Submit
    Submit

    Prince Abubakar Audu – First Governor of Kogi State and Two-Time Governor Verified listing Verified listing

    • Profession
      Banker, Politician
    • Tribe / Ethnicity
      Igala
    Biography

    Prince Abubakar Audu (27 October 1947 – 22 November 2015) was a Nigerian banker and politician who served as the first democratically elected Governor of Kogi State. He served as Governor twice, first from January 1992 to November 1993 and again from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003.

    Audu was born in Ogbonicha-Alloma, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, and was of Igala heritage. He was born into the family of Pa Audu Oyidi, a prominent traditional ruler in the area.

    Education
    Audu began his early education at N.A. Junior Primary School in Alloma and subsequently attended N.A. Senior School in Ankpa. He later attended Dennis Memorial Grammar School in Onitsha before proceeding to Jos Commercial College, where he obtained his GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates.

    Between 1975 and 1978, he travelled to London to study banking and personnel management. During his professional development, he obtained qualifications including Certified Secretary and fellowships associated with the Association of International Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria.

    Before entering politics, Audu built a long career in banking, spending many years with First Bank of Nigeria and holding senior positions in the banking sector. He also served as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in the old Benue State between 1986 and 1988.

    Following the creation of Kogi State in 1991, Audu contested the state's first governorship election on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He won the election and became the first elected Governor of Kogi State.

    Audu later returned to office in 1999 following Nigeria's return to democratic rule. His second administration lasted until 2003.

    He remained active in Kogi State politics after leaving office and contested subsequent governorship elections. In 2015, he became the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Kogi State governorship election. He died on 22 November 2015, shortly after the governorship election was held.

    Prince Abubakar Audu remains an important figure in the political history of Kogi State and is remembered particularly for being the state's first elected governor and the only person to have served as governor on two separate occasions.

    Career

    Prince Abubakar Audu began his professional career in the banking sector before moving into public service and politics.

    He spent approximately 25 years in banking, principally with First Bank of Nigeria, formerly known as Standard Bank. He held several management positions during his career and also had professional experience associated with banking operations in London and New York.

    In 1986, Audu was appointed Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in the old Benue State, a position he held until 1988.

    After Kogi State was created in August 1991, Audu entered the state's emerging political system. He contested the December 1991 governorship election on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and won.

    He became the first elected Governor of Kogi State in January 1992. His first administration ended in November 1993 following the military takeover that terminated Nigeria's elected civilian governments.

    With the return of democratic rule in 1999, Audu contested the Kogi State governorship election on the platform of the All People's Party (APP), later associated with the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He won and was sworn in on 29 May 1999.

    During his second administration, his government pursued projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, housing, roads, water supply and rural development. He left office on 29 May 2003.

    Audu subsequently remained active in politics and contested other governorship elections. In 2015, he emerged as the APC candidate for the Kogi State governorship election, with James Abiodun Faleke as his running mate.

    He died on 22 November 2015, before the 2015 governorship election process was concluded.

    Achievements

    Prince Abubakar Audu's administrations were associated with several infrastructure and development projects in Kogi State.

    Among the projects and initiatives associated with his administrations were:

    • Development of government infrastructure in the newly created Kogi State.
    • Construction and development of housing projects and estates.
    • Development of township and rural roads.
    • Expansion of rural water supply through borehole projects.
    • Development of healthcare facilities across the state.
    • Development of educational infrastructure.
    • Rural electrification projects.
    • Procurement of buses for public transportation.
    • Development of sports facilities.
    • Development of government and administrative infrastructure in Lokoja.
    • Establishment and development of institutions that became important to the educational development of Kogi State.
      His first administration also initiated major projects in Lokoja, including government infrastructure, a modern stadium and a hotel project.

    During his second administration from 1999 to 2003, his government was associated with the completion of a 250-unit housing estate, development of medical facilities, borehole schemes, township roads, rural electrification projects and other public infrastructure.

    His political career also extended beyond Kogi State. He maintained relationships with political and government figures outside Nigeria and participated in international engagements, including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Cyprus and a Nigerian presidential delegation to Germany in 1999.

    Place or Origin

    Ogbonicha-Alloma

    Tribe

    Igala

    Religion

    Islam

    Local Government Area
    Profession

    Banker, Politician

    Family

    Prince Abubakar Audu was born into the family of Pa Audu Oyidi, a prominent traditional ruler from Ogbonicha-Alloma in Ofu Local Government Area.

    He was married to Mrs. Aisha Olivia Audu and had children, including sons and daughters.

    Audu was closely connected to his hometown of Ogbonicha-Alloma and maintained strong ties with his community throughout his political career.

    How to Submit a Profile on Kogi Wiki
    Kogi Wiki accepts submissions of biographical profiles for individuals connected to Kogi State, Nigeria. This platform exists as a public reference archive. All submissions are reviewed to ensure accuracy, neutrality, and relevance before publication. Learn More
    Reviews
  • No reviews added yet.
    • Add a review

    Leave a Reply ·

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Your Rating

    Important Notes
    • Prince Abubakar Audu was the first democratically elected Governor of Kogi State.
    • He remains the only person to have served as Governor of Kogi State on two separate occasions.
    • His first tenure was from January 1992 to November 1993.
    • His second tenure was from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003.
    • He was a former banker before becoming a politician.
    • He served as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in the old Benue State from 1986 to 1988.
    • He contested the 2015 Kogi State governorship election as the APC candidate.
    • He died on 22 November 2015 in Ogbonicha, Ofu Local Government Area, shortly after the 2015 governorship election.
    • The 2015 Kogi State governorship election was subsequently declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
    • A major road in Lokoja has been named Prince Abubakar Audu Boulevard in his honour.
      Prince Abubakar Audu remains one of the notable figures in the political history of Kogi State.

    You May Also Be Interested In