Senator Ireti Kingibe is a woman of many parts. She is a civil engineer, a politician, a philanthropist, and a former wife of one of Nigeria’s most influential figures. She is also the younger sister of Ajoke Muhammed, the widow of former Nigerian head of state Murtala Muhammed. In this blog post, we will explore the life and achievements of Ireti Kingibe, the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the 10th Nigerian Senate.
Early Life and Education
Ireti Kingibe was born on June 2, 1954, in Lagos, Nigeria. She is a descendant of three major ethnic groups in Nigeria: Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo. Her father was Alhaji Abdulrahman Okene, a prominent businessman and politician from Kogi State. Her mother was Princess Elizabeth Adekogbe, a daughter of Oba Adesoji Aderemi, the Ooni of Ife.
Ireti Kingibe attended Emotan Preparatory School in Benin City for her primary education. She then proceeded to Queen’s College Lagos and Washington Irving High School in New York for her secondary education. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1978.
Career and Politics
Ireti Kingibe started her career as a quality control engineer with Bradley Precast Concrete Inc. in Minnesota from 1978 to 1979. She then joined the Minnesota Department of Transportation Design Unit as an engineer from 1979 to 1991. She returned to Nigeria for her one-year mandatory national service between 1981 and 1982. She was posted to work as a project supervisor with the Directorate of Works, Nigerian Air Force Base in Ikeja, Lagos.
In 1982, she joined the New Nigeria Construction Company in Kaduna as a planning engineer. She left the company in 1985 to work as a consultant for Belsam Limited. Between 1990 and 1994, she worked as a regional engineer for Lodigiani Nigeria Limited in Lagos. She currently works as a senior partner with Kelnic Associates, an engineering consultancy firm in Abuja.
Ireti Kingibe ventured into politics in 1990 when she was appointed as an adviser to the national chairman of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). Her husband at the time, Baba Gana Kingibe, was the running mate of Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
In 2003, she contested for the FCT senatorial seat under the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) but lost to Isa Maina of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). She defected to PDP in 2006 but left the party in 2014 due to internal wrangling. She joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ran for the same senatorial seat in 2015 but later withdrew from the race.
In 2022, she joined the Labour Party (LP) and became its FCT senatorial candidate for the 2023 general elections. She won the election by defeating Isa Maina of the PDP and Usman Jibrin of the APC. She became the first woman to represent FCT in the Senate and the first LP senator in Nigeria’s history.
She was sworn in as a senator on June 13, 2023. She is currently the chairman of the Senate Committee on Women’s Affairs. She has also sponsored several bills and motions on issues affecting women, children, and people with disabilities.
Philanthropy and Awards
Ireti Kingibe is known for her philanthropic activities and humanitarian gestures. She has donated generously to various causes and organizations such as orphanages, schools, hospitals, mosques, churches, and community development projects. She has empowered many youths and women through skill acquisition programs and financial support.
She has received several awards and recognitions for her contributions to society. Some of them include:
- Woman of Excellence Award by Women Empowerment Initiative
- Distinguished Service Award by Rotary Club International
- Outstanding Leadership Award by African Women Leadership Forum
- Merit Award by the Nigerian Society of Engineers
- Honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Abuja
Personal Life and Family
Ireti Kingibe was married to Baba Gana Kingibe, a former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and ambassador to several countries. They had four children together: Murtala, Fatima, Aisha, and Ibrahim. They divorced in 1997 after 18 years of marriage.
She is also the younger sister of Ajoke Muhammed, who was married to Murtala Muhammed, Nigeria’s former head of state assassinated in a coup d’etat in 1976. Ajoke Muhammed is a prominent businesswoman and socialite who owns several companies and properties in Nigeria and abroad.
FAQs
What is Ireti Kingibe’s net worth?
Ireti Kingibe’s net worth is not publicly known. However, she is estimated to be one of the richest women in Nigeria, given her successful career as an engineer, politician, and philanthropist. She owns several assets and investments in Nigeria and abroad.
Who is Ireti Kingibe’s husband?
Ireti Kingibe’s husband is Baba Gana Kingibe, a former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and ambassador to several countries. They divorced in 1997 after 18 years of marriage.
How old is Ireti Kingibe?
Ireti Kingibe is 69 years old as of 2023. She was born on June 2, 1954.
Where is Ireti Kingibe from?
Ireti Kingibe is from Lagos, Nigeria. She is a descendant of three major ethnic groups in Nigeria: Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo. Her father was Alhaji Abdulrahman Okene, a prominent businessman and politician from Kogi State. Her mother was Princess Elizabeth Adekogbe, a daughter of Oba Adesoji Aderemi, the Ooni of Ife.
‘We weren’t given anything extra’ — Ireti Kingibe speaks on Akpabio’s ‘credit alert for senators’
Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT) in the red chamber, says she is yet to receive an extra allowance.
While addressing his colleagues on Monday, Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, said money has been sent by Magaji Tambuwal, clerk of the national assembly, to the senators to enable them “enjoy” their holidays.
Soon after the remark, Akpabio was informed by his colleagues that he was speaking before live television and press cameras.
Upon realising the magnitude of his comment, the senate president beat a hasty retreat.
“I withdraw that statement,” he said.
“To allow you to enjoy your holiday, the senate president has sent prayers to your mailboxes to assist you to go on a safe journey and return.”
Akpabio’s initial remark elicited angry reactions on social media platforms, with many Nigerians positing that federal lawmakers are tone-deaf and reside in a bubble, amid the economic hardship confronting the average citizen.
Asked about the senate president’s comment, Kingibe said Akpabio was referring to “statutory” allowance paid to senators.
“I did not receive any prayer but I will check my emails for the prayers. Truthfully, I don’t know what he was talking about,” she added.
“Most people assumed that our allowances are being paid — some statutory things that we are paid.
“I don’t think it was anything extra that we’re supposed to be given. I certainly haven’t seen anything extra.”
Asked to comment on the high cost of governance as it relates to senators’ allowances, the FCT senator said there is nothing she can do about it.
“Yes, truthfully, that is so. I know that I can’t change anything,” she said.
“So I have a constituency office and a development office where I do development programmes for the people.
“Hopefully, anything extra… I’m new and we’ve been paid very little. But as they come in, a lot of it will go towards funding that office, the development programmes.”
