Rukaiya Bashir El-Rufai is a distinguished Nigerian professional renowned for her expertise in sustainability, climate change, and public sector risk assurance. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science, in collaboration with the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin.

El-Rufai is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of experience spanning consulting and the telecommunications industry in Nigeria. Prior to her public service, she was a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria, where she led the Sustainability & Climate Change Services and Public Sector Risk Assurance Services. In this role, she advised a broad range of public and private sector clients on sustainability strategies, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and aligning with global best practices to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

Her public sector experience includes serving as a Special Advisor to the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning on revenue matters, focusing on Domestic Resource Mobilization and fiscal sustainability. In her current role as Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on National Economic Council (NEC) and Climate Change, El-Rufai plays a pivotal role in shaping policies that address climate change challenges while promoting sustainable economic growth.

El-Rufai’s contributions are instrumental in building Nigeria’s economy by integrating climate resilience into national planning and policy formulation. By advocating for sustainable development and fiscal responsibility, Rukaiya Bashir El-Rufai continues to pave the way for more women to take up leadership roles in Nigeria’s governance and economic sectors.