Suleiman Samaila Abdu

Samaila Suleiman was born on 3 February 1981 in Kaduna State, Nigeria, into a prominent Hausa political family. His father, Alhaji Abdu Suleiman, was an influential elder statesman and politician in Kaduna State.

He attended Kaduna Capital School for primary education (1988–1993) and secondary education (1994–1999). He later studied mechanical engineering at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, graduating in 2004. A subsequent master’s degree in International Affairs & Diplomacy was obtained from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between 2008 and 2009.

Before entering politics, Suleiman worked at Kaduna Refinery (2005–2006), Nigeria LNG (2007–2008), and the Energy Commission of Nigeria (2009–2010) before resigning to pursue political career.

He first held local government office as chairman of Kaduna North under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2012, representing a constituency previously associated with Nigeria’s former vice president from the PDP.

In 2015, Suleiman was elected to the House of Representatives on the APC ticket, succeeding Hon. Garba Mohammed Datti. He served as the second Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals after initially rejecting a chairmanship offer by Speaker Yakubu Dogara’s administration.

After resigning from APC in March 2022 over an interest by Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s son, Bello, in his seat, Suleiman joined the PDP. He contested the 2023 House of Representatives election under this platform but lost.