Bukola Saraki
Former Senate President (8th National Assembly)
Start here · Key findings
What the record shows
- 01
Tried at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on false-asset-declaration charges; fully acquitted by the Supreme Court on 6 July 2018. Lost his Senate seat in 2019 to APC's Ibrahim Oloriegbe. No criminal conviction recorded.
High confidence · 85%
Identity & Background
Asset declaration notes
Filed CCB declarations as Governor and Senator. Subject of high-profile 2015-2018 CCT trial which ended in Supreme Court acquittal. Confidence: 90%
| Relation | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| father | Dr. Olusola Saraki (Kwara political godfather; died 2012) | — |
| spouse | Toyin Saraki | — |
| child | Multiple children | — |
| family background | Wealthy Yoruba Muslim political dynasty in Kwara | — |
| Institution | Qualification | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Corona School, Lagos | Primary | 1960–? |
| King's College, Lagos | Secondary | 1970–? |
| Cheltenham College, UK | A-Levels | 1979–1981 |
| London Hospital Medical College | MBBS | 1981–1987 |
Senate President (2015-2019); former Governor of Kwara State (2003-2011); son of Dr. Olusola Saraki, 'Strongman of Kwara politics'.
Fiscal & Debt Profile
Senate President (8th National Assembly)
9 Jun 2015 – 9 Jun 2019
Tenure-Bookended Debt Position
At swearing-in
—
At handover
—
Net change
—
Loan Agreements / Borrowing Authorised
No loans on record.
Major Projects Funded
No projects on record.
Audit Findings & Accountability Issues
No audit findings on record for this tenure.
Senator (Kwara Central)
2011 – 2019
Tenure-Bookended Debt Position
At swearing-in
—
At handover
—
Net change
—
Loan Agreements / Borrowing Authorised
No loans on record.
Major Projects Funded
No projects on record.
Audit Findings & Accountability Issues
No audit findings on record for this tenure.
Governor of Kwara State
29 May 2003 – 29 May 2011 · Kwara
Tenure-Bookended Debt Position
At swearing-in
29 May 2003
At handover
29 May 2011
Net change
+₦33.5bn
Loan Agreements / Borrowing Authorised
| Facility | Lender | Amount | Stated purpose | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shonga Farms commercial agriculture project | — | — | Major state-debt-financed agricultural project — significant capital outlay | disbursed |
| World Bank IDA operations | World Bank | — | Various subnational facilities | disbursed |
Major Projects Funded
| Project | Sector | Stated cost | Funding | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shonga Farms (commercial agriculture) | — | — | — | Major signature project relocating Zimbabwean white farmers to Kwara state farms |
| Inherited father Olusola Saraki's Kwara political dynasty | — | — | — | Family political-machine continuation |
Audit Findings & Accountability Issues
No audit findings on record for this tenure.
Special Assistant to President Obasanjo on Budget
2000 – 2003
Tenure-Bookended Debt Position
At swearing-in
—
At handover
—
Net change
—
Loan Agreements / Borrowing Authorised
No loans on record.
Major Projects Funded
No projects on record.
Audit Findings & Accountability Issues
No audit findings on record for this tenure.
Tenures & Public Office
| Office | Period | Party | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Senate President (8th National Assembly) | 9 Jun 2015 – 9 Jun 2019 | — | — | |
Senator (Kwara Central) | 2011 – 2019 | — | — | |
Governor of Kwara State Kwara | 29 May 2003 – 29 May 2011 | — | — | |
Special Assistant to President Obasanjo on Budget | 2000 – 2003 | — | — |
Electoral History
| Election | Position | Party | Year | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Senate (Kwara Central) | Senator | PDP | 2019 | lost Lost (to APC's Oloriegbe) |
| 2015 Senate (Kwara Central) | Senator | APC | 2015 | won Won (re-elected) |
| 2011 Senate (Kwara Central) | Senator | PDP | 2011 | won Won |
| 2007 Kwara Governorship | Governor | PDP | 2007 | won Won (re-elected) |
| 2003 Kwara Governorship | Governor | PDP | 2003 | won Won |
Performance & Policies
Senate Presidency emergence (June 2015)
Emerged unopposed on 9 June 2015 when 57 senators conducted the election in the absence of APC's Ahmad Lawan from the chamber — controversy with APC over candidate
Code of Conduct Tribunal acquittal
Fully acquitted by the Supreme Court on 6 July 2018 on false-asset-declaration charges
Legislative agenda
Active legislative output in 8th Assembly; sponsored Petroleum Industry Bill iterations
Public Statements & Promises
"8th Senate motto: "Saraki Doctrine" — emphasising Senate independence"
"Multiple speeches on PIB reform"
"2022 PDP presidential aspirant"
Network & Relationships
Father
Predecessor as Senate President
Senate ally
Successor
Media Coverage
Extensive Channels TV, Arise TV interviews
- Premium Times
Premium Times investigative coverage of CCT trial
- International
International coverage (BBC, Reuters) of his Senate Presidency
Timeline
MBBS, London Hospital Medical College
Special Assistant to Obasanjo on Budget
Governor of Kwara State
Senator, Kwara Central
Code of Conduct Tribunal trial
Elected Senate President (controversial APC absence)
Acquitted by Supreme Court
Defected from APC to PDP
Lost Senate seat; handed over Senate Presidency to Lawan
Sources
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