Senator Bukola Saraki is a name that is synonymous with political might, dexterity and acumen in Nigeria. Originally a medical doctor, Saraki was born on 19th December, 1962, to the family of Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, a one-time Senate president (1979 – 1983) in Nigeria.

Saraki studied medicine at the London Hospital Medical College of the University of London from 1982 to 1987 and practiced as a medical doctor at Rush Green Hospital in London.

His political career with which most Nigerians now know him, kick started when he was appointed by the former president Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000, as his special assistant on budget issues.

While holding this position, Dr Saraki showed signs that he was a progress-inclined individual when initiated the Fiscal Responsibility Bill and served on the Economic Policy Coordination Committee, where he was responsible for the formulation and implementation of several key economic policies for Nigeria.
In 2003 under the umbrella of the then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, he ran for and won the governorship of Kwara state.

Dr Saraki was Kwara state governor for two terms, from 2003 till 2011, and during that time the man had mostly positive reviews of his job.

As Governor, Bukola Saraki was loved by his people. He was the first Nigerian governor to be awarded the national honour, a Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). One of his major achievements was inviting displaced white farmers from Zimbabwe to Kwara State and offering them an opportunity to farm. This led to the establishment of Shonga Farms programme, which is now being replicated across Nigeria.

Many governors have tried to copy Saraki’s community health insurance scheme, environmental ‘Clean and Green’ scheme and agricultural transformation scheme, which have been praised as one of the reasons Kwara is a profitable and clean state.

Under Dr Saraki’s Governorship, Kwara became the first state to complete the Nigeria Independent Power Project. In collaboration with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Dr Saraki re-energised the Ganmo Power Station at Ilorin, and connected over 375 rural communities to the National Grid, through the development and installation of 725 transformers and 7 substations.

In addition to earlier exploits, Dr Saraki introduced a range of new health programmes, including a state-wide campaign in 2008 to reduce maternal and child mortality with regard to Malaria. This included the distribution of insecticide-treated nets and free malaria drugs to pregnant mothers and to children under the age of five.

A state-wide programme of hospital development was also implemented, leading to the redevelopment of hospitals in Afon, Patigi and Lafiagi

Dr Saraki led a number of significant and state-wide infrastructure developments, including improvements at the Ilorin International Airport Cargo Terminal; extensive road construction; and the development of new sporting facilities such as Kwara Football Academy. The State also has an on going aim to become a logistics and cargo hub in Nigeria and the region.

Following his wide range of accomplishments and given his charisma among his fellow governors, Dr Saraki was elected Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum in 2007. Under Saraki’s Chairmanship, a reformed Forum was established, with a fully resourced secretariat, with a technical and administrative division that was entirely focused on delivery.

After his two-term tenure as governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki ran for the office of Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District and won.

As a member of the Senate, Dr Saraki continued his developmental pursuit. He campaigned extensively on health, food security, education and the environment.

He was appointed as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology and was also a member of the Senate Committees on Capital Markets and Finance.

As someone who is a development strategist, himself, Dr Saraki has spoken and campaigned internationally on issues such as better governance, deforestation and economic development.

He was re-elected in the 2015 general elections and it was no wonder that on 9 June 2015, he was elected unopposed as President of the Senate by an across the party alliance comprising PDP and APC Senators.

While Nigerians watch with batted breath as the drama within the National Assembly unfolds with Saraki’s emergence as Senate President, one cannot but hope that his antecedents will prod him on to accomplishing greater feats that will contribute to the stability of this greatly destabilized entity called Nigeria.