PROFILE: John Pombe Joseph Magufuli

John Pombe Magufuli was born in Chato on October 29, 1959. He attended his primary school education at Chato Primary School from 1967 to 1984. He then attended his secondary school education at Katoke Seminary and Lake Secondary School between 1975 and 1978. Between 1979 and 1981 Magufuli went to Mkwawa High School for his advanced level secondary school education.

He attained a Diploma in education in science (Chemistry, Mathematics and Education 1982. He went to University of Dar es Salaam, where he studied Bachelor of Science in Education (Chemistry and Mathematics) from 1985 to 1988.

He attained his Master’s Degree in Science (Chemistry) from the same university and University of Salford in the UK in 1994. He attained his PhD in Chemistry from University of Dar es Salaam, where he studied between 2006 and 2009. Dr Magufuli ventured into elective politics after a short hiatus as a teacher at Sengerema Secondary School between 1982 and 1983. He taught Chemistry and Mathematics.

Later on, he would quit his teaching job and got employed by the then giant Nyanza Cooperative Union Ltd as an industrial chemist. He remained there from 1989 to 1995, when was elected Chato Member of Parliament (MP).

He was appointed Deputy Minister for Works in his first term as MP. After retaining his seat in the following election in 2000, Dr Magufuli was promoted to a full ministerial position under the same docket. He has been minister in subsequent elections in 2005 and 2010 during which he served as a Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements and Minister for Livestock Development and Fisheries. His last docket is the Minister for Works. He is married to Janet Magufuli, a primary school teacher and are blessed with three children.