Amina Zakari appointed as new Acting Chairman of INEC.

Amina Bala Zakari has been appointed as the new Acting Chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following Prof. Attahiru
Jega’s end of the term in office.
According to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Barr. Danladi
Kifasi, the appointment takes effect from June 30, 2015 until the appointment
of a substantive Chairman. The information was disclosed in a statement
signed by Haruna Imrana, Director of Communications for the Head of Civil
Service of the Federation.

Earlier today the Nation reported about Atahiru Jega handing over the
leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to his
successor, Ahmed Wali.

It would be recalled that about three months ago there were rumours about
the presidency planning to replace Prof. Jega with Amina Bala Zakari. But at
that moment the plot to remove the INEC chairman generated a lot of criticism
and reactions from political parties , concerned Nigerians and groups .
After awhile the Federal Government shortlisted 4 possible candidates to
replace the INEC boss.

What you should know about Amina Bala Zakari:

Amina Bala Zakari, who is presently a National Electoral Commissioner at
INEC, is a pharmacist by profession hails from Jigawa State. She completed
her Secondary Education from the prestigious Queens College Yaba,
Lagos. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.sc) degree in Pharmacy
with Second Class upper (Best Graduating Student) in 1980 from Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria.

After completing the National Youth Service, she worked as a Professional
Pharmacist in various hospitals from 1983 – 1996. She then moved into the
consultancy field to serve in various capacities as a consultant in Health and
Social Services from 1997 up till her appointment as National Commissioner,
INEC.

She has also served as a Special Assistant to the President and was posted to
FCT where she served as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Social
Development and Agriculture and Rural Development from 2004 – 2007.

Her Consultancy services covered Federal MDAs (FMWH, NAFDAC, NPHCDA
etc) MDGs and the Private Sector. Amina Bala Zakari is a registered
Pharmacist and Member Pharmacist’s Society of Nigeria as well as Member of
Nigeria Institute of Management (MNIM).

Other qualifications obtained include, Certificate in Managing Drugs Supply for
Primary Health Care from MHS Amsterdam in 1997, Certificate in Project
Management 1998, Certificate in Senior Management from Crown Agents
London in 2005 Certificate in Executive Education in Business Management
from Harvard Business School.