Mallam Garba Shehu (born November 27, 1959) is a Nigerian journalist and politician who serves as the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari. He was the former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and spokesperson to the former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar.
Background
Shehu was born on December 12, 1962, in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria, where he was raised by his parents.
Education
- 1970 – Attended Dutse Primary School
- 1975 – Attended Barewa College, Zaria
- 1981 – Obtained Bachelor's Degree from Bayero University, Kano
Career
- 1982 – Started as Correspondent, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Sokoto
- 1984 – Became Energy Correspondent, Network News, Lagos
- Age 33 – Appointed Managing Director of Triumph
- Age 37 – Became President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors
- 2003 – Appointed Special Assistant on Media by Vice President Atiku Abubakar
- Later relieved by President Olusegun Obasanjo
- Continued at the Atiku Media Office (AMO) after dismissal
- 2015 – Appointed Director of Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council
- 2015 – Appointed Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, to President Buhari
- Reappointed in Buhari’s second term
- Writes as a columnist for Premium Times
Controversies
Zabarmari Massacre (November 2020)
- Boko Haram killed 66 people in Koshobe village, Borno State
- Shehu was criticized for stating that the victims didn't obtain military clearance to farm
Kankara Abduction (December 2020)
- 333 students abducted in Kankara, Katsina State
- Shehu claimed only 10 students were abducted, contradicting government reports
- Later apologized for misinformation
Reno Omokri Challenge (December 23, 2020)
- Reno Omokri challenged Shehu to spend a night in insecure areas like Koshobe or Kware
- Promised $20,000 reward
- Shehu refused, stating: > "If this is the money from the collections made in the name of Leah Sharibu, the unfortunate Christian girl stolen by Boko Haram, I won’t touch it with a long stick."
- His phrasing drew backlash from Nigerians who found it insensitive
References
- State House Profile – Garba Shehu(https://statehouse.gov.ng/)