Her appointment took effect from the directive of the President Muhammadu Buhari following the expiration of the tenure of her predecessor, Attahiru Jega on 30 July 2015.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree[2] in Pharmacy with Second Class Upper (Best Graduating Student) in 1980 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
She was at CVS Pharmacy Hartsdale, New York, United States between 1993 and 1994 as an Intern Pharmacist and returned to Nigeria to join the Consolidated Health Services, Abakpa, Kaduna, where she became the Chief Pharmacist/Consultant from 1996 to 1997.
[10] Her monitoring background afforded an opportunity to enforce ethical practice in FCT private hospitals through active registration and inspection.
[1] Her career as a pharmacist consultant, saw her working with the National AIDS and STDs Control Program (NASCP), Federal Ministry of Health 2002, Project Director for National Primary Health care Development Agency in 2003, Project Coordinator for FCT Federation of Muslim Women's Organization (FOMWAN) 2003, National Consultant, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) 2004, Lead Consultant/ Project Manager, Songhai Medical Centre Limited 2008, Consultant, Complete Medicare Limited and Accessible Managed Care Limited 2008 and Consultant, Millennium Development Goal Office 2008.
The basis of the claim was an interview with a supporter of then president Jonathan, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai stated: I know that the woman from her childhood.
I know that the relationship is true.However, on 8 September 2015, in another interview on Channels TV and published by The Mail Express,[16] Yakassai denied criticizing the appointment of Zakari or about her relations with Buhari and that his actual words were manipulated by certain parties.
I see no reason why I should criticize her.Yakasai further stated that Zakari's "neutrality should not be contested on the grounds of familiarity with the president because she is entitled to the post as a Nigerian and a qualified professional."