Yakubu Dogara Biography: Age, Wife, Children & Networth

 Yakubu Dogara – Politics

Early Life

Yakubu Dogara was born on 26 December 1967 in a small village called Gwarangah, which is in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, in north‑eastern Nigeria. His parents are Yakubu Ganawuri and Saratu Yakubu. Growing up in a rural village, Yakubu learned the importance of hard work, discipline, and helping others. His family were Christians and they taught him to be honest and caring.

He started school in 1976, attending Gwarangah Primary School. He finished primary school in 1982 and then went to Bauchi Teachers’ College for his secondary education, earning a Grade II Teachers’ Certificate in 1987. These early years shaped his love for learning and teaching.

Educational Background

After completing teachers’ college, Yakubu wanted to study law. In 1988, he got admission to University of Jos in Plateau State, where he studied law. He graduated with a Bachelor of Law (LL.B) degree in 1992. He then went to the Nigerian Law School in Lagos from 1992 to 1993, and he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993, making him a qualified lawyer.

Yakubu did not stop learning. He went to Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland, and earned a Master’s degree (LL.M.) in International Commercial Law. This gave him knowledge about big business and trade law that he used later in his career.

He also attended special courses in management, leadership and negotiation at famous schools like Oxford University, Cambridge University, and Harvard Kennedy School in the United States.

Career

Teaching & Legal Practice

Yakubu began his working life in April 1988 as a teacher at ATBU Staff School in Bauchi, which is part of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University. After finishing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Akwa Ibom State in 1994, he became a private lawyer until 2005, working on legal cases, contracts, and business matters

In 2005, he joined public service as Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Transport. He did this job for about one year before moving into politics in 2006.

Political Career

Yakubu Dogara entered politics in 2006, contesting to represent the Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa‑Balewa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State in Nigeria’s House of Representatives. He won the election in 2007, becoming a member of parliament. He was re‑elected in 2011, 2015, and again in 2019, serving three or four terms until June 2023.

Speaker of the House (2015–2019)

In June 2015, members of the House elected Yakubu Dogara as the 13th Speaker of the House of Representatives, which is a very important job in Nigeria’s federal government. He led the House from 9 June 2015 until 9 June 2019. During his time as Speaker:

• He helped the House pass many bills, including the Data Protection Act, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, the Public Interest Disclosure Act, and others related to hire purchase and the North‑East Development Commission.
• He was recognized for helping push 130 bills in one day, a record in Nigeria’s legislature.
• He believed in legislative independence, meaning the House should work without being told exactly what to do by the President or other leaders.
• He also served on or chaired several important committees like Customs and Excise, House Services, Judiciary, Capital Markets, Foreign Affairs, and more.

Party Defections

Yakubu Dogara changed political parties several times:

• He started in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007.
• In 2013, he and other lawmakers joined the new All Progressives Congress (APC) 
• After serving as Speaker with APC, he switched back to the PDP before the 2019 elections and won again.
• In July 2020, he changed sides again and rejoined APC because he had disagreements with the government in Bauchi State.
• Finally, in December 2022, he returned to the PDP, calling it his “first love”.

In April 2022, a court said he lost his seat in the House because he defected from PDP to APC during his term, which some people said broke Nigeria’s election law. The court ordered that his seat be declared vacant.

Personal Life & Controversies

Yakubu Dogara is a Christian and a faithful member of Living Faith Church Worldwide (also known as Winners Chapel). He often says his success came from divine help and his church teachings.

He is married to Gimbiya Yakubu Dogara, and they have two children, including a daughter named Chimel Dogara. Chimel was once named Student of the Week at Abbey College, Cambridge University in the UK. His family is known for strong Christian values and charity work in their community.

Controversies

Yakubu Dogara has faced a few controversies in his political life:

• In 2016, a former committee chairman named Abdulmumin Jibrin accused Dogara, his deputy, and other leaders in the House of budget padding—adding fake items into Nigeria’s budget for personal benefit. Dogara denied these allegations, and his deputy and other leaders also said the claims were false.
• In June 2021, investigations by Sahara Reporters claimed that N97 million meant for school construction and renovation in Dogara’s federal constituency was not used or was used poorly. Many schools did not receive help, and some buildings were badly done or not built at all.
• In January 2022, the Bauchi State Government filed a lawsuit against Dogara and others, accusing them of causing property destruction during a local event honoring a community leader from the Sayawa Nation. His traditional title of “Jakadan Bauchi” was suspended by the Bauchi Emirate Council, and he blamed the state governor for that decision, saying it violated his rights.

Social Media Presence

Yakubu Dogara is a public figure and uses social media to speak to Nigerians. He often shares his views on national issues and current events. He speaks about:

• Tax reform bills, urging unity and leadership beyond regional divisions.
• Calls for peace, such as speaking out about killings in parts of Plateau State and asking the President to act.

He communicates in a straightforward way. While he may not be one of Nigeria’s most followed social media stars, his messages get attention when he speaks on national matters. There is no detailed record of his follower numbers in public sources, but his social media use shows he cares about national development and justice.

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Net Worth

Yakubu Dogara’s exact net worth is not fully known because Nigerian public figures often do not publish all their assets. Estimates vary:

• Some sources estimate his net worth as $1 million to $5 million, based on his earnings as a lawyer, salary as a lawmaker, and some personal investments.
• Another source claims a much higher figure of $100 million, listing him among the richest men in Bauchi State—but this figure is likely exaggerated or unverified.
• Other sources put his net worth closer to $11 million, based on his legal career, political income, and modest investments.

He said in an interview in July 2024 that while people believe politicians earn a lot, his monthly salary as Speaker was below ₦400,000, and he felt that was small compared to expectations.

Given all these reports, a reasonable estimate for a simple explanation would be $1 million to $5 million. That is enough to say he is comfortable, but not extremely wealthy by world standards.