Early Life and Education
Agbu Kefas was born on November 12, 1970, in Wukari, a town that was then part of Gongola State and is now within Taraba State, Nigeria. He is the younger brother of the late Air Commodore Ibrahim Kefas. Kefas has an impressive academic background, having attended some of Nigeria’s most prestigious institutions. He graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Defense Studies. Furthering his education, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Legal Criminology & Security Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 2005 and another Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Delta State University, Abraka in 2008. Additionally, he holds executive education certifications from renowned global institutions such as Harvard Kennedy School in the United States.
Military Career
Agbu Kefas served in the Nigerian Army for 21 years, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. His military career was marked by dedication and service to his country.
Political Career
Following his retirement from the military, Kefas transitioned into public service and politics. Between 2013 and 2015, he served as the chairman of the Governing Board of Directors for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). From 2016 to 2019, he was a member of the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative, focusing on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the North-East region of Nigeria. His political journey continued as he became the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State in 2020. In 2022, Kefas won the PDP gubernatorial primary election and subsequently ran for the governorship of Taraba State in March 2023. He emerged victorious in the general election, defeating his closest rival, Muhammad Yahaya of the New Nigeria People’s Party, by a margin of 100,337 votes. He officially assumed office as the Governor of Taraba State on May 29, 2023, with Aminu Abdullahi Alkali as his deputy. He succeeded Darius Dickson Ishaku.
Personal Life
Agbu Kefas is married to Agyin Kefas, and they have four children. He is an active member of the Deeper Life Bible Church and committed to his Christian faith from a young age, having given his life to Jesus at the age of fourteen.
Conclusion
Governor Agbu Kefas’s life and career are marked by a commitment to public service, both in the military and in political office. His academic achievements and dedication to improving the lives of people in Taraba State underscore his role as a significant figure in Nigerian politics.
