Yahaya Adoza Bello CON, born on June 18, 1975, is a Nigerian businessman and politician who served as Kogi State governor from 2016 to 2024. A member of the All Progressives Congress, Bello was the youngest governor in Nigeria during his tenure. He studied accounting and business administration at Ahmadu Bello University and began his political career after a loss in the APC gubernatorial primary. Bello later took over the party nomination and was elected governor amidst controversy. His time in office was marked by his relative youth, controversial statements, and questionable expenditures.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Yahaya Adoza Bello |
| Date Of Birth: | June 18, 1975 |
| State Of Origin: | Kogi State, Nigeria |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Spouses: | Rashida BelloAmina Oyiza BelloHafisat Bello |
| Occupation: | Politician, Entrepreneur |
| Political Party: | All Progressive Congress |
| Net Worth: | $50,000 |
Early Life And Education
Bello, the youngest of six children, was born in Okene, Kogi State on June 18, 1975. He began his education at Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Primary School in Agassa in 1984 and excelled in various leadership roles.
After high school, Bello obtained his certifications from Agassa Community Secondary School and Government Secondary School in Suleja, Niger State.
He furthered his education at Kaduna State Polytechnic and Ahmadu Bello University, earning a degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration.
In 2004, he became a chartered fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria. Aside from academics, Bello is passionate about sports, particularly boxing.
Political Career
In 2015, Bello became the winner of the Kogi gubernatorial election after being selected by the All Progressives Congress to replace Abubakar Audu, who passed away before the election results were announced.
He secured a second term victory on November 16, 2019, defeating PDP nominee Musa Wada by a significant margin. Bello, crowned as the youngest governor in Nigeria, is also the only governor born after the Nigerian Civil War.
He expressed his intention to run in the 2023 presidential elections, with notable support from the Bello Ambassadors Network led by Edogbo Anthony, boasting a large membership of over two million Nigerians.
Controversies and Legal Issues
In September 2020, Bello was placed on a US visa ban list for alleged electoral fraud and incitements to violence. Despite activists applauding the move, Bello disputed the accusations, claiming the 2019 Kogi State gubernatorial election was fair.
Known for using chants mimicking gunshots, he repeated one at a rally in 2020, drawing criticism for alleged voter intimidation.
Bello faced controversy during the COVID-19 pandemic by downplaying the virus, rejecting vaccines, and spreading misinformation about its severity and origin.
In addition, Bello falsely claimed to receive an honorary professorship from a university that does not offer such courses or degrees.
In his early days as governor, Bello faced corruption allegations related to the approval of large sums from security funds in installments, totalling ₦260 million, alongside substantial expenditures for his office’s renovation amounting to over ₦148 million.
These expenses were defended by the state government citing security concerns and the need for a habitable Government House.
Furthermore, Bello and his administration were accused of corruption for alleged mismanagement of funds, including suspicious withdrawals and budget inconsistencies, with claims submitted to the EFCC by various groups.
Despite budget allocations for COVID-19 measures, scrutiny revealed discrepancies, including funds allocated for initiatives that critics argued were never implemented, leading to concerns of financial impropriety.
Additionally, the Anti-Corruption Network released a report accusing Bello of laundering public funds, prompting investigations and further allegations of misconduct. The Bello administration dismissed these accusations as politically motivated.
The Kogi State government came under scrutiny after it was reported in March 2021 that over ₦90 million was spent on a COVID-19 tracking software that was said to cost only ₦300,000. The exorbitant expenditure raised concerns, with calls for investigations from rights groups.
Furthermore, in August 2021, the EFCC froze the Kogi State Salary Bailout Sterling Bank account on suspicions of misappropriation, citing unauthorized transfers amounting to billions.
The bank denied the existence of a fixed account with the stated amount, leading to a legal battle between the state government and the EFCC over the allegations of financial misconduct.
Subsequent developments, including the recovery of bailout funds, sparked further controversy and legal action between the Kogi State government and the EFCC.
Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, is currently facing a 19-count charge from the EFCC for alleged money laundering and misappropriation of ₦80.2 billion.
Despite two attempts to arrest him in April and September 2024, Bello eluded authorities with Governor Usman Ododo’s alleged help, leveraging his immunity as a governor.
Bello has appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn an arrest warrant issued in April, and the case is scheduled for adjournment until October 30, 2024.
Personal Life
Yahaya Adoza Bello, born on June 18, 1975, in Okene, Kogi State, is a prominent Nigerian politician and businessman.
He is married to Rashida Bello, an active advocate for women’s empowerment through her foundation, the Kogi Women and Youth Advancement Foundation.
Bello, known for his dedication to family and community service, reportedly has five children and prioritizes their education by paying substantial school fees.
Yahaya Bello Net Worth
Estimates of Yahaya Bello’s net worth differ greatly depending on the source. One report suggests it is around $300 million, citing investments in agriculture and real estate.
Another source indicates a significantly lower net worth of approximately $5.6 million, placing him as the 8th richest governor in Nigeria.
Awards and Recognitions
- Torchbearer of Security Award
- Daily Sun governor of the year award
- Gender equality award (National Council of Women’s Societies)
- NUJ role model award
- Icon on Security award (Association of Nigerians in Diaspora)
- Security Personality of the Year (Institute of Security and Strategic Studies)
- Hero of Women Inclusion award (National Association of Women Entrepreneurs)
- ICAN Novel Accountability Index Award (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria)
- Presidential Award for Security Management
