Bukola Saraki

**Abubakar Bukola Saraki** (born December 19, 1962) is a Nigerian politician, physician, and businessman who served as the 13th President of the Senate of Nigeria from 2015 to 2019. Previously, he served as the Governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011. Saraki is one of the most prominent and influential political figures in Nigeria, known for his long career spanning executive and legislative roles at the highest levels of government. **Early Life and Education** Bukola Saraki was born in London, United Kingdom, into the influential Saraki family of Kwara State, Nigeria. He is the son of Abubakar Olusola Saraki, a veteran Nigerian politician who served as a Senator of the Second Nigerian Republic and was known as the "Waziri of Ilorin." Saraki received his early education at King’s College, Lagos, from 1973 to 1978, and then attended Cheltenham College in the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1981 for his Higher School Certificate (HSC). He pursued medical training at the London Hospital Medical College of the University of London, where he obtained his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1987. After qualifying as a medical doctor, he worked as a medical officer at Rush Green Hospital, Essex, from 1988 to 1989. **Career Progression** Saraki returned to Nigeria and began his political career in 2000 when he was appointed as Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Budget. In this role, he was instrumental in establishing the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Debt Management Office (DMO). In 2003, Saraki successfully ran for Governor of Kwara State under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He was re-elected in 2007, serving two full terms until 2011. As Governor, he championed reforms in agriculture, healthcare, and education. Notably, his administration successfully transitioned the state’s agricultural sector by attracting dispossessed white farmers from Zimbabwe, leading to the creation of Shonga Farms. Following his tenure as Governor, Saraki was elected as a Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in 2011. During his first term in the Senate, he served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology. In 2014, Saraki defected from the PDP to become a founding member of the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC). He was re-elected to the Senate in 2015. **Major Achievements and Notable Works** Saraki’s most significant political achievement came in June 2015 when he was elected the President of the 8th Senate of Nigeria. His leadership of the Senate was marked by a focus on legislative reforms aimed at strengthening the National Assembly’s oversight functions. Key achievements during his career include: * **Senate Presidency (2015–2019):** Saraki oversaw the passage of key bills such as the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), the National Minimum Wage Act, and the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act amendment. * **Kwara State Leadership (2003–2011):** He pioneered the establishment of the Kwara State Diagnostic Centre and introduced reforms in primary healthcare. The Shonga Farms project remains a notable agricultural initiative. * **Political Leadership:** He is credited with leading the formation of the New PDP (nPDP) bloc that contributed to the historic opposition victory in the 2015 presidential election, resulting in the first democratic change of ruling parties in Nigeria.**Current Status** Bukola Saraki remains a high-profile figure in Nigerian politics and is a stalwart member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), having returned to the party in 2018. Although he did not secure re-election to the Senate in 2019 and was unsuccessful in his bid for the PDP presidential ticket in 2023, he continues to be an influential leader within the opposition. He is often engaged in national political discourse and party activities, occasionally being mentioned in speculations regarding future political alignments and his potential return to the All Progressives Congress. He continues to maintain a substantial presence on social media platforms, including Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), where he engages with national issues and constituents.