Bolaji Abdullahi
Bolaji Abdullahi | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 12, 1969 Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria |
| Occupation(s) | Public figure, journalist, author, politician |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Known for | Minister of Youth Development (2011), Minister of Sports (2011–2014), National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (2016–2018) |
| Notable work | Sweet Sixteen; On A Platter of Gold-How Jonathan Won and Lost Nigeria |
Bolaji Abdullahi Ganiyu (born 12 August 1969) is a Nigerian public figure, journalist, and author originating from Ilorin, Kwara State. He held ministerial positions in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, serving first as Honourable Minister of Youth Development starting in July 2011, and subsequently as Minister of Sports until 2014. Between 2016 and 2018, he was the National Publicity Secretary for the All Progressives Congress. Abdullahi is the author of Sweet Sixteen, which was selected by the JAMB/UME as a recommended reading for the years 2019–2020, as well as On A Platter of Gold-How Jonathan Won and Lost Nigeria. He has also pursued a senatorial seat representing Kwara Central Senatorial District.
Early life and education
Abdullahi commenced his primary education in Kontagora, Niger State, before completing it at Baraka LSMB Primary School in Ilorin in 1981. He briefly attended Iponrin Community Secondary School and finished his secondary schooling at Government Secondary School, Kwali Abuja in 1987. Following this, he undertook advanced studies at the Federal School of Arts and Sciences Suleja in 1988. He earned a Second-Class Upper bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in 1994. In 2001, Abdullahi was awarded a British Government Chevening Scholarship to study for a master’s degree in Governance and Development at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, graduating with Distinction in 2002. Additionally, he has completed executive programs on leadership and governance at institutions including Harvard Kennedy School, Theodore Heuss Institute (Germany), World Bank Institute (Washington DC), and Ashridge Business School (UK).
Career
Abdullahi began his journalism career in 1997 when he joined This Day newspapers as a reporter. After one year, he moved to the Africa Leadership Forum, an organization established by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, where he took on editorial responsibilities and coordinated democratic leadership training programs. He returned to This Day in 2001, advancing to Deputy Editor by 2003, during which time he contributed a weekly column on social and political issues and initiated the Development section.
His entry into public service started in 2003 as Special Assistant on Communication and Strategy to Kwara State Governor Dr. Bukola Saraki, later becoming Special Adviser on Policy and Strategy in 2005. From 2007 until 2011, Abdullahi served as Kwara State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, leading significant reforms including the launch of the Every Child Counts program that successfully reintegrated numerous children into public education. In July 2011, he was appointed to President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet as Minister of Youth Development before being assigned Minister of Sports. Under his leadership, Nigeria’s Super Eagles clinched the Africa Cup of Nations title after a 19-year hiatus and secured their fifth Under-17 World Cup championship.
In December 2016, Abdullahi was named National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, maintaining this position following his re-election at the party’s 2018 national convention. However, on August 1, 2018, he resigned from this role and defected to the People's Democratic Party.
In 2017, Abdullahi published Sweet Sixteen, a novel focusing on adolescent issues and parental involvement. The book was incorporated into Nigeria’s Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) general reading list for both 2019 and 2020 sessions. It received commendations for its contribution to youth development and literacy enhancement. He also authored the nonfiction title On a Platter of Gold: How Jonathan Won and Lost Nigeria, which explores President Goodluck Jonathan’s political journey.
On August 12, 2020, Abdullahi inaugurated the Bolaji Abdullahi Mentorship Programme (BAMP), designed as a six-month leadership and character development course aimed at Nigerian youths. The initiative has engaged prominent figures such as Seun Onigbinde from BudgIT and Maryam Uwais from the Vice President’s office among its facilitators.