According to a compendium of distinguished ABU Alumni: The Authoritative Book about Nigeria’s leadership factory Vol. 1), particularly in the opening biography on Yusuf Suleiman:
“There is a new brand of leadership emerging in Nigeria’s political landscape. It consists of young visionary men and women who are hungry for change. Even in this exclusive pack, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman the former Minister of Transport under President Goodluck Jonathan stands tall. A model of probity, his constant adherence to the principles of probity and transparency in governance cannot be overstated… Alhaji Yusuf has remained profoundly relevant because of his integrity, industry and drive. Essentially a gentleman with a genial disposition, the passion with which he takes on all tasks before him is quite remarkable, and remains a personal attribute, which has distinguished him in public office. A man of integrity who cherishes his reputation and does his best to always protect it, he is a great administrator who commands respect in both Private and Professional fields…”
Brief history
Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman is former Minister of Transport and Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission. He was born into the Sultan Bello ruling house on 30th January 1963 to late Alhaji Suleiman Isa, Sarkin Kudun Gusau and Hajiya Fatima, who was fondly called Malama for her innate piety and in-depth knowledge of Islamic education and practice. Yusuf Suleiman is a great grandson of Sultan Aliyu II (Alu Maisaje na Isa), and great, great grandson of Sultan Muhammadu Bello.
Education
Yusuf Suleiman’s zeal for knowledge started at tender age, beginning with Islamic and Quranic education. He was later enrolled into the Township Primary School Gusau, where he begun his western education that ultimately took him to IVY League Universities around the world. A B.Sc degree in Business Administration (1986) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) (1989) graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Yusuf Suleiman obtained a Graduate Certificate in Public Enterprise Management from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1995.
He attended the Executive Education Program at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Evanston, Illinois in 2000 and went back to the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government for the Senior Managers in Government Program in 2001. In 2002, he was at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Virginia for a Professional Certificate in Managing Critical Resources. Later in the same year, he enrolled at the Cambridge Academy of Transport for Certificate in Shipping Insurance. Suleiman also attended the Soul of Leadership Program at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois in 2003.
Working Career
Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman started his career as a civil servant in the services of the then Sokoto State Government, where he rose to become the State Director of Industries in 1991. He has served on the Boards of several companies and organisations, including the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc; Gamji Bank of Nigeria (later International Trust Bank) Plc; Roads Nigeria PLlc; Zamfara Textiles Industries Limited, Gusau; the Gusau Oil Mill Limited; Sokoto Investment Company Limited; Sokoto State Polytechnic and New Capital Properties Limited (a subsidiary of NNDC Ltd Kaduna).
A former member of the Expert Group on Bank of the North Limited appointed by the 19 Northern State Governors in 1997, Suleiman is currently the Chairman and Chief Executive of Caspian Oil and Gas Limited, Afro Investors Limited, Savana Farms Limited and serves on the board of other private companies.
Federal Service
In 1999, Yusuf Suleiman moved to the Federal Service, first as Special Assistant to the National Security Advisor, and later appointed Director Administration & Personnel Services at the National Maritime Authority of Nigeria (now NIMASA). He resigned in 2003 to run for a seat at the National Assembly to represent Sokoto East Senatorial district as Senator. He was a member of the National Political Reform Conference in 2005 and was appointed Chairman of the Governing Council, National Teachers Institute, Kaduna (2005-2008). In April 2010, he was appointed into the Federal Executive Council as Minister of Transport of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
While as Minister of Transport, he worked tirelessly to ensure completion of the dredging of Lower River Niger and the modernisation of Rail services in Nigeria – his two topmost priority as Minister. He performed the groundbreaking ceremony to kick start the new modern railway line from Abuja to Kaduna, which has since been completed and operational.
He served as a Member of the Presidents Economic Management Team, and also served in numerous adhoc committees and assignments for the President. He was Chairman of the Abuja MOU on Port State Control and Conference of Transport Ministers of the West and Central African States (MOWCA), he was also the Chairman Conference of African Ministers of Sports (CAM-4) among others. He is widely travelled and visited many countries across the continents.
In July 2011 after the re-election of the president, he was reappointed into the Cabinet and deployed as Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, where he worked to unite all feuding factions and brought sanity, particularly in Nigeria football. He resigned in December 2011.
Alhai Yusuf Suleiman is currently the Chairman, Governing Council of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Enter The Dan Amar of Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III recently found Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman worthy of being bestowed with the traditional title of DAN AMAR OF SOKOTO and is today, Sunday, April 4, 2021, being turbaned. Dan Amar is a two language title, Hausa and Arabic. It means Dan Amir (son of the Amir).
He is married to Hajiya Hafsat Yusuf Suleiman, and blessed with five children.
