George Akume

George Akume, CON, is a Nigerian politician who served two terms as Governor of Benue State (1999-2007) and represented Benue North-West in the Senate (2007-2019), including as Senate Minority Leader. He later served as a Federal Minister and, from June 2023, as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Akume holds a B.Sc. in Sociology and an M.Sc. in Labour Relations from the University of Ibadan.

Akume was elected Governor of Benue State in May 1999 and re-elected for a second term, serving until May 2007. He then represented Benue North-West in the Senate from 2007 to 2019, serving as Senate Minority Leader from June 2011 to June 2015. He served as Federal Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs from 2019 to 2023, and was appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation on 7 June 2023, becoming the 21st holder of that office.

Served two terms as Governor of Benue State and as Senate Minority Leader. Chaired the committee organizing former President Muhammadu Buhari's state funeral in July 2025. Conferred Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in May 2023.

One of the most prominent Tiv politicians of Nigeria's Fourth Republic, having held the state's governorship, a Senate leadership position, federal ministerial office, and the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

• May 1999-May 2007 — Governor of Benue State (two terms)
• 2007-2019 — Senator, Benue North-West
• June 2011-June 2015 — Senate Minority Leader
• 2019-2023 — Federal Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs
• 7 June 2023 — Appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation
• May 2023 — Conferred Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)