Ahmad Lawan

Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan is a Nigerian politician who served as the 9th President of the Senate of Nigeria and the Chairman of the National Assembly from 2019 to 2023. A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he has had a long and influential career in Nigeria's legislative arm of government. Early Life and Education Ahmad Lawan was born on January 12, 1959, in Gogaram, present-day Yobe State, Nigeria. He is a native of the Bade ethnic group. Lawan received his early education at Gogaram Primary School before attending Government Secondary School, Gashua, where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1979. He furthered his studies at the University of Maiduguri, earning a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Geography in 1984. Lawan then obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1990. He completed his academic journey by earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Remote Sensing and GIS from the University of Cranfield, United Kingdom, in 1996. Before entering politics, Lawan worked as a lecturer and researcher in various institutions. Career Progression and Political Ascendancy Lawan’s political career began in 1999 when he was elected as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Bade/Jakusko Federal Constituency of Yobe State under the platform of the All Peoples Party (APP), which later became the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He served two consecutive terms in the House from 1999 to 2007. In 2007, Lawan transitioned to the Senate, winning the election to represent the Yobe North Senatorial District. He was re-elected in 2011, 2015, and 2019, securing his position as one of the longest-serving members of the National Assembly. During his time in the Senate, he held several key leadership and committee roles, including Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, and later, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence. Notably, Lawan served as the Senate Majority Leader in the 8th Senate from 2015 to 2019. Major Achievements and Notable Works Ahmad Lawan's most significant political achievement came on June 11, 2019, when he was elected the President of the Senate, becoming the Chairman of the 9th National Assembly. His tenure as Senate President was marked by efforts to improve executive-legislative relations, resulting in the timely passage of crucial legislation. Key achievements during his presidency include: * **Return to the January-December Budget Cycle:** Lawan’s leadership prioritized legislative efficiency, ensuring the budget was passed quickly, restoring the nation's traditional budget cycle after years of delays. * **Passage of Landmark Legislation:** He oversaw the passage of several critical bills, including the landmark Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which reformed Nigeria's oil and gas sector, and the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022, which introduced significant changes to the electoral process. * **Constitutional Review:** Under his chairmanship, the Senate undertook significant constitutional amendment efforts, proposing several changes aimed at enhancing governance and decentralization.Current Status Following the conclusion of the 9th National Assembly in June 2023, Ahmad Lawan remains an influential figure within the APC and a key political leader from the North-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. He is currently serving as a Senator representing Yobe North Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, continuing his legislative service.