Things To Know About Gbemisola Saraki

Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki is a Nigerian politician and former member of the Nigerian Senate. She hails from Kwara State, North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Fondly called “Aunty Gbemi”.

Personal Information

• Full Name: Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki
• Date of Birth: May 3, 1965
• State of Origin: Kwara
• Marital Status: Divorced
• Ex-Husband: Olusegun Fowora
• Children: 2 (Tiwalola Oyinkansola Fowora and Olaotan Fowora)
• Father: Late Chief Olusola Saraki (Baba Oloye)
• Brother: Senator Bukola Saraki (Former Senate President)
• Political Affiliation: Formerly with APP, ACPN, and PDP; currently a member of APC

Education and Early Career

Gbemisola Saraki earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom. Upon completing her studies, she returned to Nigeria for her mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry, Lagos.

She then joined Société Générale Bank (Nigeria), where she held key positions as Head of Money Markets and later Head of Domiciliary Accounts. From 1994 to 1999, she served as the Executive Director of Ashmount Insurance Brokers, Lagos.

Her father, Abubakar Olusola Saraki, was a prominent senator during the Second Nigerian Republic (1979–1983) and played a key role in shaping Kwara State’s political landscape. Her brother, Bukola Saraki, served as the Governor of Kwara State (2003–2011) and later as the President of the Nigerian Senate (2015–2019).

Political Career

Gbemisola Saraki began her political journey in 1999 when she was elected to the House of Representatives under the All People’s Party (APP), representing the Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency of Kwara State.

In 2003, she contested for a Senate seat under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and won, representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District. She was re-elected in 2007, serving as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for two terms (2003–2011).

During her tenure in the Senate, she played active roles in various committees, including:

• Chairperson, Senate Committee on National Planning, Poverty Alleviation, and Economic Affairs (2007–2011)
• Vice-Chairperson, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs
• Member, ECOWAS Parliament

In 2011, she left the Senate to contest for the Kwara State governorship election under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but lost to PDP’s Abdul Fatah Ahmed.

Defection to APC and Ministerial Appointment

On the eve of the 2015 presidential election, Gbemisola Saraki defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In February 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed her as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State.

In 2017, she was named a member of the 16-member committee tasked with renegotiating the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

On August 21, 2019, President Buhari appointed her as the Minister of State for Transportation, a position she held until 2023.

Public Engagement and Intellectual Contributions

Beyond politics, Gbemisola Saraki is a thought leader passionate about youth empowerment and political participation. In February 2020, she delivered a lecture at the University of Ilorin Postgraduate School, focusing on youth inclusion in politics.

Personal Life

Gbemisola Saraki was previously married to Architect Olusegun Fowora in 1990. The marriage produced two children:

• Tiwalola Oyinkansola Fowora (born 1991)
• Olaotan Fowora (born 1995)

Her ex-husband, Olusegun Fowora, is the Executive Chairman of Primi Construction, a Nigerian construction company with over 17 years of operational history.

Between Gbemisola and Bukola Saraki – Who Is Older?

Gbemisola Saraki is the younger sister of Bukola Saraki. Bukola Saraki was born on December 19, 1962 while Gbemisola Saraki was born on May 3, 1965.