Tinubu Appoints Hadiza Bala Usman as First Female Secretary to the Government of the Federation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Hon. Hadiza Bala Usman as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), making her the first woman to hold this key federal position in Nigeria. The appointment was announced in June 2025, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s governance.

Hadiza Bala Usman, born January 2, 1976, in Zaria, has a distinguished career in public service. She previously served as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority from 2016 to 2021 and was Chief of Staff to the Kaduna State Governor between 2015 and 2016. She also acted as Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination to President Tinubu prior to her SGF appointment. A co-founder of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, Usman is recognized for her dedication to national unity and effective governance.

Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University and a master’s degree in Development Studies from the University of Leeds.

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The office of the SGF is crucial for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of government policies and programs across multiple federal agencies. President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Usman reflects a strategic move to enhance policy coordination and service delivery at the highest level of government.