Kashim Shettima's Life Lessons for Young Nigerians at 60

Kashim Shettima, Nigeria's vice president and former governor of Borno State, has a story that young people can learn from as he turns 60 today, Wednesday, 2 September.

Shettima is not perfect. No one is. Perfection is for the Almighty. But there are real lessons to learn from how he has gone through life, built his career, and grown in leadership. I will break down some of these lessons for easy understanding.

First, young Nigerians should know that education and skills are your best power. Vice President Kashim Shettima understood this and took action. He studied Agricultural Economics at the University of Maiduguri, then got a Master's degree from the University of Ibadan. He later built a career in banking, working with companies like Commercial Bank of Africa, African International Bank, and Zenith Bank, where he became the General Manager of the Maiduguri branch at a young age.

There's a lesson for every young Nigerian: no matter where you start, invest in education and gain useful skills. Your first job may not be your dream job. Your first salary may not be impressive. Your first chance may not come with the recognition you want. But every experience can help you grow. Shettima's years in banking gave him knowledge about finance, leadership, and how the private sector works. These experiences became useful when he moved into politics.

The next lesson is the need to stay and serve your people, especially in tough times.

As Governor of Borno State from 2011 to 2019, Kashim Shettima led during one of the darkest times in the state’s history, with the Boko Haram insurgency at its worst. Schools closed, communities were displaced, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps became common. Instead of leaving the people when they needed leadership the most, he stayed in Borno, worked to rebuild schools, and promoted education as a way to fight extremism.

For me, the lesson is clear: leadership shows up when things are tough.

Next, young Nigerians need to adapt and reinvent themselves. Look at Shettima's journey: he moved from banker to governor, then to senator, and now Vice President. That's a big change across different jobs. At every step, he had to learn new things and connect with different people. He had to understand the needs of business and finance, rural communities and farmers, displaced persons, and operate on both national and international levels.

The lesson is straightforward: do not limit yourself. Build skills that are useful everywhere. Keep learning. Be open to new things and how they work.

The world is changing quickly, so no one can stay stuck in one identity or job.

Also, young Nigerians should learn to speak out, even when their views are not popular. Shettima is known for being outspoken and sometimes funny. As governor, he was not afraid to criticize the Federal Government’s approach to security and the insurgency. As Vice President, he continues to speak on issues like the economy, agriculture, and national development.

There is a lesson here: young people need to have a voice. You cannot shape decisions if you stay quiet. You cannot complain about being left out if you do not speak up when you have the chance.

Additionally, young Nigerians must build networks across different groups. Shettima’s ADC is Christian from Bauchi State. When he lost his Police Orderly in 2018, he chose a new one from Bauchi, a Christian, even when some in his inner circle disagreed. The former Orderly was a Muslim. The truth is, Nigeria will not move forward if we only stick with our tribe, religion, or class. We need to build bridges for national relevance. After the 2015 elections, when some APC members blamed the Igbos for not contributing, Shettima defended them, saying that the PDP could not match its past figures in 2015 from the South-East.

Shettima also fought to ensure that the 'Quit Notice' given to the Igbos in the North in 2017 was withdrawn.

Finally, as young Nigerians, we must stick to our principles and be humble. I remember that as governor, the rug in his office was the same one he got in 2011 from his predecessor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, with Sheriff’s name on it. How many of us can do that?

As governor, when Sheriff was in town, Shettima often gave up his official vehicle for him. He would sit on the floor while Sheriff sat on a chair. His aides were upset by this show of humility. When Sheriff attacked him, some aides urged him to retaliate. They even suggested releasing damaging documents against Sheriff. But Shettima refused. He chose to uphold his principles and loyalty, even when betrayed.

I was contacted to talk sense into him. I met him in Kaduna that weekend. After an hour, he said, “Mallam Samaila, Ali Sheriff made me governor. For that, I will always be grateful. I will not be part of anything that sends him to prison for how he ran Borno. Don Allah, mu ci gaba da aiki mu. Allah zai kare mu (let’s continue our work, God will see us through).”

I know that during those times, some top politicians chose to stand for truth and justice. I can say with confidence that Shettima never fought Sheriff. It was Sheriff who went against Shettima. He made himself a tin god, but in the end, God put him where he belongs.

In the 2023 senate president election, a contest between Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Shettima stood with Akpabio, the choice of President Tinubu, despite his friendship with Yari. His political skills helped Akpabio win. If Shettima had chosen differently, Akpabio would have lost badly. What more could you ask of Shettima? How else can loyalty be defined?

So, for any young person in Lagos, Osun, Kano, Benue, Kaduna, Borno, Abuja, or anywhere, get skilled, serve where it’s tough, and learn to talk to people different from you.

To His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, my dear friend and brother, as you celebrate your 60th birthday, I ask Allah to bless you in all you do, protect you wherever you go, and light your path with His Mercy, Guidance, and Divine Favor.

May Allah grant you success in this world and the Hereafter, forgive your shortcomings, and keep you focused on the right path.

Bi Rahmatika Yaa Arhamar-Rahimeen.

Aamiin, Yaa Rabbal ‘Alameen.

Happy birthday, your Excellency, sir!