Brief Biography of Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman

Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman is a Nigerian lawyer who currently serves as the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security. Prior to this, she was appointed Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development in December 2008. She left office in March 2010 when Acting President Goodluck Jonathan dissolved his cabinet.

Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman was born in Argungu, a fishing community in Kebbi State. Her father was an area court judge, and her mother came from the Gwandu royal family. She was brought up in Birnin Kebbi and Argungu. In 1972, she obtained entry to Queens College, Lagos. She went on to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where she obtained a degree in law. She then went to the London School of Economics and Political Science where she gained a master’s degree in law.

Her first job as a lawyer was with the Ministry of Justice in the old Sokoto State. She then worked at Continental Merchant Bank, Lagos for seven years, and worked for a short time at NAL Merchant Bank before moving to Aluminum Smelter Company, where she was company secretary/legal adviser. After that, she worked at the Securities and Exchange Commission before being appointed Minister.