Abdullahi Muhammad Sani

Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, popularly known as Dattijo (born October 26, 1979), is a Nigerian economist and public servant currently serving as Deputy Governor of Economic Policy at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) since 2023.

He played a key role in shaping the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a policy adviser to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He also served as Commissioner for Budget and Planning in Kaduna State, where he pioneered Nigeria’s first subnational Open Government Partnership (OGP) and led significant governance and budgetary reforms.

A TEDx speaker and author of Disruption: Rethinking Governance to Work for the Poor (2023), and adviser to the World Bank, Abdullahi is recognised for his contributions to economic policy and governance reform in Nigeria and globally.

Born on October 26, 1979, in Kaduna State, Nigeria, he developed an early interest in public policy and development. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Nigeria.

He later pursued advanced studies, obtaining a Master of Science in Development Economics from the University of Manchester and another Master’s Degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University. Abdullahi also attended certificate programs at institutions including the London School of Economics, Columbia University, and Oxford University.

In 2017, he was selected for the Georgetown Leadership Seminar at Georgetown University. In 2015, he served as a policy adviser to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, contributing to the development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As part of the UN’s Post-2015 Development Agenda team, he worked closely with Amina Mohammed, Nigeria’s former Minister of Environment and now UN Deputy Secretary-General, shaping global frameworks for inclusive development and participatory governance.

His contributions helped align global development priorities with the needs of developing nations like Nigeria. From 2015 to 2023, he served as Commissioner for Budget and Planning in Kaduna State under Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, spearheading reforms to improve budget transparency and efficiency.

He introduced Nigeria’s first subnational Open Government Partnership (OGP) in 2018, promoting citizen engagement and accountability. Abdullahi also aligned Kaduna’s budget with the SDGs, ensuring data-driven policy decisions on public spending.

His reforms reduced budget delivery timelines and increased public access to financial data, earning praise from the World Bank. Later, he briefly served as Chief of Staff to the Kaduna State Governor in 2021 before returning to the Ministry of Budget and Planning.

In 2023, Abdullahi was appointed Deputy Governor for Economic Policy at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), focusing on monetary policy, financial inclusion, and economic stabilisation. Under his leadership, the CBN launched an updated National Financial Inclusion Strategy targeting women, youth, and rural populations.

He has contributed to redesigning Nigeria’s monetary policy framework, advocating for data-driven and forward-looking approaches to inflation targeting. His tenure emphasised restoring investor confidence, improving foreign exchange management, and supporting SMEs through revised credit policies.

Abdullahi serves as a Senior Policy Adviser to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, providing guidance on economic development, governance, and intergovernmental coordination. He is also a member of the World Bank’s Expert Advisory Council on Citizen Engagement, advising on participatory governance models globally.

His expertise has been sought by international organisations for insights into development economics and public administration. Abdullahi is the author of Disruption: Rethinking Governance to Work for the Poor (published July 2, 2023), exploring innovative governance models to address poverty and inequality.

A frequent public speaker, he delivered TEDx talks in 2017 and 2018 on governance, leadership, and sustainable development. His speeches emphasise the role of young leaders in transforming African governance systems.

Recognised for leadership in public policy and governance reform, he holds fellowships such as the African Leadership Institute (2017) and was honoured by Archbishop Desmond Tutu (2011) for contributions to African development. Abdullahi is married and has children, advocating for mentorship and service outside public office.

He resides in Abuja, Nigeria, and is active in civic initiatives focused on transparency, inclusive growth, and nation-building. Though some critics note challenges in implementing reforms amidst Nigeria’s political complexities, Abdullahi remains widely regarded as a technocrat and reformist dedicated to transparent governance and economic development.