Bello Muhammad Matawalle – Politics
| Stage Name: | Bello Muhammad Matawalle |
| Real Name: | Bello Muhammad Matawalle |
| Occupation: | Politician |
| Date Of Birth/Age: | 12th February 1969 (56 years) |
| State of Origin: | Zamfara State, Nigeria |
| Gender: | Male |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Education: | Yaba College of Technology in Lagos |
| Known for: | Politics |
Early Life
Bello Muhammad Matawalle was born on 12 February 1969 (some sources say 1962, but most reliable records show 1969) in Maradun, a town in Zamfara State, northern Nigeria. His parents are Alhaji Muhammad Sharu and Hajiya Safiya Magaji. He grew up in a Hausa Muslim family in Maradun, learning about respect, hard work, and community care.
Educational Background
Bello started his primary education at Maradun Township Primary School, where he completed his First School Leaving Certificate in 1979. He then attended the Vocational Teachers College (VTC) in Bunza, graduating in 1984.
After that, he went to Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, where he studied technical or vocational subjects. Later, he studied at Thames Valley University in London to further his education.
Though his grades in English and Mathematics were not strong in secondary school, he trained as an auto mechanic early on and worked in that trade before entering politics.
Career
Teaching & Government Work
After college, Bello worked as a teacher. He taught in schools such as Government Girls College, Moriki, and Government Girls College, Kwatarkoshi, both in Zamfara State. Later, he joined the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in Abuja, where he worked as a civil servant before moving into politics.
Political Career
First Entry into Politics (1998–2003)
In 1998, Bello contested and won a seat in the Zamfara State House of Assembly under the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) during General Abacha’s era. When Abacha died, the military government dissolved political parties and held new elections in 1999.
From 1999 to 2003, he served as Zamfara State Commissioner in various roles:
- Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs
- Environment & Rural Development
- Youth & Sports affairs.
National Legislature (2003–2015)
In 2003, Bello was elected to the House of Representatives, representing the Bakura/Maradun Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He was re-elected in 2007 under the same party. In 2011, he switched to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and won a third term. He stayed in the House until 2015.
Governor of Zamfara State (2019–2023)
Bello became the PDP’s candidate for governor in 2019. In the general election, the initial winner was from APC, but the Supreme Court ruled that APC had not conducted valid primaries. This meant the second-place candidate, Bello Matawalle, was declared governor and sworn in on 29 May 2019.
As governor, he launched many projects: building schools, clinics, and roads; granting scholarships; supporting security; and improving social services in Zamfara State.
In June 2021, Bello and many Zamfara officials defected to APC, and he became the APC leader for Zamfara State. His term as governor ended in May 2023, handing over power to Dauda Lawal from APC.
Minister of State for Defence (2023–present)
Shortly after finishing his tenure as governor, on 21 August 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Bello Matawalle as Minister of State for Defence. In this job, he works with Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
Personal Life & Controversies
Personal Life
Bello Matawalle is a Muslim and married to four wives: Aisha, Balkisu, Fatimah, and Sadiya Matawalle. He has many children, although public sources do not list their names. He also holds traditional titles, such as Danmadamin Mafara and Matawallen Maradun, and others in Abuja and Zamfara emirates.
Controversies
Bello has faced several serious allegations:
- In May 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) began investigating him for allegedly diverting over ₦70 billion through phantom contracts during his time as governor. Contractors claimed they were forced to convert public funds into dollars and return them via government officials. The EFCC has said it may prosecute him after he leaves office, but he has not faced trial yet because governors have immunity while in office.
- In mid-2024, the current Zamfara governor Dauda Lawal accused Musawe of providing vehicles to bandit leaders, including the notorious Bello Turji and others, while serving as governor. It is claimed that he kept some of these bandits in government facilities and paid ransom through governmental means. These allegations have not been proven in court yet.
- Residents also criticized him in 2022 for failing to act properly on security recommendations his administration had set up in 2019 to fight banditry and kidnappings.
Some Nigerians have used social media to accuse him of complicity in violence—but these remain unproven.
Social Media Presence
Bello Matawalle is active on social media. His public handles include:
- Instagram: @bellomatawalle1
- Twitter: @bellomatawalle1
- He also has a Facebook profile called “Dr Bello Matawalle”.
He posts updates about his government work, programmes for education, healthcare, and security. Sometimes he shares in both English and Hausa so many people in Zamfara and across Nigeria can understand.
Net Worth
The exact net worth of Bello Matawalle is not publicly known, as he has not shared his full asset details. However, some public estimates place his worth at around US $2 million.
This estimate is based on his long career in politics—many years in public service—and his income as governor and minister. It may also include any personal businesses or investments, though he is best known for his political work.
