Background
Bukola Saraki was born on 19 December 1962 to the family of Olusola Saraki, a senator (1979 – 1983) and a one time Senate Leader of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his mother Florence Morenike Saraki
Bukola Saraki was born on 19 December 1962 to the family of Olusola Saraki, a senator (1979 – 1983) and a one time Senate Leader of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his mother Florence Morenike Saraki
Saraki attended Corona School, Lagos from 1966 to 1972 for his primary school education. Thereafter, he attended King's College, Lagos, from 1973 to 1978, and Cheltenham College, Cheltenham, London from 1979 to 1981 for his High School Certificate. He then studied at the London Hospital Medical College of the University of London from 1982 to 1987, when he obtained his M.B.B.S (London).
Bukola Saraki began his career as a Medical Officer at Rush Green Hospital, Essex from 1987 to 1988. From 1988 to 1989, he worked as a Senior Casualty Officer at Royal Free Hospital, London. A young Dr. Saraki decided to return to Nigeria in 1989 where he worked in the financial sector for nearly a decade until he rose to the position of Executive Director where he oversaw corporate development and expansion programmes within the financial industry. He then worked for the Federal Government of Nigeria as Special Assistant to the President on Budget from 2000 to 2001. He worked for the Federal Government of Nigeria as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Non-Oil Revenue Generation from 2000 to 2001. Dr. Saraki equally initiated the Fiscal Responsibility Bill and served on the Economic Policy Co-ordination Committee, where he was responsible for the formulation and implementation of key economic policies for Nigeria.
In 2003, Saraki ran for the office of governor of Kwara State on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and won. He was sworn into office in May 2003. He ran again for re-election in 2007 and won his second term. As governor of Kwara, he led reforms in agriculture, health, education, finance and environment policy. His charisma among his fellow governors got him appointed chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum.
After two term tenure as governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki ran for the office of Senator, representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District. He won, succeeding his sister, Gbemisola Saraki-Forowa. He was appointed as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology and is also a member of the Senate Committee on Capital Markets and Finance. He pushed a motion in the Senate to end the fuel subsidy regime in Nigeria, which has been an excessive waste of the country’s national resources.
After his re-election in the 2015 general elections, Saraki was on 9 June 2015 elected unopposed as President of the Senate by an across the party alliance comprising PDP and APC Senators. Saraki had faced stiff opposition from Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan who was a preferred candidate by a group of senators-elect within the APC. His deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, emerged after a tightly contested election using a forged senate standing order.
Senator Bukola Saraki and a delegation of Senators visited Maiduguri, Borno State on 3 August 2015 to get an on-ground assessment of the damage done in the north-eastern part of Nigeria by terrorist group Boko Haram and to give hope to internally displaced persons. The delegation was the first of its kind by the leadership of the Senate since the insurgency began.
The Code of Conduct Bureau cited a 13-count charge of corruption against Mr. Saraki. In charge number ABT/01/15, dated September 11, 2015 and filed before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Saraki is accused of offences ranging from anticipatory declaration of assets to making false declaration of assets in forms Saraki had filed with the Code of Conduct Bureau while he was governor of Kwara state. He was also accused of failing to declare some assets he acquired while in office as governor, acquiring assets beyond his legitimate earnings, and accused of operating foreign accounts while being a public officer.
An official of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Peter Danladi, stated in a court affidavit that the investigation of the various petitions of corruption, theft, money laundering, among others, against Saraki in 2010, was conducted jointly by the officials of the EFCC, CCB and the DSS. “The EFCC conducted its investigation on the various petitions and made findings which showed that the defendant/applicant abused his office, while he was the governor of Kwara State and was involved in various acts of corruption as the governor of the state. The defendant/applicant borrowed huge sums of money running into billions from commercial banks, particularly Guaranty Trust Bank, and used the proceeds of the loan to acquire several landed properties in Lagos, Abuja and London, while he was the governor of Kwara State.
Bukola Saraki believes that religious tolerance and better understanding is key to a united Nigeria. This is what he said while he recieved some religious delegates in his office some time ago: “It is my belief that the root of religious conflicts not only in Nigeria but across the world is the lack of proper understanding of the teachings of religions, as no religion encourages violence and other forms of aggression against other people."
Speaking further to the religious leader, he said, “This is where you and other religious groups like yours come in. You need to preach to people on the importance of peace, the need to accommodate other people’s views, obey the laws of the land and treat one another as brothers and sisters.”
His political views can be clearly seen from his works. With a vision to translate his experiences into progress and development for the people of his home state, Dr. Saraki was called upon by his people to contest for the position of Executive Governor of Kwara State. He was elected and sworn into office in 2003. Based on his performances and achievements witnessed by his people, and in demonstration of their overwhelming support for him, the people of Kwara State re-elected him in 2007 general election for second term in office. As Governor, Dr. Saraki garnered national and international acclaim for his innovative approaches to agriculture, health, education, fiscal policy and environmental reforms. His spirit of team work endeared him to his colleagues where he was appointed as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum. In that capacity, he championed a peer review mechanism among the Governors of Nigerian states. He also used the platform to create a harmonious working relationship between the executive and the legislative arm of government at the national level. He was the first Nigerian Governor to be awarded the National Honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). As a man of the people coupled with his level of achievements in the political arena, he was conferred and turbaned as a nobleman of high rank with a traditional title of Turaki of Ilorin Emirate.
Quotations:
“This special Constitutional and institutional recognitions bestow on the press a sacred duty and responsibility to be fair to all, to adhere to truth and to consciously work for the unity, progress and development of their immediate and larger communities.”
"The country, despite the burgeoning revenue inflow, was haemorrhaging from all points. Corruption was elevated to a craft. Six months into the new administration the mandate to deliver is clear and we will work to deliver. You might have heard a lot as regards the politics of the emergence of the leadership in both chambers of the National Assembly but I will like to reassure you that despite that we are all committed to bring about an effective National Assembly, a people oriented one that is focused on national interest where personal interest will certainly be secondary."
"For the first time ever, the Nigerian Senate offered a detailed, cohesive agenda that would guide its session. The legislative agenda focuses on expanding our people’s opportunity to participate in the Nigerian economy by creating the necessary legal, institutional and regulatory framework for the private sector to thrive. Emphasis is laid on bills that will impact on people positively, reduce unemployment, block leakages, improve security and of course private sector participation. You will see a marked focus on important bills and more time and effort dedicated to critical issues compared to what was witnessed under the 7th assembly where the ratio of important bill tilted negatively. This will not happen in this Senate".
”May the future generation of citizens look upon the 8th National Assembly as a true assembly of our people’s representatives who did their best in the service of our nation”.
“Iam most honoured and privileged to be elected to serve as President of the Senate. I accept with humility and respect the honour you have conferred upon me today.”
“Our economic fundamentals remain robust and the economy is resilient to absorb the current oil price shock. The situation is bringing out the entrepreneurship in us. Our private sector is also rising to the challenge. We assure you we will use this occasion to build a new economy diversified away from the perennial effects of oil price shock.”
Saraki is often described as a man with vision and innovation
Physical Characteristics: He is tall, and has a chocolate color
He his married, and has four children