An agricultural economist and banker who governed Borno State through the worst years of the Boko Haram insurgency, Kashim Shettima became Nigeria’s 15th Vice President in 2023 — and is Tinubu’s running mate again for 2027.
Quick facts
| Full name | Kashim Shettima Mustapha |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 September 1966, Maiduguri, Borno State |
| Office | 15th Vice President of Nigeria (since 29 May 2023) |
| Party | All Progressives Congress (APC) |
| Previous offices | Senator, Borno Central (2019–2023); Governor of Borno State (2011–2019); Borno State commissioner (2007–2011) |
| Education | BSc Agricultural Economics, University of Maiduguri (1989); MSc Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan (1991) |
| Spouse | Nana Shettima (married 1998); three children |
| 2027 | APC vice-presidential candidate |
Early life and education
Shettima was born in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, into a Muslim family. He attended Lamisula Primary School in Maiduguri, then secondary schools in Biu and Potiskum, before studying agricultural economics at the University of Maiduguri, where he graduated in 1989. After his national youth service in Calabar, he earned a master’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Ibadan in 1991.
Lecturer and banker
He began his career as a lecturer in agricultural economics at the University of Maiduguri (1991–1993). He then moved into banking — first as an agricultural economist with Commercial Bank of Africa in Lagos, then with African International Bank in Kaduna, and from 2001 with Zenith Bank, where he rose to become the bank’s general manager for the North-East. That banking career gave him a reputation as a technocrat rather than a career politician.
Commissioner in Borno
In 2007 Governor Ali Modu Sheriff brought him into government as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development. Over the next four years he also headed the ministries of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Education, Agriculture and Health — unusual experience across almost every arm of a state government.
Governor during the insurgency (2011–2019)
Shettima was elected governor in April 2011 on the ANPP platform and re-elected in 2015 under the APC. His eight years coincided with the most violent period of the Boko Haram insurgency, including the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in April 2014.
- He built dozens of new “mega schools” for children who lost parents or homes to the conflict;
- He created a dedicated Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement to rebuild destroyed towns such as Bama and Gwoza;
- He signed the law establishing Borno State University;
- He publicly criticised the federal military strategy at times, which strained relations with the Jonathan administration.
Supporters credit him with keeping the state government running and investing in education during a crisis. Critics argue that security in the state worsened sharply during his tenure, and he faced questions over how certain incidents were handled.
Senator and running mate
After leaving office he was elected Senator for Borno Central in 2019. In July 2022 Tinubu chose him as his running mate — a Muslim–Muslim ticket that drew strong debate, especially among Christian groups, but which the APC defended as a choice based on competence and electoral strategy. The ticket won, and Shettima was sworn in as Vice President on 29 May 2023 at Eagle Square, Abuja.
What does the Vice President do?
Under Nigeria’s constitution, the Vice President assists the President and acts for him when he is away. In practice, the Vice President chairs the National Economic Council (which brings together the 36 governors and the Central Bank) and oversees programmes the President assigns, such as social investment and some economic initiatives. Shettima also represents Nigeria at international meetings.
