UMARU AJIYA: EXPERIENCE, SERVICE AND A VISION FOR SOKOTO EAST

 

By Umar Umb

Insight Tribune News, Abuja, Nigeria

Alhaji Umaru Ajiya Isa, popularly known as Ajiyan Sokoto, has built a distinguished career spanning the Nigerian oil and gas industry, corporate finance, community development and public service.

Ajiya, a former Chief Financial Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), brings more than three decades of professional experience in finance, corporate management and the petroleum sector. His career has included senior responsibilities within Nigeria's energy industry, giving him extensive exposure to financial management, strategic planning and institutional administration.

His professional background has increasingly become part of the public conversation surrounding his political ambition in Sokoto East Senatorial District. In 2026, he emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the district ahead of the 2027 general elections.

A Career Built on Finance and National Energy

One of the defining aspects of Ajiya's career is his experience in the petroleum industry. His tenure as a senior financial executive at NNPCL placed him within one of Nigeria's most strategically important economic institutions.

That experience has shaped his public emphasis on accountability, effective management of public resources and the need for government spending to produce measurable benefits for citizens.

His understanding of finance has also featured prominently in his arguments about national security. Speaking in 2026, Ajiya said his experience in financial management had taught him the importance of tracking funds and ensuring that resources appropriated for security are properly utilised.

Community Development and Humanitarian Support

Beyond his corporate career, Ajiya has been associated with community-oriented initiatives, particularly in education and support for vulnerable members of society.

Reports have highlighted his support for scholarship programmes for indigenes of Isa Local Government Area, educational materials for schools and socioeconomic assistance to vulnerable women.

His involvement in educational development was also reflected in his participation in programmes encouraging young people to pursue practical skills, entrepreneurship and careers that match their interests.

In 2026, Sokoto State University also conferred an honorary doctorate on Ajiya in recognition of contributions to public service and national development.

Security, Education and Economic Development

As he presents his vision for Sokoto East, Ajiya has identified security, education and economic development among the major priorities requiring attention.

He has argued that insecurity has consequences far beyond the immediate threat to lives and property, because it affects farming, commerce, education and the wider economy. He has therefore advocated stronger intelligence gathering, better equipment for security agencies and closer cooperation between citizens and government.

He has also spoken about the need to restore educational opportunities in communities affected by insecurity, noting that displaced populations occupying schools can prevent children from accessing education.

A Focus on Representation and Development

Ajiya has said that, if elected, he would work with other members of the National Assembly and relevant government institutions to attract development projects to Sokoto East while advocating equitable allocation of national resources.

He has also publicly emphasised transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

His political emergence therefore comes against the background of a professional career in finance and the energy sector, alongside a record of community engagement and philanthropy.

For Sokoto East, the central question in the political conversation will be how candidates translate their professional experience, policy priorities and community commitments into effective representation and measurable development.

For Umaru Ajiya, his stated priorities place security, education, economic opportunity, accountability and inclusive development at the centre of his public-service agenda.

As the 2027 political season approaches, his experience in Nigeria's petroleum industry and his longstanding involvement in community initiatives will remain important parts of the public discussion surrounding his aspiration to represent Sokoto East at the National Assembly.

Insight Tribune News

Abuja, Nigeria