Bello Muhammad, widely known as Bello Matawalle, is a Nigerian politician whose career spans education, legislative service, state leadership, and national defence administration. He has been a central figure in Nigerian politics since the late 1990s and currently serves as Minister of State for Defence in the federal cabinet of President Bola Tinubu. This article is based on verified sources and excludes unconfirmed rumours or allegations.
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Early Life and Education
Bello Muhammad was born on 12 February 1969 in Maradun, a town that was then part of Nigeria’s North‑Western State and is now within Zamfara State. His early life unfolded against the backdrop of Nigeria’s evolving post‑independence governance, as the region adjusted to shifts from military to civilian administration.
Matawalle began his formal education locally, obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate from Maradun Township Primary School in 1979. He continued his studies at the Vocational Teachers College (VTC), Bunza, where he obtained further teaching qualifications in 1984. He later attended the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos and pursued advanced studies at the University of West London in the United Kingdom. These academic experiences prepared him for work in education and public service before a full transition into politics.
Professional Beginnings: Teaching and Civil Service
Matawalle began his professional journey in the education sector, serving as a teacher at institutions including Government Girls College in Moriki and Kwatarkoshi. His early career as an educator provided him with a foundation in community engagement and public communication.
Subsequently, he worked with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in Abuja, marking his shift from classroom instruction to civil administration. At this stage, his responsibilities involved supporting policies and projects at the federal level, equipping him with broader insights into governance and public service delivery.
Political Career
State Legislature and Commissioner Roles
Matawalle entered elective politics in 1998 during the final phase of military rule in Nigeria, when he was elected to the Zamfara State House of Assembly under the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP). After Nigeria transitioned to democratic government in 1999, he was appointed a commissioner in the Zamfara State government. Between 1999 and 2003, he held portfolios including Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Environment, Rural Development, and Youth and Sports.
National Assembly: House of Representatives (2003–2015)
In 2003, Matawalle won election to the House of Representatives to represent the Bakura/Maradun Federal Constituency. He was re‑elected in 2007 and 2011, initially under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and later under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) following his defection in 2011. His tenure in the National Assembly spanned 12 years, during which time he was involved in legislative oversight, committee assignments, and national debates on policy matters.
Governorship of Zamfara State (2019–2023)
2019 Election and Supreme Court Ruling
Matawalle’s most prominent state leadership role began with his candidacy in the 2019 Zamfara State governorship election. Although he did not secure the highest number of votes in the original poll, a Supreme Court of Nigeria ruling in May 2019 nullified the results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates because of internal party irregularities. As a result, Matawalle, who had been the next highest vote‑getter, was declared the winner and sworn in as Governor of Zamfara State on 29 May 2019.
His administration operated in a challenging security environment, with persistent issues of banditry and violence affecting many rural communities. While various policy measures were undertaken, assessments of their effectiveness vary, and detailed evaluations often point to ongoing insecurity throughout his tenure. Verified reporting does not establish that any specific policy decisively resolved these challenges.
Party Defection (2021)
In June 2021, Matawalle formally left the PDP and joined the APC, along with a majority of Zamfara State’s elected officials. This shift significantly strengthened the APC’s dominance in the state’s political landscape.
Minister of State for Defence (2023–Present)
In August 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed Matawalle as Minister of State for Defence. In this federal role, he works alongside the substantive Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who served in that primary role until his resignation in December 2025.
As Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle has participated in discussions and initiatives related to national security, defence diplomacy, and military cooperation. He has also been acknowledged by some civil society groups for contributions to Nigeria’s defence framework, such as strengthening domestic defence partnerships and engaging in international defence collaboration.
Personal Life
Matawalle is married to four wives, Aisha, Balkisu, Fatimah, and Sadiya, and is known to have several children. He practices Islam, and his personal and family life remain largely private, with public sources noting his long‑standing ties to both family and community in Zamfara State.
Public Profile and Contested Claims
Matawalle has been a subject of both acclaim and controversy in public discourse. Various civil society organisations have recognised his leadership, naming him “Minister of the Year 2024” in the context of national security contributions, although such awards represent particular organisational views rather than official state honours.
Conversely, allegations of inappropriate conduct during his governorship, including claims of links with armed groups, have circulated in political commentary. These allegations remain not legally substantiated by official investigations or court findings, and therefore are not treated as established historical facts in this article. Independent efforts to categorically rebut specific allegations underscore that some narratives are politically motivated rather than documented evidence.
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Author’s Note
Bello Muhammad Matawalle’s political career demonstrates notable breadth, spanning legislative, executive, and ministerial roles within Nigeria’s democratic framework. His leadership has intersected with significant judicial decisions, party realignments, and national security priorities, making him a prominent figure in Nigeria’s contemporary political history.
References
Pulse Nigeria, Bello Matawalle: From Teacher to Minister
Premium Times, Report on Ministerial Security Engagement
Tribune Online, Civil Society Recognition
Guardian Nigeria, Context on Public Debate
