George Akume (born 27 December 1953) is a Nigerian politician who is the 21st and current Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He served as Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs from 2019 to 2023, during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. He was the Senator representing Benue North-West Senatorial District between 2007 and 2019. He was also the Minority Leader of the Senate from June 2011 to June 2015. He served as the Governor of Benue State from May 1999 to May 2007. Akume was re-elected Senator for Benue North-West in the April 2011 elections, running on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria. He won another term in 2015 but lost to Senator Emmanuel Yisa Orker-Jev of the PDP in 2019. On 23 July 2019, President Buhari nominated Akume to serve as the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Early life and education

Akume obtained a bachelor's degree in Sociology and a master's degree in Labour Relations from the University of Ibadan.

Political career

Career in state government

In 1999, Akume became governor of Benue State and served two terms of four years. In 2007, he won election to represent the people of Benue as a senator for Benue North-West in Nigeria's senate. Akume was re-elected Senator for Benue North-West in the April 2011 elections, running on the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform. He polled 261,726 votes, defeating Terngu Tsegba of the PDP who won 143,354 votes. He was again re-elected to the senate under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015. He was chairman senate committee on army and a ranking member of senate.

Career in national government

Akume was nominated and confirmed a minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nigeria by Muhammadu Buhari. On 2 June 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

National honours

In May 2023, Akume was conferred Nigerian national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Personal life

George Akume is married to Regina Akume, a member of the House of Representative.