banks and financial institutions. She also ensured compliance with the regulatory and ethical standards of the banking industry. She was recognized for her efficiency, professionalism, and integrity.
Shehu joined Access Bank in 2010, where she worked as the head of the clearing unit. She was responsible for processing and clearing cheques and other instruments presented by the bank’s customers and other banks. She also liaised with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) to resolve any issues or disputes arising from the clearing process. She was commended for her accuracy, speed, and problem-solving skills.
She left the banking sector in 2014 when she decided to pursue her passion for politics and public service. She joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and contested for the House of Representatives seat for Katsina Central Constituency in the 2015 general elections. She ran on a platform of youth empowerment, women’s inclusion, and social development. She lost the election to the incumbent, Aminu Ashiru, of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Halima Shehu did not give up on her political aspirations and was appointed in 2016 as a Senior Special Assistant to the former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema. She also served as a member of the state’s Internal Revenue Board, where she contributed to the improvement of the state’s revenue generation and tax administration. She also initiated and executed several projects and programs for the benefit of the people of Katsina State, especially the women and the youth.
She also represented Nigeria in the international arena, as she was appointed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a presidential election observer in Cape Verde in 2016. She was part of the team that monitored and reported on the conduct and outcome of the election, which was won by Jorge Carlos Fonseca of the Movement for Democracy (MpD).
Shehu joined the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in 2017, as a director of planning, research, and statistics. She was responsible for coordinating and overseeing the planning, research, and statistical activities of the ministry and its agencies. She also provided policy advice and guidance to the minister and other stakeholders on humanitarian, disaster, and social development issues.
She was appointed as the National Coordinator of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program in 2019, a position she held until 2023. The CCT program is one of the components of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), which aims to provide cash transfers to the poorest and most vulnerable households in Nigeria, as well as build their human capital through health and education interventions. She used her banking and career expertise to see to the digitalization of the program, which improved its efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
She also expanded the coverage and impact of the program, reaching over 10 million beneficiaries across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). She described this as her biggest achievement.
Halima Shehu was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari as the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) in September 2023. The NSIPA is a new agency established by the federal government to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the NSIP, which comprises the CCT, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP), and the N-Power Programme.
She was confirmed by the Senate on 18 October 2023 and assumed office on 1 November 2023. She is the first woman to head the agency and has vowed to continue to improve and innovate the social investment programs in Nigeria.
Height, Weight
- Height: around 5 ft 5 in or 165 cm
- Weight: around 60 kg or 132 lbs
- Eye color: dark brown
- Body measurements: around 36-28-38 in or 91-71-97 cm
- Skin color: light brown
Tinubu Sacks NSIPA Boss Halima Shehu over Alleged N17 Billion Fraud
President Bola Tinubu has sacked Halima Shehu, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), over alleged mismanagement of funds. Tinubu has appointed Samuel Egbuwalo, a former director of the agency, as the acting coordinator.
According to a statement issued by the presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, on Tuesday, Tinubu decided after receiving a report from the Auditor-General of the Federation, which indicted Shehu of embezzling N17 billion from the agency’s account. The statement said that Halima Shehu failed to account for the money, which was meant for the implementation of various social investment programs, such as the Conditional Cash Transfer, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, and the N-Power Programme.
The statement added that Tinubu has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute Shehu and anyone found to be involved in the fraud. Tinubu also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, which supervises the NSIPA, to conduct a comprehensive audit of the agency’s operations and finances.
The statement further said that Tinubu has expressed his disappointment and displeasure with Halima Shehu’s conduct, which he described as a betrayal of public trust and a sabotage of his administration’s efforts to alleviate poverty and improve the welfare of Nigerians. Tinubu said that he would not tolerate any form of corruption or indiscipline in his government, and vowed to hold anyone found culpable accountable.
Adadama village witnessed history with 15,000 residents celebrating HM @edu_betta first homecoming. Songs of gratitude to President Tinubu filled the air as 2,200 locals received empowerment. Traditional rulers express confidence, highlighting Edu's humanitarian legacy. pic.twitter.com/mEcBfA8lvi
— Mrs Halima Shehu ( CEO NSIPA) (@MrsHalimaShehu) January 1, 2024
Halima Shehu who was appointed as the NSIPA boss in October 2023, has not reacted to the allegations or her suspension. She is currently in the custody of the EFCC, where she is being interrogated. She a former banker and politician, was hailed as a social protection champion and one of the most influential women in Nigeria before her fall from grace. She was credited with the digitalization of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, the largest social protection program in Africa, which covers over 1.6 million households across the country.
Personal Life
Halima is married to, a successful businessman and philanthropist. They got married in 2006, and have four children: two sons and two daughters. She is a devoted Muslim and a loving mother, who balances her career and family life. She enjoys reading, traveling, and cooking.
Shehu is also a role model and a mentor to many young women and girls, especially in her home state of Katsina. She is involved in several initiatives and organizations that promote the education, empowerment, and welfare of women and girls in Nigeria. She is the founder and chairperson of the Halima Shehu Foundation, a non-governmental organization that provides scholarships, skills training, and microfinance to women and girls in rural areas. She is also a patron of the Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), a network of female politicians and activists that advocates for increased women’s participation and representation in politics and governance.
Awards
Shehu has also received several awards and recognitions for her outstanding performance and contributions to the banking sector, the political arena, and the social development sector. Some of the awards she has received include:
- The Banker of the Year Award by the Nigerian Bankers’ Association in 2009
- The Woman of Excellence Award by the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund in 2015
- The Leadership Award by the African Leadership Magazine in 2018
- The Social Investment Champion Award by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2020
Net Worth
| Year | Net worth (in USD) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $1 million |
| 2022 | $1.2 million |
| 2023 | $1.5 million |
