Rufai was born in Ringim in Jigawa State, She obtained a B.Ed in History at the Bayero University, Kano in 1981, an Master of Arts in History from the same university in 1987 and Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the West Virginia University, United States of America in 1991.
She was Commissioner for Health under the military regime of General Sani Abacha between 1993 and 1996. She was promoted professor in 2003, and served as Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Jigawa State. She said she was always ashamed when faced with the challenge of low enrollment of the girl-child in Jigawa State, and found it difficult to explain why the state could not enroll more girls in the schools.
She banned the use of mobile phones in secondary schools due to their distracting influence.
Professor Ruqayyat was among the affected ministers.
Amidst political problem among the ruling party PDP where seven governors, including Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, and dozens of senators and members of House of Representatives split to New PDP, the president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan relieved 9 ministers of their positions.
