Katsina State Governor Alh. Ibrahim Shema

Ibrahim Shema was born on 22nd September, 1952 at Dustin-ma in Katsina State. He attended Nasarawa Primary School, Katsina (1964-1971) and Government Secondary School, Kafanchan (1972-1976). He studied at the College of Arts, Science & Technology, Zaria from 1977 to 1980, when he gained admission into Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating with an LLB in 1983. A year later, he obtained his B.L at the Nigeria Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos. While practicing law, he studied for a Master of Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, which he obtained in 1998.
Ibrahim Shehu Shema was Chief Legal Executive to National Fertilizer Company Limited (1984 – 1985), and Principal Partner in Shema, Oscar & Co Legal Practitioners in Lagos (1985-1987). He was Managing Director of Solidarity Holding Ltd, Kaduna (1987-1989), then Managing Director of Tools Manufacturing Company in Lagos.


Ibrahim Shehu Shema was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Katsina State (August 1999 - May 2003), after which he returned to his private legal practice in Kaduna. In January 2005, he was appointed a member of the People democratic party (PDP) Special Committee on the Anambra Crisis. He became National Chairman (North) of the PDP (September 2005 - November 2006). At the same time, he was Chairman, PDP National Disciplinary Committee and Chairman, Governing Council, Peoples Democratic Institute. He was appointed Chairman, National Reconciliation Committee for the South-South (May to June 2006). He also served as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) (December 2005 to November 2006)


Ibrahim Shema was elected Governor of Katsina State in April 2007, as successor to Ummaru Yar'adua, who had been elected President. He took office in May 2009. Shema has been described as a "stingy governor," since he has refused to open the State's vault for Katsina politicians, a characteristic he shares with his sponsor, Yar'Adua .
A PDP leader in Katsina, Tasiu Umar Mashi, was killed in November 2009 in the office of Katsina State Commissioner of Police Danazumi Doma. Controversy over the event stirred up tensions between rival PDP factions, the one supporting Shema and the other led by the the Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr. Abba Sayyadi Ruma.