Dauda Lawal (born 2 September 1965), is a Nigerian banker, who is known to be an established leader in the Nigerian Banking Industry. Lawal was known to be one of the key players in the financial sector of the Nigerian Economy  as he served as the executive director, Public Sector North, of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, he is the aspirant for the governor of Zamfara state under people Democratic Party (PDP) 2023

Early life

Dauda Lawal, an ethnic Muslim Hausa from Zamfara State, Dauda was born on 2 September 1965 into a humble family popularly known in the textile industry in Gusau, Zamfara State.

Education

Lawal graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1987 with B.Sc. in political science. he obtained an M.Sc. in political science/international relations from the same university in 1992, and holds a Ph.D. in business administration from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, before going further to develop himself by taking courses at prestigious universities, including the London School of Economics, Harvard Business School, Oxford University Business School and Lagos Business School among others.

Professional career

He started his working career in 1989 as a political education officer with the Agency for Mass Mobilization for Social and Economic Reliance Nigeria. In 1989, he joined Westex Nigeria Limited as an assistant general manager. In 1994 he was appointed as an assistant consular officer (immigration), and later chief protocol officer, at the Embassy of Nigeria, Washington, D.C., US. Dauda Lawal joined First Bank of Nigeria Plc in May 2003; as a relationship manager, of commercial banking, and was at various times senior manager, Abuja Area office, business development manager, Abuja, principal manager, group head PSG II, assistant general manager (business development manager), Maitama, deputy general manager (business development manager), Maitama/group head public sector, Abuja. Between October 2010 and September 2011, Lawal was elevated to the position of executive vice president, public sector, North of First Bank of Nigeria Plc. In September 2012 he became executive director, of Public Sector North, of First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

Dauda Lawal ran for office in 2019 for governor of Zamfara state under the flagship of APC.

Corruption Allegations

An anti-corruption group, Nigeria public Transparency Initiative Group (NPTIG) has called on the federal government and other anti-graft agencies to investigate the source of $40 million allegedly traced to Dauda Lawal a former Executive Director of the First Bank. The group’s National Coordinator, Dr. Hamisu Bayero, disclosed this in s statement issued to journalists in Sokoto. Where he urged the relevant authorities to compile Dauda Lawal’s account for how he got the $40 million since the bank’s rules prevented him from carrying out any business while in office as executive director. The group urged the relevant authorities including the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out a holistic investigation in unveiling such a suspicious amount of money. The group also urged the anti-graft agencies not to enter a plea-bargain deal on the matter, saying such negotiation with the suspect is like condoning criminal activities, especially on issues that Borden on Corruption, stealing and other crimes the EFCC had earlier confiscated Dauda Lawal on Allegations that it was proceeds of corruption.

Dauda Lawal’s Political Career

Dauda Lawal said that he joined the 2023 governorship race of Zamfara State to rescue the state from the challenges bedeviling it.

Dauda Lawal is the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections.

Awards

FirstBank CEO Merit Award for Outstanding Performance as the “Best Business Development Manager” in 2006 and “The Most Enterprising Staff” in 2009.

Assassination Attempt

On Thursday, the anti-thuggery reportedly fired shots at Lawal’s convoy that was carrying his wife.

The attack allegedly took place at about 11 pm local time.

The Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has secured a court order restraining the anti-thuggery from all forms of activities in the state.

According to the PDP candidate, in a press conference in Gusau on Friday, Lawal accused Governor Matawalle of playing the dirtiest of politics.

The statement read in parts: “It is a matter of record that last night the Zamfara State-backed anti-thuggery committee ambushed my entourage; the reason for this press conference was to address a horrific and disturbing incident in Gusau, Zamfara State.

“At around 11:30 pm on Thursday, 23/2/2023, my motorcade conveying my wife and her entourage was ambushed by a state-sponsored militia disguised as Anti Thuggery Committee armed to the teeth with guns and other fatal weapons besides A. A Rano filling station, off Sani Abacha way, solely aimed to assassinate me for political reasons.

Lawal added: “During the attack, two of my police security escort, an inspector, a sergeant, and five other civilians were and are currently receiving treatment for gunshot injuries at Federal Medical Center Gusau.

“If you recall, just over a month ago, the same anti-Thuggery committee stormed the Gusau motor park in Gestapo style and killed two innocent civilians, including a little kid, for political reasons. Any sensible person should condemn this barbarism and do-or-die politics employed by the Matawalle-led administration in the strongest terms.

“I call on the Inspector General (IG)of Police and the Zamfara State commissioner of police to look into the illegal activities of the Zamfara Anti thuggery committee that bear illicit firearms to destabilize the frail security of the State on the eve of the presidential elections.

“I implore the IG and all other law enforcement agencies to conduct a proper and holistic investigation of this matter and prosecute whoever is found responsible for this attack on innocent persons, regardless of his status or position in government.

“This cowardly act is an apparent attempt at political assassination targeted at my person for political reasons, which is unacceptable.

“I call on the general public, our party supporters, and well-wishers to be law abiding and remain vigilant against those who are hellbent on retaining power at all costs. The blood of any civilian is not worth my political ambition.

“I will pursue this matter using all lawful means to its conclusion.”

Networth

He is estimated to be worth between $1 – $5m

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References