FINBARR JAMES ZIRRA
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Finbarr James Zirra, born on September 27, 1966, in Kaduna and hailing from Adamawa State, has an extensive educational background. He attended Demonstration Primary School Bazza in Michika LGA, Adamawa State, from 1974 to 1979, followed by Government Secondary School Mubi in Adamawa State from 1979 to 1984, where he obtained his GCE. He then pursued a B.Eng. (civil) Hons. at the University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, from 1984 to 1990, a PGD in Management at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria, from 2008 to 2010, an MSc in International Management at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, from 2014 to 2016, and a PhD in Management (Investment) at Universidad Central De Nicaragua from 2018 to 2022.
Beginning his career as a Civil Engineer II (Grade Level 08) in 1992 at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (Highways Department), Finbarr Zirra has worked across various departments within the highway sector. His dedication and commitment led to his progression through the ranks, culminating in his appointment as the Director overseeing the Office of the Director of Road Design (Northwest/Southwest) in 2017. From 2018 to 2022, he served as the Federal Controller of Works in Kaduna State and later as the Director of Highways Planning at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing before his recent posting to the Federal Ministry of Transportation as the Director of Railway Transport Services at Headquarters, Abuja.
A member and fellow of several professional associations both locally and internationally, including MNSE, COREN, NIHT, FIICA, PDFA, FICEN, FIMC, FNIPE, FIIM, FCIMC, FCPSPD, FCIML, NIFPWA, ICMCI, and FAPDP, Finbarr Zirra has received numerous honorary awards and commendations for his contributions to engineering and project management, as well as his visionary and transformational leadership. Married with children, he embarked on a Jeruselem/Jordan (JP) Pilgrimage in 2022 and enjoys hobbies such as reading, football, table tennis, and golf.