Ireti Kingibe

**Ireti Heebah Kingibe** (born June 2, 1954) is a Nigerian politician and a distinguished civil engineer. She currently serves as the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Nigerian Senate. Her political career is marked by her advocacy for quality infrastructure, good governance, and dedicated representation for the residents of the FCT. **Early Life and Education** Ireti Kingibe was born in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, but hails from the Kogi State. Her early life instilled a strong work ethic and a commitment to public service. She pursued her tertiary education in the field of engineering, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota, United States, in 1978. Her technical background would later distinguish her as one of the few female engineers in Nigerian politics. **Career Progression and Notable Works** Kingibe began her professional career as a civil engineer, working on various infrastructure projects both internationally and in Nigeria. She transitioned into politics, bringing her expertise in infrastructure development to the public sector. Her early political involvement included running for office and advocating for improved standards of living in the FCT. Her career gained national prominence when she contested the Federal Capital Territory senatorial seat. She ran on a platform focused on addressing the unique governance and infrastructural challenges of Nigeria's capital territory, including urban planning, security, and representation for the indigenous populations and residents. **Major Achievements and Current Status** In the February 2023 general election, Ireti Kingibe secured a significant political victory, winning the election to become the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory on the platform of the Labour Party (LP). This made her the first female Senator to represent the FCT. Her election was widely viewed as a major disruption to the established political landscape in the FCT. As of her current status, Senator Kingibe is actively involved in legislative duties, focusing on bills and motions aimed at enhancing the governance and infrastructure of the Federal Capital Territory. She is recognized for her principled stance, often advocating for transparency and accountability in public spending and development projects within Abuja.