Balarabe Abbas Lawal (born 5 February 1958) is a Nigerian public servant and politician who is the current Minister of Environment of Nigeria.
Lawal attended Barewa College for his secondary education. He later earned a bachelorâÂÂs degree and a masterâÂÂs degree in political science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Lawal served as Secretary to the Kaduna State Government under Governor Uba Sani from 30 May 2023 until his appointment as Minister of Environment in October 2023. He previously held the same position under Governor Nasir El-Rufai from May 2015 to May 2023.
He also served as Chief of Staff to El-Rufai during his tenure as minister of the Federal Capital Territory from July 2003 to July 2007. From September 1999 to February 2001, Lawal was Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Education. Between February 2001 and May 2003, he also served as Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Defence for the Nigerian Army.
Earlier in his career, Lawal was a lecturer at the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria, from 1982 to 1989.