In an era where accountability and integrity are central to sustainable development, Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of the Cent...
In an era where accountability and integrity are central to sustainable development, Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), stands out as one of the leading voices driving reforms in governance, security, and anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria. Through a combination of rigorous research, innovative technology, and principled advocacy, Yakubu has positioned CeFTPI as a critical institution in the national and global fight against corruption and financial crimes.
Established in 2016, the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity is a non-governmental, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting accountability and transparency in the public sector. Under Umar Yakubu’s leadership, CeFTPI has expanded its mandate to include oversight of public finance, integrity systems, access to information, and public service delivery. The organization’s work reflects a clear vision: strengthening democratic governance by ensuring that public resources are managed responsibly and in the public interest.
Yakubu’s approach goes beyond advocacy. He emphasizes evidence-based policy engagement, public education, and institutional reform, ensuring that transparency is not just a slogan but a measurable practice embedded in governance systems.
Umar Yakubu brings to his role deep academic and professional expertise in national security and criminal justice. He holds a Ph.D. in Defence and Security Studies from the Nigeria Defence Academy, where his research focused on contemporary security challenges and organized crime. This background has enabled him to understand corruption not only as a governance failure but also as a major threat to national and regional security.
His work extends to active contributions to the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), where he supports global frameworks aimed at combating cross-border crime, money laundering, and illicit financial flows. Through capacity-building initiatives, Yakubu has trained and supported security agencies, civil society actors, and justice-sector stakeholders across Africa.
One of Yakubu’s most significant contributions is his emphasis on technology-driven accountability. Under his leadership, CeFTPI has developed and deployed innovative tools such as procurement trackers, asset recovery databases, crime tracking platforms, and data-driven monitoring systems. These tools are designed to expose inefficiencies, detect fraud, and enhance public oversight of government spending and procurement processes.
By leveraging technology, Yakubu has helped bridge the gap between citizens and governance institutions, empowering the public with information and strengthening institutional checks against corruption.
While CeFTPI’s primary focus is Nigeria, Umar Yakubu’s influence extends beyond national borders. His work in organized crime research, resilience building, and international cooperation has contributed to regional and global conversations on transparency, security sector reform, and anti-corruption strategies. Through partnerships with international organizations, research institutions, and development partners, he continues to promote best practices that align local reforms with global standards.
At the core of Umar Yakubu’s work is a commitment to integrity, professionalism, and public service. As head of programs on Organized Crime Research and Resilience, and leader of Intelligensys & Strategies Ltd and the Counter Fraud Center, he has consistently demonstrated that effective leadership requires both vision and action.
In a time when corruption and weak governance remain major obstacles to development, Umar Yakubu’s contributions represent a practical blueprint for reform—one that combines knowledge, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the public good. Through his leadership at CeFTPI, he continues to play a vital role in shaping a more transparent, accountable, and secure Nigeria, while contributing meaningfully to global anti-corruption and governance efforts.
Beyond his national and international engagements, Umar Yakubu has remained deeply rooted in his community, particularly his hometown of Kakaki and surrounding neighbourhoods in Zaria, KadunaState. His commitment to grassroots development reflects a strong sense of belonging, cultural pride, and responsibility toward his people. Rather than distancing himself from his roots, he has consistently demonstrated that meaningful leadership begins at home.
In Kakaki and nearby communities, Umar Yakubu is widely known for his quiet but impactful support to individuals and families in need. His interventions span educational assistance, support for vulnerable households, and facilitation of opportunities for young people to access skills, mentorship, and pathways to self-reliance. These efforts are driven not by publicity, but by a genuine belief in shared progress and communal upliftment.
He is also respected for promoting unity, peace, and social cohesion among community members. Through regular engagement with elders, youths, and local leaders, Yakubu encourages dialogue, mutual respect, and collective responsibility. His approach reinforces traditional values of kinship, solidarity, and compassion, strengthening bonds among families and neighbouring communities.
Umar Yakubu’s sense of community service is further reflected in his responsiveness during times of difficulty. Whether in moments of personal loss, social challenges, or communal needs, he is known to stand with his people, offering moral support, counsel, and material assistance where necessary. This has earned him trust and admiration as a son of the soil who places community welfare above personal gain.
Through his actions in Kakaki and its environs, Umar Yakubu exemplifies the principle that national development is sustained by strong, caring communities. His life and work continue to inspire a model of leadership anchored in service, loyalty to one’s roots, and enduring commitment to the well-being of others.
Muazu Abubakar Albarkawa
Muazu.abubakar011@gmail.com
09030066210
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