Leadership means being able to earn people’s trust, take responsibility, and deliver results—even when facing many challenges.
For Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, the past six years have put his leadership to the test. Yet, during this time, he has proven to be one of Nigeria’s most reliable public officials. Whether at the state or national level, Buni has handled leadership with calm, loyalty, and results.
When the people of Yobe State elected him as governor in 2019, they believed he could bring progress to their state. However, they may not have known they were also giving Nigeria a leader who would be called on again and again to help protect and strengthen the country’s democracy.
Soon after becoming governor, Buni was asked by the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take on a national assignment. His job was to help unite the party and support the election of Ahmed Lawan as Senate President and Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the House of Representatives. He completed this task quietly and effectively, without drawing attention to himself.
But the party still needed more from him. In 2020, when the APC faced serious internal problems that put its future at risk, Buni was once again asked to lead. He was appointed Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
This was a bold move, and it turned out to be the right one. Governor Buni worked hard to bring the party back together, settle disagreements among members, and rebuild trust in the party’s system. His hard work led to a successful national convention that helped set the APC on the right path again.
Now in 2025, Governor Buni continues to receive national assignments. At the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum meeting, he was named Chairman because of his skills in diplomacy and his deep knowledge of regional security issues.
Just a few weeks later, the APC NEC gave him another important job: to lead a 7-man Committee for the Expansion of the National Executive Committee. This move is seen as an important step in strengthening the party’s internal democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Even with these heavy national responsibilities, Governor Buni has not forgotten his promise to serve the people of Yobe State.
He has overseen the repair of schools and health centres, launched major road projects, supported youth through empowerment programmes, built houses, and introduced reforms to improve security. These projects show that he has stayed true to his campaign promises and has not allowed national politics to distract him.
The rapid development across Yobe State is clear evidence of his commitment. Change is happening—one project at a time.
The people of Yobe have every reason to be proud. Their governor is serving not just them, but the entire country—and doing so with excellence. Through all of this, Governor Buni remains humble, focused, and steady.
He has shown that he is a thoughtful leader, a problem-solver, and someone who brings people together. In Governor Buni, Nigeria has found a leader whose impact reaches beyond Yobe State and into the nation’s political history.
Yusuf Ali is Senior Special Assistant, Digital and Strategic Communications.
