26/09/2025
Prince Abubakar Audu, a Nigerian politician and career banker, was the first civilian governor of Kogi State. He was born on October 24, 1947, to the family of the late Pa Audu Oyidi, Orego Atta of Igala Land, and the paramount ruler of Ogbonicha-Alloma in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Abubakar Audu began his education at the N.A. Junior Primary School, Alloma, and continued at the Senior Secondary School in Ankpa. He later attended Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha, before transferring to Jos Commercial College. After starting his career in banking, Audu proceeded to London, where he studied banking and personnel management, obtaining professional qualifications as a Certified Secretary and a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants in London, as well as a Fellowship from the Chartered Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria.
In 1986, Audu entered public service when he was appointed Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in the old Benue State, a position he held until 1988, when the cabinet was dissolved. He then returned to First Bank of Nigeria PLC as a General Manager. In 1991, he was appointed Executive Director of FSB International Bank PLC.
Upon the creation of Kogi State in August 1991, formed from parts of the old Benue and Kwara States, Audu was invited to contest for the governorship. He ran and won the November 1991 election on the platform of the National Republican Convention and was subsequently sworn in as the first Executive Governor of Kogi State in January 1992.
With the return to democracy in 1998, Audu, now a member of the All Nigeria People's Party, was once again elected governor of Kogi State, receiving over 700,000 votes. He was sworn in on May 29, 1999, as the second Executive Governor of Kogi State.
In 2015, Audu contested the Kogi State governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, he died of a bleeding ulcer on November 22, 2015.Maji news update.