MEET THE PEOPLE’S SENATOR – SADIQ SULEIMAN UMAR (representing Kwara North Senatorial District)
Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, born on June 8, 1970, in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria, is a distinguished Nigerian politician and public health expert. He currently serves as the Senator representing Kwara North Senatorial District in Nigeria’s National Assembly under the All Progressives Congress (APC) party.
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Senator Umar’s educational journey began at Borgu Secondary School in New Bussa, where he graduated in 1987 with top honors. He pursued higher education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, earning a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning, he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and a Master’s degree in Disaster Risk Management and Developmental Studies from the same institution.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Before venturing into politics, Senator Umar dedicated approximately two decades to the health development sector, working with organizations such as the Department for International Development (DFID) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). His roles focused on managing projects aimed at assisting the poor and vulnerable, especially women and children. He progressed to the position of Technical Director for West Africa at Axios International, a U.S.-based organization, before transitioning into the political arena.
POLITICAL CAREER
In 2019, Senator Umar was elected to the 9th Senate, where he served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business and as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases. His legislative interests include education, health, infrastructure development, water resources, power, human capital development, empowerment, and youth advancement.
Demonstrating his constituents’ trust, he was re-elected in 2023 to serve in the 10th Senate. In this capacity, he chairs the Senate Committees on Trade and Investment as well as the Committee on Rules and Business and contributes as a member of several other committees, including Appropriation, Power, Downstream Petroleum, Finance, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Public Accounts, Industries, Defense, National Planning, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Cyber Crimes, and Local and Foreign Debt.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND HONORS
Senator Umar is a fellow of several professional bodies, reflecting his diverse expertise:
– Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy
– Fellow of the African Centre for Supply Chain
– Fellow of the Society of Professional Disaster Risk Managers
– Fellow of the Association of Nigeria Public Administrators
In recognition of his contributions to his community, he holds the traditional titles of Dan Amar Kaiama and Dan Amar Lafiagi, meaning the “Beloved Prince” of Kaiama and Lafiagi Emirates in Kwara State. He is affectionately known as “3SU” in Kwara State, an acronym for “Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar.”
PERSONAL LIFE
Senator Umar is married to Hajia Maryam Sadiq Umar, and they are blessed with two sons, Uthman and Suleiman, and a daughter, Halima.
Through his extensive career in public health and politics, Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar has consistently demonstrated a commitment to service, development, and the well-being of his constituents and the nation at large.
