The Return of Muhammad Sani Abdullahi “Dattijo” to Planning and Budget Commission: The position he held with distinction Between 2015–2019. (The Photos in 2021 Edition)
Before I go into details, i’ll like to give a brief story of my Boss and Principal, in the person of Muhammad Sani Abdullahi
Muhammad Sani Abdullahi popularly known as Dattijo is an international development expert and Nigerian public servant. Dattijo served as a Policy Adviser at the Executive Office of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in New York and was part of the core team that developed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dattijo left his position at UN to come serve the people of kaduna State as the Commissioner, for Planning and budget in Kaduna State.
Early life
Muhammad Sani Abdullahi obtained his master’s degree in Development Economics and Policy from the University of Manchester and obtained a second Masters from Ahmadu Bello University where he studied International Affairs and Diplomacy. He obtained certificates including in Public Finance at the London School of Economics; Sustainable Development at Columbia University and Advanced Project Management at Oxford University. He was part of the 2017 cohort of Georgetown University’s Leadership Seminar.
Career
Before his appointment as Commissioner in Kaduna State, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi worked closely with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed. The two share a close mentor-mentee relationship. Earlier he worked as an Economist and Deputy National Program Manager for the Millennium Development Goals at the Nigerian Presidency. He served as Economic Adviser of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum after the MDGs. In 2018, he was one of two Nigerians — himself and Sahara Group co-founder, Tonye Cole — appointed to the World Bank Expert Advisory Council on Citizen Engagement. He also served as the Chief of Staff to Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El Rufai (July 2019 — October 2021). He then returned to the Planning and Budget Commission in October 2021, the responsibility he held with distinction during Malam El-Rufai’s first term.
Accomplishments
Muhammad Sani Abdullahi was a member of the UN Secretary-General’s team that designed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As Commissioner of Budget and Planning in Kaduna, he conducted an in-depth analysis of the local SDGs data to advance implementation of the goals. According to the United Nations, “Kaduna State, Nigeria, is one of the first subnational governments in the world” to have done so. He ensured that Kaduna was the first state in Nigeria to subscribe to the Open Government Partnership. The ministry under Muhammad Sani Abdullahi ensured that Kaduna State consistently presented and delivered budgets ahead of time, making it the first state to present its budget to the state legislature.
Fellowships
In 2017, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi was selected as a Fellow of the African Leadership Institute — West Africa, a collaborate initiative with the Aspen Global Leadership Network. In 2011, he was involved with the institute as an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow.
So Now, let’s Focus on the journey, not the destination. … The journey is Dattijo itself.
July
Also in Attendance were: The Hon Commissioner, Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, The GOC 1 DIV- Represented, The Conmissioner of Police- represented, Corp Marshall KASTLEA, Sector commander FRSC, NCDC, Immigration, Customs and other Military, Police, Paramilitary Organizations, Commander Signal Brigade, and Members of the Press.
Muhammad Sani Dattijo, who spoke as the Special Guest of Honour celebrated and congratulated all officers. for their commitment and dedication.
Over the last years, KASTLEA has emerged from an organisation that existed only on paper, to one of the best run organisations in the State. The growing expertise, discipline and professionalism of the authority is now evident And we commend the current corps Marshall and his team for all the hard work.
September
October
November
Muhammad Sani Dattijo who spoke at the Stakeholders Engagement on Security and other government policies organised by the Kaduna State Government. It’s a routine engagement with citizens through religious leaders, and trade unions on government policies and programs.that took place at the Ummaru Musa Yar’adua Conference Center inside Murtala Square, Kaduna.
Muhammad Sani Dattijo, who delivered the Opening Remarks gave a brief lecture on what AfCFTA entails while the Founder of Kaduna Business School, Dr. Dahiru Sani, provided the Welcome Note at the event.
The AfCFTA is the strategic Framework for delivering on Africa’s goal for inclusive & sustainable development & is a concrete manifestation of the PAN-African drive to ensure free, fair and sustainable trade across the continent.
Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani who delivered the opening remarks, welcomed Stakeholders, Civil Society Organizations and members from the Open Government Partnership (OGP) to the Public Hearing.
The Public Hearing on the 2022 State Budget is an opportunity for Civil Society Organizations and other concerned residents to express their views, and make recommendations before the budget is passed by the legislature. Shortly after the Public Hearing on the 2022 Appropriation Bill, Mr. Joshua James, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Executive Director, presented the Input Document on behalf of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to Muhammad Sani Dattijo.
