Lagos, Nigeria – Last May, Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) announced Aishatu “Binani” Dahiru as the winner of the governorship primary in the northeastern state of Adamawa, making her the only female flagbearer of any mainstream party in the governorship and state assembly elections.
The 51-year-old politician could also make history as the first elected female governor in Africa’s largest democracy on Saturday, when only 24 of the 416 candidates vying for office are women.
Aishatu “Binani” Dahiru is a Nigerian politician and businesswoman. She is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and is currently serving as the Senator representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate.
Binani was born on September 11, 1969, in Yola, Adamawa State. She attended primary and secondary school in Yola before proceeding to the University of Maiduguri, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
After graduating from university, Binani worked in the private sector for several years before venturing into politics. She was elected to the Adamawa State House of Assembly in 2011 and served as the Deputy Speaker of the House from 2015 to 2019.
In 2019, Binani was elected to the Nigerian Senate, representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District. She is a member of several Senate committees, including the Committee on Finance, the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), and the Committee on Women Affairs.
Binani is known for her advocacy for women’s rights and empowerment. She is also a strong supporter of education and has sponsored several bills aimed at improving access to education for girls and women.
In addition to her political career, Binani is also a successful businesswoman. She is the founder and CEO of Binani Group, a conglomerate with interests in construction, real estate, and agriculture.
Binani is a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and is considered a potential future leader of the country. She is known for her intelligence, charisma, and commitment to public service.
No woman has ever been elected as a state governor in Nigeria. However, there have been a few notable women who have held acting gubernatorial positions.
In 2006, Virginia Etiaba became the first female acting governor in Nigeria when she assumed the role of governor of Anambra State following the impeachment of Peter Obi. She served in this capacity for about three months.
In 2015, Florence Ita-Giwa was appointed as the acting governor of Cross River State for a brief period when the then-governor, Liyel Imoke, was away on medical leave.
These instances of women holding acting gubernatorial positions demonstrate the potential for female leadership in Nigeria, but the country has yet to elect a woman as a substantive governor.
It’s important to note that this information may be outdated, and there could have been developments since September 2021. I recommend checking more recent sources for the most up-to-date information on female governorship in Nigeria.
