Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai

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Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai (name often seen prefaced with the honorific Mallam) (b. 16 February 1960) was Minister of the Abuja Federal Capital Territory from 16 July 2003 till 29 May 2007. He is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). He received secondary education at the elite Barewa College, Zaria and earned his millions while he was still in his twenties. He went on to earn a Bachelor in Quantity Survey at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria - Nigeria. He also attended post-graduate programs at Harvard Business School and Georgetown University. From November 1999 to July 2003, he was the head of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and Member/Secretary of the National Council of Privatization where he spearheaded the privatization of many government owned companies. El-Rufai is a known crusader against corruption : having previously successfully exposed legislators that demanded bribe from him for ministerial confirmation. He presided over a real estate boom backed by radical transformation of infrastructure and land use practices of the federal capital earlier riddled with corrupt and vast deviation from the original masterplan. Along with the President and members of the Economic Management Team, he led the reform of the Nigerian public service which had become dysfunctional during years of military dictatorship. Many view EL-Rufai as incorruptible public servant who can get the job done, especially after he ordered the demolition of the house of the Chairman of the ruling party in Nigeria. However, since the end of the Obasanjo administration, EL-Rufai has kept a very low profile, but still remains an Obasanjo loyalist having frequently defended the former President's policies. The administration of the current President, Umaru Yar'adua elected EL-Rufai to the Energy council due to the belief that he could contribute positively to the underachieving power sector of the country.on 30th April and 7th may 2008, el-rufai appeared before the Nigerian's national assembly committee on fct to explain some actions of his administrattion. He very well defended his actions and stoutly rejected cynics views on the allegation that he allocated plots of land to his friends, brother and chronies.