King Mohammed VI appointed Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah Minister of National Education, Preschool Education, Vocational Training and Qualification on Friday, October 16, 2026, in the government led by Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri.
At 67, Benabdallah brings decades of experience in politics, government, diplomacy and journalism to his new role.
Born on June 3, 1959, in Rabat, Benabdallah completed his schooling in the capital, earning his baccalaureate from Lycée Descartes in 1977. He then pursued studies in France in law, international relations and languages. In 1985, he obtained a diploma in international relations from the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) in Paris.
His political involvement began in his teens. While studying in France, he joined the National Union of Moroccan Students (UNEM) and the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), taking on several responsibilities within the party.
In 1988, Benabdallah was elected secretary-general of the Moroccan Youth for Progress and Socialism (JMPS). He later joined the PPS central committee and became a member of its political bureau in 1995. He also chaired the Socialist Youth organization from 1994 to 1998.
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From 1997 to 2000, he headed the PPS-affiliated newspapers Al Bayane and Bayane Al-Yaoum. On May 30, 2010, he was elected secretary-general of the PPS at its eighth national congress. He was re-elected at the party’s congresses in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Benabdallah has held several government positions. In November 2002, he was appointed Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, serving until October 2007. He was then appointed Morocco’s ambassador to Rome, where he served from November 2008 to July 2009.
In January 2012, he joined Abdelilah Benkirane’s government as Minister of Housing, Urban Planning and City Policy. He retained responsibility for the sector under the following government, with his portfolio expanded to include territorial planning.
Alongside his national responsibilities, Benabdallah served on the Rabat City Council and the Agdal-Ryad District Council from 2003 to 2009.
Before and alongside his political career, he worked as a sworn translator and interpreter. Accredited by Moroccan courts since 1987, he runs a translation office in Rabat. In 1992, he became vice-president of Morocco’s professional association of sworn translators and interpreters, a position he held until 2010.
His activities have also extended to cultural and charitable organizations. He chaired the Swiss-Moroccan Foundation for Sustainable Development and the Tétouan International Mediterranean Film Festival Foundation. He also headed the Friends of Azemmour association and served on the board of the Three Cultures Foundation.
