Ibrahim Gaidam (born 15 September 1956) is a Nigerian politician and the current Minister of Police Affairs since 2023. He previously served as senator representing the Yobe East senatorial district from 2019 to 2023, and as governor of Yobe State from 2009 to 2019.

He became governor of Yobe State following the death of Governor Mamman Bello Ali on 26 January 2009. Previously, he served as deputy governor from 2007 to 2009 under Mamman Ali.

Ibrahim Gaidam was born in Bukarti village, Yunusari Local Government Area in present-day Yobe State. He attended the Borno Teachers' College (BTC), Maiduguri from 1974 to 1979, obtaining a Teachers' Certificate. He later attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, earning a Diploma in Accountancy (1981–1983), a BSc in Accountancy (1990), and became a Certified Public Accountant.

As an accountant, he worked in government ministries in Borno/Yobe State, including roles as assistant director of Finance in the Directorate of Foods, Roads and Rural Infrastructure, and acting Director of Finance and Supplies in the Yobe Information and Culture Ministry.

Gaidam left the civil service in 1995, serving as Commissioner for Youths and Sports and later Commissioner of Commerce and Industries. He returned to the civil service in 1997, holding director and permanent secretary roles in the State Finance Ministry and other ministries until 2007.

Party Positions

Policy positions from the All Progressives Congress (APC) party manifesto.

Agriculture

Launches the Irrigate Nigeria Project as a public-private partnership to develop small-scale irrigation and water catchment systems using modern technology to boost agricultural productivity.

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Security & Defense

Will deploy modern aerial surveillance and advanced technology to monitor and deter intrusions into oil pipelines, power stations, and other critical national infrastructure in real time.

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Environment & Climate

Accelerates the environmental cleanup and re-establishment of fisheries and profitable aquacultural activities in the Niger-Delta region to counter violent extremism and poverty-driven disaffection.

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Economy & Trade

Will implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and additional favorable policies to attract investment in deep-water assets within 6 months, including encouraging signature bonus negotiations and royalty reliefs.

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Infrastructure

Creates regional industrial hubs in specific zones (North West, North East, South East, South South, South West, North Central) to focus on labor-intensive manufacturing, with tailored investments (e.g., textiles, dry ports, glass, pottery, solid minerals, regulated mining).

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Enterprise grant support

Work with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to simplify loan processes for commercial banks, mandate federally owned banks to provide low-cost loans to youth-led enterprises, and expand business incubation centers to support youth innovation.

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Energy

Will mandate gas metering equipment on all facilities where gas flaring occurs within 6 months and establish a special enforcement unit to monitor compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) on gas flaring reduction, with non-compliance leading to financial penalties for affected communities.

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Governance & Reform

Reserve at least 3 cabinet positions for individuals under 40 and 6 more positions for members under the age of 40, and mandate that at least 20% of political appointments to Ministries/Dangomas (MDAs) be reserved for individuals under 40.

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Education

Raises the priority of addressing out-of-school children, establishes a task force to review and strengthen programs like school feeding, and aims to reduce disaffected youth recruitment by violent groups.

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Healthcare

Will establish a network of upgraded, equipped, and staffed general hospitals in every Local Government Area, tertiary facilities in each State, and world-class specialist hospitals in each geo-political zone to improve healthcare accessibility and quality.

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Technology & Digital

Supports the development of MSMEs through partnerships with fintech players to expand access to capital and business development services.

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Reliefs and scholarships

Commits to a conditional income support program requiring recipients to meet human capital goals (school attendance, healthcare, nutrition) in exchange for payments.

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