Abdullahi Shitu
Community Organizer, YIAGA Africa
Abdullahi Shitu, currently serving as the Executive Director at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Memorial Center in Bauchi, spearheads a non-partisan institution dedicated to policy advocacy and fostering youth inclusion in politics. Holding the position of YIAGA Africa’s Community Organizer, he brings extensive expertise in grassroots mobilization and engagement to the table. Shitu holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Aviation Management from the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), and is also certified as a financial modelling and valuation analyst (FMVA) by the Corporate Finance Institute in Canada.
In 2018, Shitu embarked on his civic and political journey in Bauchi State, notably contributing to the ‘Not-Too-Young-To-Run’ campaign and collaborating with key stakeholders in the Bauchi State House of Assembly to expedite the passage of crucial legislation. His entry into mainstream politics occurred in 2023, when he assumed the role of Director of Media and Strategy for Sen. Shehu Buba’s campaign, orchestrating the mobilization of thousands of voters across seven local government areas of Bauchi South Senatorial District.
As an educator and aspiring federal lawmaker hailing from the North-East, an area plagued by a high prevalence of out-of-school children, Shitu envisions a Nigeria where this statistic is drastically reduced. He aims to achieve this through legislative measures ensuring universal, gender-blind access to basic education, thereby fostering a knowledge-based economy conducive to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
The Emerging Political Leader Fellowship presents an invaluable opportunity for Shitu to refine his skills, enhance his professional endeavours, collaborate with diverse peers, and access mentorship from seasoned politicians and influential civil society figures. Equipped with this transformative experience, he is poised to confront Nigeria’s challenges with confidence and efficacy, emerging as a capable leader ready to effect positive changes
