Kashim Shettima is the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in office since 29 May 2023. A former banker, Governor of Borno State and senator, he is the running mate of President Bola Tinubu. This neutral biography covers his early life, education, career and political record, based on published reports.
Editorial note: last checked on 25 October 2026. See also our profile of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Kashim Shettima at a glance
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 September 1966, Maiduguri, Borno State |
| Father | Shettima Mustafa Kuttayibe |
| Education | Government Science Secondary School, Potiskum; BSc Agricultural Economics, University of Maiduguri (1989); MSc, University of Ibadan (1991) |
| Career | Lecturer; banker at Commercial Bank of Africa, African International Bank and Zenith Bank |
| Offices | Governor of Borno State (2011 to 2019); Senator, Borno Central (2019 to 2023); Vice President (since 2023) |
| Family | Married Nana Shettima in 1998; three children |
Early life, education and banking
Shettima was born in Maiduguri and studied agricultural economics at the University of Maiduguri and the University of Ibadan. He lectured at Maiduguri from 1991 to 1993 and then built a banking career, working in Lagos, Kaduna and Maiduguri and rising to a regional general manager at Zenith Bank.
Governor of Borno State
In 2007 he became Borno’s Commissioner for Finance and later held several other commissioner roles. He won the governorship election on 26 April 2011 and was re-elected in 2015, governing during the Boko Haram insurgency. His administration focused on rebuilding, including the Safe Schools Initiative, more than 40 mega schools and housing projects, and a ministry for reconstruction and resettlement. In 2014 he publicly said Boko Haram was better armed than the Nigerian military, a remark that caused a rift with the federal government.
Senator and Vice President
He served as Senator for Borno Central from June 2019 to May 2023. After INEC declared Bola Tinubu the winner of the 2023 presidential election, Shettima was sworn in as Vice President on 29 May 2023, succeeding Yemi Osinbajo. In September 2024 he represented Nigeria at the 79th UN General Assembly.
Frequently asked questions
When did Shettima become Vice President?
On 29 May 2023.
What did he do before politics?
He lectured in agricultural economics and worked in banking.
Which state did he govern?
Borno State, from 2011 to 2019.
