Ahmad Rufai Zakari (born 25 February 1984), is a Nigerian expert on financial infrastructure on power. Ahmed is the Executive Director of Gas Power Installed Fleet and Services for Nigeria/South Africa General Electric.[citation needed] He served as the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Infrastructure from 2019 to 2023
Ahmad Rufai Zakari | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 February 1984 |
| Nationality | Nigerian/USA |
| Known for |
|
| Title | Engineer and Consultant |
Early life and family edit
Ahmad was born on 25 February 1984[1] to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Zakari Kazaure of Jigawa State. His father, Mr. Zakari Kazaure was a banker and an economist before his death in 2000. He is the first child in the family of five (5) children.
Educational background edit
After attending secondary school in Nigeria, Ahmad got admission to study bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering/Economics from State University of New York at Buffalo,[2] and in 2006 at the age of 22 years he graduated. While in University, he developed interest in Oil and gas and financial infrastructure in Power.[3]
Career edit
From 2006 to 2008, he was among the youngest Engineer admitted to build a career at General Electric through a programme known as Edison Engineering Development Programme,[1] USA. He was later employed to work as an Electric Engineer at General Electric.[4]
From September 2012 to January 2014, Ahmad was the executive director and Audit manager of GE Corporate (aligned to Oil and Gas, Sub Saharan Africa & Middle East) and was the first African to be promoted to the position of Executive Audit Manager.
In 2013, he served as the co-chair[4] for the revamp of the Acquisition Integration Framework for GE leading 30 executives.
Between 2015 and 2017, he was the Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of General Electric, Nigeria.[5]
Achievements edit
Mr. Ahmad was the first African to be promoted to Executive Audit Manager Position and responsible for global financial/compliance audits and operational consulting for $20B GE Oil and Gas unit.[1]
He was responsible for the company's gas power installation based in Nigeria and South Africa. This amounts to over 150 turbines and up to 8GW of installed capacity.[6]
Awards and honours edit
- GE Power Services Middle East and Africa Team of the Year Award (SSA)[7]
- GE Global Chairman's Circle Award
- GE Corporate Audit Staff Individual Award – Sub Saharan Africa structural review
- GE Corporate Audit Staff Team Award – Global Growth Organization Shared Service Award
Political appointment edit
In 2019,[8] the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed[9] him as the Special Adviser[10] to the presidency on Infrastructure.[11][12] He was among the few youth appointed as aids to the presidency.
References edit
- ^ a b c "Impressive profiles of 6 presidential aides". Oak TV Newstrack. Oak TV. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "Ahmad Rufai Zakari is an expert in financial infrastructure". GlobalNoticeHub. GlobalNoticeHub. DIS. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "He has spent over 12 years working with General Electric". GlobalNoticeHub. GlobaNoticeHub. DIS. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ a b "He has spent over 12 years working with General Electric". GlobalNoticeHub. Global Notice Hub. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "POWER WEEK AFRICA, 10 - 14 September 2018, Johannesburg | Speakers". www.power-week.com. Power Week Africa. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "POWER WEEK AFRICA, 10 - 14 September 2018, Johannesburg | Speakers". www.power-week.com. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "Ahmad Rufai Zakari is an expert in financial infrastructure". GlobalNoticeHub. Global Notice Hub. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "Buhari Appoints Son Of Controversial INEC National Commissioner, Amina Zakari As Special Adviser On Infrastructure". ScanNews Nigeria. Scan News Nigeria. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "Buhari Appointed Amina Zakari's Brother As Minister, Son As Special Adviser For Helping To Rig Election –Kperogi". Sahara Reporters. Sahara Reporters. 1 September 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "Buhari Re-Appoints Femi Adesina, Garba Shehu As Media Aides". Channels Television. Channels TV News. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ "Buhari approves key appointments for Osinbajo's office - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
- ^ Laolu, Akande. "President Buhari Approves Re-Appointment of Ade Ipaye as Deputy Chief of Staff, Others – The State House, Abuja". Statehouse. State house. Retrieved 3 September 2019.