Meet Halima Shehu: The New NSIPA National Coordinator

The Senate, on Wednesday, confirmed the appointment of a Distinguished Abusite and skilled banker, Hajia Halima Shehu as the new National Coordinator, of the National Social Investment Programme Agency. Below is everything you need to know about the new NSIPA National Coordinator.

Hajiya Halima Shehu was born in Katsina State, She attended Ambuttai Primary School (Presently Musa Yar’adua Primary School Katsina), Federal Government College Kaduna, and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria where she graduated with a B. A in English and a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy.

She served as a Youth Corps member at Afri-Project Consortium, a project under the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). She has a decade of banking experience(1999–2009) from former InterCity Bank(ICB) PLC where she was an Audit and Internal Control Officer to Unity Bank PLC where she headed the Customer Service, Cash, Clearing and Funds Transfer unit Then she moved to Access Bank where she resigned as a Branch Services Head(Branch Operations Manager).

Some courses she studied while working under InterCity(Unity) & Access Bank include Modular training, Training on Banking Operation, New Accounting System, New Credit Accord, Service Excellence 85 Customer Care Programme, Money Laundering, Compliance Officers Course, Audit Command Language using Software (ACL), E-asi Bank Software Application.

On the 18th of October 2023, The Nigerian Senate confirmed the appointment of Halima Shehu as the new National Coordinator of, the National Social Investment Programme Agency.

She was a member of the Board of Internal Revenue and was also appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Katsina State, a role that extended from the year 2011 through 2015.

In the year 2016, She made a significant commitment to her role in regional diplomacy and democratic processes by becoming an esteemed member of the Electoral Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for Presidential Election observation at Cape Verde Island.

She worked closely with the pioneer Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD) both as a consultant and technical Adviser from the Refugee Commission to the Ministry, where she held the position of the National Program Co-ordinator for the National Cash Transfer Office, a World Bank and Government Funded Programme by the Abacha Restituted Funds(ARF).

Under her co-ordination and Supervision, the program touched the lives of 2 Million poor and vulnerable homes which translated to 10.2 million individuals across the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, in 613 Local Governments(L.G.A), 55,000 Communities, and 7,000 Political wards.

She fully digitized the Programme by phasing out physical cash payments and opening 2 million accounts for the beneficiaries across Commercial, Micro-Finance Banks and Payment Service Providers PSPs, Distributing Debit Cards and taking the beneficiaries through Financial Literacy Training in their Local language(s).

This strengthened the accountability and transparency process of the program and made it the biggest Financial Inclusion Program not only in Nigeria but in West Africa at large.

In the lead-up to the highly anticipated Tinubu/Shetima Presidential Campaign for the 2022/2023 election season, Hajiya Halima Shehu assumed the prestigious and impactful role of National Director for the Social Investment and Humanitarian Directorate.

She proved her dedication to making a positive and tangible impact on the welfare and well-being of the electorate process and the broader community throughout the campaign period.

During the All Progressives Congress Presidential Primary Election of 2022, She held the distinguished position of Zonal Secretary for the North West on the Social Welfare Committee, where she played a crucial role in facilitating and coordinating the party’s efforts in ensuring the well-being and social welfare of the constituents and party members within the North West region, contributing to the fair and effective execution of the election process and upholding the party’s commitment to social welfare.

At the All Progressives Congress National Convention that unfolded in March 2022, She actively contributed her expertise and insights as a Member of the Digital Communication Committee, a vital role that involved harnessing the power of modern digital platforms to effectively communicate and engage with the party’s constituents and the broader public, thus shaping the party’s digital presence and outreach strategies.

Participating in the vibrant and momentous gathering of the All Progressives Congress National Women Conference held in December 2021, Hajiya Halima Shehu assumed the role of Member of the National Planning and Organizing Committee, contributing her expertise and dedication to ensure the event’s success and meaningful outcomes.

During the period spanning from July to October 2021, in Osun State, she actively participated in the electoral processes of the All Progressives Congress Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses Election, where she was entrusted with the role of Secretary.

In February 2019, Hajiya Halima Shehu played a vital role as a member of the Logistics Committee within the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.

Hajiya Halima has attended several World Bank Programs in Nigeria, Kenya, and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.