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Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara is one of Nigeria’s most prominent and longest serving lawmakers. As the lawmaker representing Biu, Bayo, Shani and Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno State, he has built a strong reputation in the House of Representatives, particularly within national security, defence, and national finance.
Before committing to public office, he built a solid career in accounting and administration. One of his early places of work was in the Presidency at the Directorate for Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure from 1986 to 1990.
Following his National Youth Service Corps year at the Delta State Government House, he joined the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited in 1993, and eventually rose to the rank of a Manager before retiring in 2006.
Driven by a desire to bring tangible development to the southern part of Borno State, he entered the political arena ahead of the 2007 general election. Running on the platform of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), he won a seat in the 6th National Assembly.
Through strategic alignments and fierce grassroots loyalty, he transitioned into the All Progressives Congress (APC). His exceptional popularity enabled him to win re-election consecutively across five legislative tenures, securing seats in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and the current 10th Assemblies.
His legislative career is distinguished by his leadership of high impact committees during critical periods in Nigeria’s history. At the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency, he served as Chairman of the House Committee on Army in the 7th Assembly and later as Chairman of the House Committee on Defence in the 8th Assembly.
He was instrumental in coordinating legislative oversight and making crucial funding recommendations to empower the armed forces. As the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations in the 9th Assembly, he led the historic legislative effort that successfully restored Nigeria’s national budget cycle to a predictable January to December calendar. This reform brought much needed stability to national fiscal planning.
In the 10th Assembly, he accepted the role of Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, overseeing infrastructure and development in Abuja.
At the grassroots level, Hon. Betara has financed over 20 healthcare centres, built a mini stadium, installed hundreds of solar streetlights, and funded extensive youth empowerment grants.
For his track record of consistent and effective representation, grassroots development, and contributions to national development, he is winner of The Sun House of Representative Member of the Year Award 2026.
