Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru Idris, FCA, is a distinguished Nigerian government official, diplomat, and financial management expert who currently serves as the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in Kogi State. Widely regarded as a thoroughbred professional and an accomplished public affairs manager, he has demonstrated exceptional capacity in financial administration, political leadership, and strategic state management. As noted in the document, he is recognized as “a tested public affairs manager… [who] has demonstrated uncommon capacity in financial management, political leadership and at the highest levels of State management.”
His tenure as Commissioner has been marked by transformative reforms that stabilized the state’s finances and strengthened public-sector accountability. After an impressive first term, he earned the confidence of Governor Yahaya Bello and was reappointed in January 2020 as Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning—a position he continues to hold with distinction. The document highlights that he “played a key role in spearheading several financial reforms which helped in stabilizing the finances of the State.”
Early Life and Education
Born on December 22, 1975, in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area, Mukadam Asiru Idris grew up in a humble and hardworking family. His father, Asiru Ijagbemi, is a farmer, while his mother, Hajia Hawawu Ijagbemi, is the Iyalaje Bagido of Isanlu. He attended AUD Primary School, Bagido Isanlu, and later St. Kizito’s College, Isanlu, where he completed his secondary education.
He obtained a Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics/Mathematics from the College of Education, Oro, Kwara State, before proceeding to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated with a Second Class Upper Division in Accounting. He later earned a Master’s degree in Accounting from Kogi State University, Anyigba, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Leadership and Strategic Studies at the Federal University, Lokoja.
A consummate professional, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation. He is also affiliated with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers.
His academic journey includes international exposure, notably earning a PhD in Strategies for Inclusive Growth from the Harvard Kennedy School and completing an advanced workshop on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) implementation in London in March 2024.
Banking Career
Mukadam Asiru Idris began his professional career at Zenith Bank, where he rose through the ranks due to his diligence and exceptional performance. Starting as an Executive Assistant and Head Teller, he later became Senior Executive Assistant in Vault Administration, Assistant Bank Officer in Administration, and eventually Banking Officer overseeing Retail and Commercial Banking. His innovative leadership contributed to a “balance sheet size… increased by over $35 million in the financial year 2008/2009.”
He later served as Assistant Manager and Head of Corporate Banking, managing high-value portfolios and major corporate relationships, before becoming Branch Manager of Zenith Bank, Obajana, in 2015.
Public Service and Government Leadership
His outstanding performance in the banking sector attracted the attention of Governor Yahaya Bello, who appointed him Special Adviser on Finance and Economic Management in 2016. He later served as Acting Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, where he introduced several groundbreaking reforms.
Among his notable achievements:
– Establishment of the Economic and Investment Management Team to attract investors to the state.
– Institutionalization of the Single Treasury Account (TSA), which strengthened financial transparency and reduced leakages.
– Leadership of the World Bank’s SFTAS program, which positioned Kogi State as “1st among the 36 States of the Federation for the 2019 fiscal year.”
– Restructuring of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) into 11 directorates for improved efficiency.
– Introduction of the 32‑year Kogi State Strategic Development Plan.
His strategic leadership also earned him appointments to several national and state-level committees, including the Ajaokuta Presidential Project Implementation Team (APPIT), where he served as a member in 2020
Awards and Recognitions
Mukadam Asiru Idris has received numerous awards, including:
– Kogi State Government Commendation Award of Excellence (2018) for his contributions to the SFTAS program.
– Multiple academic awards from Ahmadu Bello University for being the best Accounting student at 100 and 200 levels.
– A commendation letter from the MD/CEO of Zenith Bank in 2002 for outstanding teamwork.
Personal Life
He is married to Rukayat Asiru Idris, and they are blessed with three children. He enjoys tennis, reading, football, and traveling. The document notes that “he is a tennis player, a reader, a footballer and likes travelling.”