This document captures all inputs and comments from the CSOs which will be considered in the appropriation bill.
The Commissioner assured the Public Complaints Commission of the State Government’s support and tasked them on strengthening their systems for reporting complaints to be more competent and reliable.
The Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, highlighted the key need for State Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to work together towards the development of the State and improved transparency in service delivery.
Larabai Media, in partnership with the Kaduna State Government are looking to drive interest in UI/UX Design amongst residents in order to transform Kaduna State into a hub of digital literacy and tech development.
The MDM System which is an important project for the State e-Government initiative will provide Kaduna State with a strong and secure foundation to drive business execution.
The Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission, Kaduna, Muhammad Sani Dattijo delivered the opening remarks at the retreat for newly sworn in Local Government Chairmen where he walked everyone through the Objectives of the Retreat and how they can be incorporated in the Chairmen’s mandates.
The Acting Governor, Dr. Hadiza S. Balarabe, delivered the Special Address shortly after and tasked the Local Government Chairmen to tap into the vast possibilities and resources in their respective LGAs, as well as using the opportunities provided by the retreat to reflect in their new found roles.
The Acting Governor and Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission joined by the newly sworn-in Local Government Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Permanent Secretaries for Group Photographs at the Retreat for Newly Elected Local Government Council Executives.
The State is looking to ramp up digital Identity registrations through the Residents Identity Management Agency (KADRIMA).
The Director General of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz Abubakar, encouraged the partnership and thanked the Kaduna State Government for the support received over the years and restated the need to put in the right policies to drive enrollment further up.
The visit was to foster partnership with the Council in line with the State’s Industrialization Plan. The Kaduna State Government is looking to partner with the Council and transform Kaduna State into a world class Automative Hub.
NADDC have 6 Automative training centers across 6 geographical zones and have trained 20,000+ youths in mechatronics and all related automative sector fields.
“when feelings become the means of thinking, or if we cannot think greater than how we feel, we can never change. To change is to think greater than how we feel. To change is to act greater than the familiar feelings of the memorized self’’ ~ Joe Dispenza Photos; SamuelUbile
December
The Committee, established by the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has a mandate to provide support for hitch free census related activities across the state.
The Commissioner congratulated the Commission on the successful conduction of Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) and explained the State will take advantage of the exercise for State Planning purposes. Furthermore, he expressed satisfaction on the adoption of digital processes and assured the Commission of State Government’s collaboration and support through the pretext exercise.
The exercise which took place in the 4 Local Government Areas(LGAs) of Kubau,Kajuru, Kaura and Jema’a is aimed at testing the functionality of equipments and capability of the personnel ahead of general census in 2022.
He also urged Local Government Chairmen to sensitize communities on the importance of the exercise and provide enabling environments for the successful conduction of the exercise in their respective LGAs.
The Commissioner, who was a speaker at the event, talked about a reselient Northern Nigeria within a Brave New Nigeria and went on to further highlight the current development statistics across the region and invited all participants to play a constructive part in business, academia, faith and public service to ensure the country takes the opportunities available to move into the future.
Naufal Ahmad Sr, who delivered the closing remarks, thanked the Commissioner for taking time out of his busy schedule to honor the invitation and hopes to see many more use the opportunity to enlighten the general public.
He assured him of the Commission’s support and highlighted the need to work in harmony for State Planning purposes.
The SG who heads the Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics, an agency under the Planning and Budget Commission, thanked the commissioner for the warm welcome and look forward to working together.
The Data Lab Project is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in partnership with the Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics and implemented by Natview Foundation for Technology Innovation geared towards operationalizing the State Data Revolution Plan.
The Commissioner, who is on the Governing Board of the KIF, was a keynote speaker at the event and decided to use his time on the podium to lecture on good governance. Furthermore, he sensitized everyone present on the need to attain a Permanent Voters Card (PVC) due to the low turnout at registration centers as reported by the Independent National Election Commission (INEC).
The Kaduna State OGP Action Plan 2021–2023 has provided five commitment areas namely: open budgeting, open contracting, citizens’ engagement, strengthening social protection and improving service delivery in education and health care.
Kaduna State joined the OGP out of the desire to strengthen its commitment towards promoting fiscal responsibility, access to information and citizens engagement and have so far implemented several open government initiatives that haven’t gone unnoticed across the globe.
Leadership they say is the act of leading a group of people and the PBC are lucky to have these two who work tirelessly for the progress of the commission and state at large.
Thank you for viewing…!!!
