Attahiru Jega Biography: Wife, Children, Age, Family, Net Worth, State of Origin, New Appointment

Biography

Attahiru Muhammadu Jega (born January 11, 1957) is a renowned Nigerian academic and administrator. He is best known for serving as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2010 to 2015.

A professor of political science, he earned his Ph.D. from Northwestern University, USA, and previously served as Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano.

During his tenure at INEC, Jega oversaw the 2011 and 2015 general elections, implementing key reforms that enhanced the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process despite significant challenges. His leadership earned him widespread recognition for his integrity and dedication to democratic principles.

After leaving INEC, Jega returned to academia and remains a respected voice in Nigerian education, governance, and public affairs.

Former chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission
Attahiru Jega
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Attahiru Muhammadu Jega
Stage Name:	Attahiru Jega
Born:	1 January 1957 (age 68 years old)
Place of Birth:	Jega, Kebbi State, Nigeria
State Of Origin:	Kebbi State
Nationality:	Nigerian
Education:	Sabon Gari Town Primary School, Government Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi, Bayero University, Ahmadu Bello University, Northwestern University
Height:	N/A
Parents:	Hajia Hauwa Kulu Muhammadu Jega, Alhaji Muhammadu Jega
Siblings:	Malam Mahmud Jega, Alhaji Abbas Jega
Spouse:	Married
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Mahmud Jega, Abdullahi Attahiru Jega
Occupation:	Academic • Administrator
Net Worth:	$3.16 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Attahiru Muhammadu Jega was born on January 11, 1957, in Jega, a town in present-day Kebbi State, Nigeria. At the time, the area was part of the Northern Region, a historically significant area known for its cultural and political influence.

His birthplace ties him to the rich heritage of northern Nigeria, which shaped his early life and identity.

Jega is widely inferred to be of Hausa-Fulani descent, given his birth in Kebbi State, a region predominantly populated by the Hausa-Fulani, one of Nigeria’s largest and most influential ethnic groups. His name, “Muhammadu,” follows common Hausa-Fulani naming conventions. It is also presumed that he is Muslim, as suggested by his name and his upbringing in northern Nigeria, where Islam is the dominant religion.

His mother, Hajia Hauwa Kulu Muhammadu Jega, was a respected figure who passed away on August 16, 2024, in Abuja at the age of 86 after a brief illness. His father is Alhaji Muhammadu Jega, and his family is recognized for producing accomplished individuals. Notable figures, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, mourned his mother’s passing.

Jega has several siblings, including Malam Mahmud Jega, a prominent Nigerian journalist known for his insightful commentary on national issues, and Alhaji Abbas Jega, who served as an Executive Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and contributed to financial sector management.

Jega began his formal education at Sabon Gari Town Primary School in Jega (1963–1969) before proceeding to Government Secondary School in Birnin Kebbi. He later enrolled at Bayero University College, Kano—then affiliated with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria—where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1979, graduating with a Second-Class Upper Division.

Jega furthered his studies in the United States, attending Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he obtained both a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Political Science between 1981 and 1985.

Career

Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, born on January 11, 1957, in Jega, Kebbi State, Nigeria, is a distinguished academic, political scientist, and public servant. His career spans decades and has been marked by significant contributions to education, electoral reform, and national development.

Returning to Nigeria, Jega joined Bayero University, Kano, as a teaching assistant in 1979 and steadily rose through the ranks. He held various academic and administrative roles, including Head of the Department of Political Science, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, and Director of the Centre for Democratic Research and Training (Mambayya House).

In 2005, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, a position he held until 2010, during which he implemented reforms to enhance academic standards, campus discipline, and university funding.

Beyond academia, Jega played a critical role in academic advocacy. From 1988 to 1994, he served as President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), a period defined by tensions with the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Under his leadership, ASUU secured the landmark 1992 agreement with the federal government, which improved lecturers’ salaries, enhanced university funding, and established the Education Tax Fund (now the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund). His tenure solidified his reputation as a principled advocate for education and workers’ rights.

Jega’s most prominent national contribution came as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from June 2010 to June 2015. Appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan, he succeeded Professor Maurice Iwu, whose tenure had been marred by allegations of electoral fraud.

Jega’s appointment was widely welcomed due to his reputation for integrity and competence. As INEC Chairman, he implemented sweeping reforms, including restructuring the commission, introducing biometric voter registration, and implementing the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) system. His leadership was instrumental in the success of the 2011 and 2015 general elections, with the latter marking Nigeria’s first peaceful democratic transfer of power from an incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, to an opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

Despite political pressure and security threats from groups like Boko Haram, the 2015 elections were widely praised by domestic and international observers for their credibility and transparency. In recognition of his efforts, Jega received the 2015 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

After stepping down from INEC in June 2015, Jega returned to academia as a professor in the Department of Political Science at Bayero University, Kano. He also took on leadership roles in higher education, serving as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Plateau State University, Bokkos, from 2015 to 2019.

Additionally, he has been actively involved in national and international initiatives, including serving on the Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee (2007–2008), the Kofi Annan Foundation’s Electoral Integrity Initiative, and the board of IFES.

In March 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Jega as Presidential Adviser and Coordinator of Presidential Livestock Reforms. In this role, he is tasked with modernizing Nigeria’s livestock sector, addressing farmer-herder conflicts, and enhancing agricultural productivity. The appointment reflects his continued relevance in national policy and governance, leveraging his expertise in reform implementation.

Jega has been recognized throughout his career for his integrity, intellectual rigour, and commitment to public service. He has authored numerous publications on Nigerian politics, democratization, and electoral systems.

His accolades include the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) award in 2005, the “Man of the Year” award by Newswatch Magazine (1993 and 2011), and international honors for his contributions to democracy.

Personal Life

Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, born on January 11, 1957, in Jega, Kebbi State, Nigeria, is 68 years old. A distinguished academic and administrator, he is best known for his tenure as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2010 to 2015.

Jega maintains a private personal life, and details about his wife, marriage, and children are not widely publicized. However, he is known to be married and has at least two notable children, Mahmud Jega, a respected Nigerian journalist, and Abdullahi Attahiru Jega, who is married to Aisha Remawa.

His career highlights include serving as Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, and playing a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process by overseeing the 2011 and 2015 general elections, both of which were regarded as significant milestones in the country’s democratic history.

In 2025, Jega was appointed Presidential Adviser and Coordinator of Presidential Livestock Reforms, tasked with addressing key challenges in Nigeria’s livestock sector.

Net Worth

Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, a distinguished Nigerian academic and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had an estimated net worth of approximately $3.16 million.

His wealth primarily stems from his extensive career in academia, including his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, and his role as INEC Chairman from 2010 to 2015.

His appointment as Presidential Adviser and Coordinator of Presidential Livestock Reforms in 2025 may also contribute to his earnings