Early Life and Education
Ireti Heebah Kingibe was born on June 2, 1954, into a culturally diverse Nigerian family. Her father, Abdulkadri Lanval, had both Fulani and Yoruba roots, while her mother’s lineage traced back to Asaba and Bonny. This rich heritage shaped her broad-minded perspective on national unity and governance. She is also the younger sister of Ajoke Muhammed, the widow of Nigeria’s former Head of State, Murtala Muhammed.
Her early education began at Emotan Preparatory School, after which she attended Queen’s College, Lagos, from 1966 to 1967. She later moved to the United States, where she studied at Washington Irving High School from 1970 to 1973. Driven by a passion for engineering, she enrolled at the University of Minnesota and earned a degree in civil engineering between 1975 and 1980.
Quick Facts About Ireti Kingibe Biography
- Full Name: Ireti Heebah Kingibe
- Date of Birth: June 2, 1954
- Heritage: Mixed Fulani, Yoruba, Asaba, and Bonny ancestry
- Family Ties: Younger sister of Ajoke Muhammed (widow of former Nigerian Head of State, Murtala Muhammed)
Education
- Primary School: Emotan Preparatory School
- Secondary School: Queen’s College, Lagos (1966–1967)
- High School: Washington Irving High School, USA (1970–1973)
- University: University of Minnesota, USA (1975–1980)
- Degree: Civil Engineering
Professional Career
- First Engineering Job: Quality Control Engineer at Bradley Precast Concrete Inc., USA (1978–1979)
- Design Engineer: Minnesota Department of Transportation (1979–1981)
- NYSC Service: Project Supervisor, Nigerian Air Force Base, Ikeja, Lagos (1981–1982)
- Notable Workplaces:
- New Nigeria Construction Company, Kaduna (1982–1985)
- Belsam Limited (Consultant)
- Lodigiani Nigeria Limited, Lagos (Regional Engineer, 1990–1994)
- Current Role: Senior Partner at Kelnic Associates, Abuja
Political Career
- First Political Appointment: Adviser to the National Chairman, Social Democratic Party (SDP) (1990)
- First Election Attempt: Contested for FCT Senate seat under ANPP (2003)
- Party Affiliations:
- SDP (1990s)
- ANPP (2003)
- PDP (2006)
- APC (2014)
- Labour Party (2022–present)
- 2023 Election Victory:
- Contested under Labour Party
- Defeated three-term incumbent Philip Aduda
- Became the first female senator of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
- Current Senate Role: Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs (2023–present)
Personal Life
- Husband: Baba Gana Kingibe (Nigerian diplomat and politician)
Notable Achievements
- First female senator to represent the FCT
- Advocate for women’s rights, youth empowerment, and infrastructure development
- Actively pushing for policies that improve FCT residents’ inclusion in governance
Engineering Career and Professional Achievements
Ireti Kingibe’s career in engineering started in the United States, where she worked as a quality control engineer at Bradley Precast Concrete Inc. from 1978 to 1979. She then took up a role with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, where she contributed as a design engineer between 1979 and 1981.
Upon returning to Nigeria for her mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) assignment, she was deployed as a project supervisor at the Nigerian Air Force base in Ikeja, Lagos, in 1981. Over the next few years, she built a strong professional portfolio, working with reputable companies like New Nigeria Construction Company in Kaduna (1982-1985) and Lodigiani Nigeria Limited in Lagos (1990-1994).
Currently, she is a senior partner at Kelnic Associates, a consulting firm based in Abuja.
Political Journey
Entry into Politics
Ireti Kingibe’s political career took off in 1990 when she was appointed as an adviser to the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Her first attempt at an elective position came in 2003 when she contested for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial seat under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Though she did not win, this experience marked the beginning of her active engagement in Nigerian politics.
Shifting Party Allegiances and Renewed Political Aspirations
Over the years, Ireti Kingibe switched political affiliations in her quest to contribute meaningfully to governance. In 2006, she joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but later moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014. She attempted to secure the APC senatorial ticket in 2015 but later withdrew from the race.
Historic Victory in the 2023 Elections
Her breakthrough came in 2023 when she contested under the Labour Party for the FCT Senate seat. Running on a platform of change and progressive leadership, she defeated the long-serving incumbent, Philip Aduda, marking a historic win as the first female senator to represent the Federal Capital Territory.
Legislative Priorities and Leadership Role
Since assuming office, Ireti Kingibe has focused on policies that improve infrastructure, promote women’s rights, and create better opportunities for young people. She has been a strong advocate for the inclusion of FCT residents in national decision-making.
Recognizing her leadership capabilities, the Nigerian Senate appointed her as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs in August 2023. In this role, she continues to champion gender-related policies and programs aimed at empowering Nigerian women.
Personal Life
Ireti Kingibe is married to Baba Gana Kingibe, a well-respected Nigerian diplomat and politician who has held several strategic positions in government, including serving as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Conclusion
Ireti Kingibe’s journey from engineering to politics is a testament to her resilience, intelligence, and dedication to service. Her election as the first female senator of the FCT signifies a growing shift toward more inclusive governance in Nigeria. With her background in both engineering and politics, she is well-equipped to drive policies that will positively impact her constituents and the nation at large.
FAQs
Q1: What is Ireti Kingibe’s educational background?
A1: She holds a degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota, earned between 1975 and 1980.
Q2: Which political parties has she been affiliated with?
A2: Over the years, she has been a member of the SDP, ANPP, PDP, APC, and currently, the Labour Party.
Q3: What milestone did she achieve in the 2023 elections?
A3: She became the first woman to represent the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Nigerian Senate.
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