In a powerful endorsement of reform-driven leadership, Buhari Umar, Director of Budget at the Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, has clinched the prestigious 2024 Most Outstanding Public Administrator of the Year Award by Champion Newspapers.
The accolade, announced earlier this week, spotlights Umar’s trailblazing contributions to public finance management, fiscal transparency, and policy execution—earning him a respected seat among Nigeria’s new generation of transformative public servants.
In a congratulatory statement on Sunday, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayana, hailed the award as a “well-earned tribute to a man who has made excellence his standard and service his calling.”
“Under Umar’s stewardship,” Zayana said, “Sokoto’s budgeting architecture has undergone a remarkable shift—strategically aligning fiscal frameworks with development priorities and delivering real socio-economic dividends to our people.”
A Fellow of the Les-Aspin Center for Governance & Anti-Corruption in Washington, D.C., Umar is widely admired for his calm, analytical precision and his unwavering commitment to people-centered governance. His innovative approach to participatory budgeting and performance-based spending has earned him accolades across policy circles.
With Nigeria’s subnational governments facing growing calls for financial accountability and inclusive growth, many observers see Umar’s leadership as a model for reform-minded governance. Citizens and experts alike commend his work for setting a benchmark in effective resource utilization and outcome-based budgeting.
The Ministry described him as “a shining star, a tireless reformer, and an enduring symbol of what it means to serve with honour and integrity.”
As the spotlight falls on Buhari Umar, his rise is not just a personal triumph—but a bold signal that excellence in public service still commands national recognition.
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