Here is a comprehensive biography of Senator George Akume, Nigeria’s current Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF):
Basic Information
- Full Name: Senator George Akume
- Date of Birth: December 27, 1953 (age 71)
- Place of Birth: Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria
- Spouse: Regina Akume (a member of the House of Representatives)
- Residence: Abuja, Nigeria
- Religion: Christianity (Roman Catholic)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Political Party: All Progressives Congress (APC)
Education
- Primary School: Native Authority Primary School, Wannune (1960–1966)
- Secondary School: Government Secondary School, Otobi (now Model Science School, Otukpo), Benue State (1967–1971)
- Advanced Level: St. Louis College (1972)
- Bachelor’s Degree: Bachelor of Science in Sociology, University of Ibadan (1978)
- Master’s Degree: Master of Industrial and Labour Relations, University of Ibadan (1986)
- Certificate: Certificate in Management, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) (1988)
Career Overview
Civil Service
- Benue State Civil Service: Joined in 1980 as a Land Officer
- Held various positions, including:
- Assistant Secretary, Research and Policy Analysis (REPA) in the Governor’s office
- Principal Secretary, Under Secretary, Director of Personnel Management (1994)
- Sole Administrator of Gboko Local Government Council (1988–1989)
- Sole Administrator of Idah Local Government Council (1989–1990)
- Director of Protocol, Government House, Makurdi (1992)
- Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Education, Lagos (1994–1995)
- Director-General and later Permanent Secretary, Establishments and Management Services (1996–1998)
Political Career
Governor of Benue State (1999–2007)
- Elected as the first governor to complete two terms in office in Benue State under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Senator for Benue North-West (2007–2019)
- Represented Benue North-West Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate
- Served as Senate Minority Leader from June 2011 to June 2015
Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (2019–2023)
- Appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 21, 2019
- Oversaw inter-governmental relations and special duties during the administration
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (2023–Present)
- Appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 7, 2023
- Serves as the 21st SGF, responsible for fostering federal-state government interactions, enhancing transparency, and providing advisory support to the president
Awards and Honors
- Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON): National honor conferred in May 2023
- Most Distinguished Alumnus (MDA): University of Ibadan Alumni Association
- Distinguished Humanist Award
- Best Performing Governor of PDP Governors from the North Central Zone
- Patron of the Institute of Public Relations
- Fellow of the Sociological Association of Nigeria
- Ambassador of Peace
- Key to the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
International Exposure
- Widely traveled, having visited countries including the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Cuba, Ghana, South Africa, Jamaica, Israel, India, Brazil, Colombia, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Mexico, Switzerland, and others
Personal Life
- Married to Regina Akume, a member of the House of Representatives
- Together, they are parents and grandparents
Publications
- “George Akume: Eye Witness Accounts and Leadership Lessons”
- Edited by Kenneth Ibe-Kalu
- A compilation of diverse perspectives tracing Akume’s journey from civil service to his impactful roles in local government, directorate positions, and Benue politics
Summary:
Senator George Akume is a seasoned Nigerian politician with a distinguished career spanning civil service, state governance, legislative leadership, and federal administration. As the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation, he continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s governance landscape.