Muhammad Kabir Nuhu-Koko
Muhammad Kabir Nuhu-Koko | |
|---|---|
| Born | Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria |
| Other names | Kabiru Nuhu-Koko, M.K. Nuhu-Koko |
| Occupation(s) | Civil engineer, public official |
| Years active | 1983–2019 |
| Known for | Long-serving official at Central Bank of Nigeria; President General of Unity Schools Old Students Association (2013–2015) |
Muhammad Kabir Nuhu-Koko, also referred to as Kabiru Nuhu-Koko or M.K. Nuhu-Koko, is a Nigerian civil engineer and long-serving public official. His professional journey began at the Federal Ministry of Works in Lagos between 1984 and 1989, after which he joined the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 1990. He advanced to the position of Deputy Director within the Procurement and Support Services Department before retiring in 2019. From 2013 to 2015, he held the position of president general for the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA).
Early life and education
Born in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria, Nuhu-Koko is the son of the late Alhaji Nuhu Balarabe Koko, an educationist who served as a permanent secretary in the Sokoto State Ministry of Education. Due to his father's career in teaching, his family relocated frequently during his upbringing.
Primary education
He completed his primary schooling at Turaki Primary School in Sokoto State between 1972 and 1977.
Secondary and higher education
In 1977, he enrolled at Federal Government College, Kano. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1983, followed by a Master of Science in Construction Technology in 1988.
Career
Nuhu-Koko launched his professional career as a building engineer during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) assignment with the Niger River Basin Development Authority (NRBDA) in Ilorin from 1983 to 1984. Subsequently, he served as a junior engineer at the Federal Ministry of Works in Lagos from 1984 until 1989. During this period, he contributed to research on utilizing palm kernel shells as concrete aggregates, which became foundational for his well-cited Master's thesis.
In 1990, he transitioned to the Central Bank of Nigeria and relocated to Abuja. Over more than three decades at CBN, he directed numerous construction initiatives and ultimately assumed leadership as Head of Projects Planning and Implementation within the Procurement and Support Services Department. This unit is responsible for overseeing major contracts, procurement activities, tenders, and construction projects for the bank. He took over this role from Edward Adamu.
Between 2013 and 2015, Nuhu-Koko was elected President General of USOSA. In this capacity, he championed increased financial support for federal government colleges (Unity schools), drawing attention to their deterioration and opposing any proposals for their closure. He also emphasized enhancing security measures for schools impacted by insurgency in northeastern Nigeria.
As Head of Projects at CBN, he managed the successful completion of several significant legacy projects under the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility programs. These included establishing Centers of Excellence at the University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.
On August 20, 2013, acting on behalf of then-CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Nuhu-Koko handed over intervention funds amounting to N10 billion to Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The allocation was intended to boost infrastructure development and cultivate skilled personnel aligned with Nigeria’s ambition to rank among the top 20 global economies by 2020 through strengthening financial sector capabilities.
Awards and honors
On January 31, 2016, Nuhu-Koko was honored with the Sir Alhaji Ahmadu Bello Sardauna Platinum Leadership Award by the Northern Youth Network. In addition, he received the Nigeria Arise Merit Award in 2013 for contributions toward 'Uplifting Nigerian Educational Standard'. He also holds the traditional title of Shettiman Koko in his native town of Koko.
Personal life
Nuhu-Koko was previously wed to the late Rabi Abdu Gusau, who was the daughter of Alhaji Abdu Gusau. Together, they had three children. In 1996, he entered into a second marriage with Hadiza Nuhu-Koko, and the couple has since had five children and four grandchildren.