Distinguished Senator  George Akume, CON, is Nigeria’s Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), appointed on June 7, 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A statesman of rare experience, he brings over four decades of leadership across the executive, legislative, and ministerial arms of government.

He previously served as Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (2019–2023), Senator for Benue North-West (2007–2019) — where he was Senate Minority Leader (2011–2015) — and Governor of Benue State (1999–2007), the first under Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

Born on December 27, 1953, in Wannune, Tarka LGA of Benue State, Senator Akume holds a B.Sc. in Sociology (1978) and M.Sc. in Industrial and Labour Relations (1986) from the University of Ibadan. His career in the Benue State Civil Service distinguished him as an astute administrator before entering national politics.

A key architect of Nigeria’s democratic consolidation, he is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a firm advocate of policy harmonization, local content advancement, and inter-governmental cooperation.

Honoured with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Senator Akume remains one of Nigeria’s most respected political figures — admired for his humility, experience, and steadfast dedication to national development and unity.