Babachir David Lawal

Babachir David Lawal (born 2 October 1954) is the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He was appointed on August 27, 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari. He completed his primary education at St. Patrick's Primary School, Maiduguri in 1969 and proceeded to the Nigeria Military School Zaria, from 1970 – 1974 for his secondary education. He then attended the School of Basic Studies, ABU, Zaria from 1974 to 1975. Lawal, studied Electrical Engineering at the Amadu Bello University, Zaria and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical). He later bagged a Bachelor of Arts (Christian Theology) at the ECWA Theological Seminar in Jos in 2007.

Background

Engineer Lawal hails from Kwambla village in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, north east of the country.

He graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 with a Bachelor of Electrical / Electronics Engineering Degree and worked with the Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited and Data Sciences Limited before establishing his own ICT and Telecommunications consulting firm in 1990.

Engr. Babachir D. Lawal began his working career in Delta Steel Company, Ovwian-Aladja where he rose to the position of Senior Engineer, this was from 1979 – 1984. He later worked at Nigerian External Telecommunications Ltd, Lagos as a Principal Engineer from 1984 to 1986. He was at Data Sciences Nigeria Ltd, from 1986 to 1989, where he attained the position of Regional Manager, before he left to establish his own company Rholavision Engineering Ltd, Kaduna in 1990. He ran his own company successfully until he was appointed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the 27th of August, 2015.

He is also a member of the Nigeria Computer Society, the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.

Politics

Lawal joined active politics in 2002 through the membership of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) with the sole objective of working towards the emergence of the then General Muhammadu Buhari as the President of Nigeria. This was informed by his knowledge and understanding of President Buhari as a very patriotic, incorruptible and disciplined person who believes in the unity of Nigeria and justice for all its citizens irrespective of one's status in the society. Engr. Lawal was to hold many offices in the ANPP from the onset and also in Buhari's campaign team including as Deputy Coordinator, The Buhari Campaign Organisation in Adamawa State. Political offices held : i. State Deputy Coordinator, The Buhari Campaign Organisation, Adamawa State (2002 – 2005) ii. State Coordinator, The Buhari Campaign Organisation, Adamawa State, (2005 – 2010) iii. Member, Congress For Progressive Change National Contact and Mobilization Committee (2010 – 2013) iv. Member, Congress For Progressive Change Renewal Committee, 2012 v. Member, All Progressive Change Merger Committee, 2013 vi. Ex-Officious Member, All Progressives Change Interim Management Committee (2013 – 2014) vii. APC National Vice Chairman, North East (2014 to date) viii. Member, APC Presidential Campaign Committee, 2015

Professional bodies memberships

a. Member, Nigeria Computer Society, NCS b. Member, Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE c. Member Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN d. Member, Project Management Institute, PMI e. Member, International Institute of Business Analysis, IIBA f. Member, Change Management Institute, CMI

Personal life

Lawal is happily married with children.