Namadi Sambo is an architect who served as Goodluck Jonathan’s vice-president from 2010 to 2015, after three years as Governor of Kaduna State.1

Early life and career

Sambo was born in Zaria on 2 August 1954. He studied architecture at Ahmadu Bello University, graduating in 1976 and later taking a master’s degree. After national service with the Oyo State works ministry he went into private practice, and served as Kaduna State’s commissioner for works, transport and housing from 1988 to 1990.1

Governor of Kaduna (2007–2010)

He won the April 2007 governorship election for the PDP, succeeding Ahmed Makarfi, and focused on youth and women’s empowerment and security.1

Vice-president (2010–2015)

When Umaru Yar’Adua died in May 2010, President Jonathan nominated Sambo as his deputy. The National Assembly approved him on 18 May and he was sworn in the next day, handing over Kaduna to his deputy, Patrick Yakowa. He was Jonathan’s running mate in 2011 and 2015 and left office on 29 May 2015, succeeded by Yemi Osinbajo.1

Since 2015

In June 2025 Sambo, through his media adviser, denied reports that he had joined the APC, saying he remained a committed PDP member.2 In May 2026 he chaired the presidential screening committee of the Kabiru Turaki-led PDP faction, which named Goodluck Jonathan its 2027 candidate.3

References

  1. Namadi Sambo. Wikipedia, accessed October 2026. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. Ex-VP Sambo Denies Defection To APC. Leadership, June 2025. ↩

  3. 2027: PDP clears Jonathan as sole presidential candidate. Vanguard, 19 May 2026. ↩