The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the appointment of Halima Shehu as the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). This decision came after a motion was approved by Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti) at the Committee of the Whole.
Prior to her confirmation, the Senate suspended its rules to allow Shehu and other guests into the chamber. Shehu was led into the chamber by Sen. Abdullahi Gumel, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate).
During her presentation, Shehu provided an overview of her career profile and professional experiences. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Masters degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria.
Shehu has over 10 years of experience in the banking industry, where she held various positions in banking operations. She started her career as a National Youth Corps Service (NYSC) member at Afri-Project Consortium, a project under the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). She then worked at InterCity Bank (ICB) Plc and later moved to Unity Bank Plc, where she served as an Audit and Internal Control Officer and headed the Customer Service, Cash, Clearing, and Funds Transfer Unit. She also worked with Access Bank as a Branch Services Operations Manager.
In addition to her banking experience, Shehu served as a member of the Board of Internal Revenue and was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Katsina State from 2011 to 2015. In 2016, she demonstrated her commitment to regional diplomacy and democratic processes by joining the Electoral Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a member for Presidential Election observation in Cape Verde Island.
Shehu has also worked closely with the pioneer Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development as a Consultant and Technical Adviser. She held the position of National Programme Coordinator for the National Cash Transfer Office, a World Bank and Government Funded Programme by the Abacha Resituated Fund (ARF).
During the confirmation hearing, Shehu expressed her appreciation to the Senate for establishing the legal framework for the social investment programme agency. She emphasized that the agency, under her leadership, will ensure transparency in the implementation of the various programmes and the fair selection of vulnerable Nigerians across the country.
Shehu concluded by assuring the Senate that the agency will fully and effectively implement the programmes to achieve their goals and objectives.
This is an important development for the National Social Investment Programme Agency as it prepares to embark on a new chapter under the leadership of Halima Shehu as its National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment of Shehu brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the agency, ensuring that it continues to make a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.
