RIJO 2027 SHEKARI
A Ray of Hope
WHO IS RIJO SHEKARI (FCCA)?
Rijo Shekari is a distinguished Commonwealth Scholar, an articulate and innovative chartered accountant with over twenty years of experience in commercial and investment banking, risk management and compliance, and financial advisory and management. His remarkable personal and career progression, as well as the profound impact his life has had on individuals, organizations, and society, can be attributed to a combination of hard work and divine grace.
As Thomas Carlyle once aptly remarked, “No great man lives in vain.” Rijo discovered his purpose early in life, pursuing his dreams with unwavering dedication, humility, and honesty. His exceptional abilities earned him numerous scholarships, from secondary school to postgraduate education levels. Notably, he received a Federal Government Scholarship for three out of four years of his undergraduate degree programme at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship from the UK Government for a master’s degree in Finance and Management at Cranfield University (School of Management) in 2014.
He was one of only 23 candidates selected from over 2,000 applicants to receive the prestigious scholarship following a rigorous screening exercise. For context, the university was ranked 8th globally and 2nd in the UK by the Financial Times in 2013.
Additionally, he is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), United Kingdom, and is also a graduate of the Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Emerging Leaders Programme, which he completed in November 2017. This esteemed program drew 66 participants from 19 countries. In 2024, Rijo also completed a course on Public Policy at the London School of Economics.
Rijo’s illustrious career spans several esteemed organizations. He began his career at First Bank of Nigeria Plc, where he worked as a trainee in five departments before being permanently placed as a Loans and Advances Officer. He then joined Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd. as Team Leader, driving sales for mutual funds and managing a team of four relationship managers. His exceptional performance led to his promotion as Operational Risk Management Officer, where he successfully monitored breaches and action plans, ensuring efficient and effective controls.
In 2011, Rijo joined ASO Savings & Loans Plc as Head of Operational Risk Management & Compliance. During his tenure, he identified losses of approximately $3.2 million due to lapses in process management and business practices. He facilitated improvements in internal controls, leading to a 22% reduction in operational risk loss figures. Rijo also designed the architecture for the bank’s risk loss database, aligning it with the Basel II framework.
In January 2016, Rijo joined New Frontiers Development as the company’s Chief Investment Officer, a position he held until December 2022. During his tenure at New Frontiers, he was responsible for overseeing the company’s financial affairs, including book-keeping operations, maintaining company accounts, managing finances, and ensuring every project aligned with the company’s strategic objective.
Rijo’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Kamrum Integrated Farms, where he serves as the Chief Ranching Officer. The farm has become one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing producers of beef and dairy products, using artificial insemination practices to crossbreed the Bokolo with Angus to produce the Ankolo breed, creating employment, and taking corporate social responsibility seriously.
RIJO SHEKARI 2027
A RAY OF HOPE
As Thomas J. Watson aptly notes, “The great accomplishments of man have resulted from the transmission of ideas into enthusiasm, into actions.” Rijo’s life embodies this quote, as he has consistently turned his ideas into tangible actions and achievements that continue to inspire countless individuals.
Rijo made a decision to venture into politics – a decision that was motivated by his burning desire to serve humanity and address the shortage of quality leaders in the area at that time. He, therefore, contested for the office of senator, Kaduna South Senatorial District, in the 2019 general elections, under the platform of the Social Democratic Party. His candidacy inspired several young people to contest various political offices in the years that followed, altering the balance of power in the region.
In August 2023, Rijo was appointed Senior Legislative Aide to the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, a position he has held with dignity and pride.
Born on November 22, 1979, Rijo is married to Mary-Ann Banke-Shekari, and they are blessed with three children. He hails from Kamrum Village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State and is a motorbike enthusiast who enjoys volunteering (tree planting), running, and a couple of other leisure activities.
Rijo Shekari’s life is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and a commitment to serving humanity. His profile serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that with perseverance and dedication, one can achieve greatness.
As part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of his organisation, Kamrum Farms, Rijo Shekari has established a scholarship programme targeting science students. Presently, the programme has nine students studying BSc Agriculture, DVM Vet Medicine, and BSc Biochemistry all in the prestigious University of Jos. Each of them is in a programme of between 4 and 7 years, and is on a scholarship of ₦400,000 annually, to cover tuition and living expenses. This is not the one-off grant we see many politicians doing across the country, but it is full scholarship programme for the duration of the programme. Having benefited from scholarships himself, he knows how to give back.
Those who know Rijo up close know that he has deep passion for giving assistance to those who are willing to do business or are already doing business, in any way he could. To that end, Rijo granted financial grant of 100,000 naira to each of 240 women from Zango-Kataf and Jaba local governments, who are engaged in petty trade and needed capital injection to boost their trade.
Rijo’s passion for agriculture is enviable and his encouragement to those involved in agriculture is also soothing to the soul. That was why earlier in the year he procured and distributed 1200 bags of fertiliser ahead of the 2025 farming season.
Rijo is also a lover of sports and youth development, and one who believes that sports can be a tool for building community and enshrining peace. Kamrum Farms is the official sponsor of an annual football tournament in Zangon Kataf, aimed at identifying talents in the local government.
Rijo Shekari is vying for the seat of Member, House of Representatives, to represent the people of Jaba/Zangon-Kataf Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.
