Salisu Buhari’s Kano-based Rumbu Industries initially started in 2001 as a manufacturer of polypropylene (PP) woven sacks. It was then known as Rumbu Sacks Nigeria Limited before it diversified into producing PP woven mats.
In 2015, the company rebranded into Rumbu Industries to reflect its expanded product offerings. Today, it is one of the world’s largest plastic manufacturing companies in the world with plans to diversify to other areas, including aviation, agriculture, and renewable energy, according to Billionaires Africa.
The business has over 2,000 employees across Nigeria, and under his watch, it became the first and only African company to acquire and operate a computerized Jacquard weaving machine, paving the way for efficient, custom production in smaller batches.
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Before starting Rumbu Industries, Buhari was a politician. He was elected to Nigeria’s House of Representatives and by June 1999, he had been elected Speaker.
However, he didn’t stay in that position for long after reports revealed discrepancies in his academic and personal records, including his age and educational background.
Buhari had claimed that he had graduated from the University of Toronto. However, the university confirmed it had no record of him. What is more, the report noted that his claim that he had completed Nigera’s mandatory National Youth Service in Kano was false.
Initially, he dismissed the allegations as a political hunt, but on July 23, 1999, he admitted to falsifying his age and credentials. He was subsequently forced to resign after just six weeks as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“I apologize to you. I apologize to the nation. I apologize to my family and friends for all the distress I have caused them. I was misled in error by zeal to serve the nation, I hope the nation will forgive me and give me the opportunity to serve again,” he said in his resignation speech, as per Pulse Nigeria.
The abrupt end of his political career forced him to turn his attention to the private sector, leading to the creation of Rumbu Industries Limited in Kano.
Despite his tumultuous career as a politician, Buhari did not allow it to define him as an entrepreneur. He was able to overcome the challenges, positioning himself as one of Nigeria’s successful entrepreneurs. His company was even inducted into the Bank of Industry’s Hall of Fame.
