Recently, the renewed relevance of discussions concerning executive heads has also directed public attention to this area. Executive heads, responsible for implementing state policy across territories, play a significant role in local socio-economic development. However, in many cases, these heads are unable or unwilling to carry out these duties as required by law. For this reason, operations related to corruption offenses and official crimes are conducted, certain officials are detained, and criminal cases are initiated against them.
Such measures by law enforcement agencies usually cover the regions. Baku's districts have always remained outside similar measures. Only recently, in the Garadagh district, the deputy executive head and some officials were brought to criminal responsibility.
It should be noted that there are 12 districts in Baku city: Binagadi, Khatai, Sabunchu, Nizami, Narimanov, Nasimi, Garadagh, Sabail, Khazar, Yasamal, Pirallahi, Surakhani.
Do the executive heads of Baku's districts make positive contributions to issues such as the city's socio-economic development, the implementation of infrastructure projects, the organization of social services, the resolution of citizen appeals, and the establishment of relations with local communities? Unfortunately, there is no unequivocal answer to this question... Citizen dissatisfaction is observed.
Citizens expect greater accountability, transparency, and a more active approach from local governance to the problems of their residential districts. Residents believe that Executive Authorities can organize listening sessions and open dialogues for them.
Projects such as rainwater drainage, modernization of water infrastructure, and creation of green zones should be priorities for the Executive Authority. Preference should be given to professional, locally knowledgeable, and citizen-oriented personnel among deputy executive heads and department managers. These are, of course, the wishes and desires of the citizens...
So, who leads the capital's districts, and for how many years have they held the same position?
The Modern.az website has investigated the answers to these questions.
Eldar Azizov, Head of Baku City Executive Authority is the general head of the executive power for the capital. He has served in a leadership position for many years. Mr. Azizov was appointed Head of Nizami District Executive Authority of Baku city in June 2000. From 2003 to 2011, he served as Head of Ganja City Executive Authority. From 2011 to 2015, he was Head of Sumgayit City Executive Authority. From 2015 to 2018, he worked as Head of Sabail District Executive Authority of Baku City.
On November 15, 2018, he was appointed Head of Baku City Executive Authority. The 68-year-old Azizov has been working as an executive head for over 25 years.
Suleyman Mikayilov, Head of Garadagh District Executive Authority came to administrative management from the tax system. He worked as Head of Yardimli District Executive Authority from May 2005 to December 2005. From December 21, 2005, to March 4, 2020, he was Head of Lankaran City Executive Authority. By order dated March 4, 2010, he was appointed Head of Garadagh District Executive Authority.
The 63-year-old Suleyman Mikayilov has been working as an executive head for over 20 years in total.
Adil Valiyev, Head of Sabunchu District Executive Authority worked as a department head and deputy executive head at Narimanov District Executive Authority from 1990 to 1992. From 1992 to 1996, he was Head of the Organization Department at the Baku City Council of People's Deputies. From 1998 to 2003, he served as Deputy Head of the MTTI of the Offshore Oil and Gas Production Association of the State Oil Company. From 2003 to 2012, he was the head of “Euro Style” LTD, a company he founded.
In April 2012, he was appointed executive head of Sabunchu. Mr. Adil has a 13-year career as an executive head. He is 65 years old.
Vugar Zeynalov, Head of Sabail District Executive Authority worked as the director of the Nizami Cinema Center from 2012 to 2015. From 2015 to 2018, he served as the head of the Baku City Main Department of Culture.
On October 30, 2018, he was appointed Head of Sabail District Executive Authority. Vugar Zeynalov, who has been working as an executive head for 7 years, is 49 years old.
Rafiq Guliyev, Head of Khatai District Executive Authority rose through the ranks by working in this institution. From 1997, he worked as an inspector in the General Department of Khatai District Executive Authority, from 2003 as an inspector-auditor, and from 2006 to 2012 as the head of that department.
From May 21, 2012, to December 19, 2013, he served as deputy head, and from December 2013 to November 12, 2019, as first deputy head.
By order of the Head of State dated November 12, 2019, he was appointed Head of Khatai District Executive Authority.
The 51-year-old Rafiq Guliyev is a veteran of the First Karabakh War.
Elkhan Allahverdiyev, Head of Binagadi District Executive Authority held various positions in the private sector from 1998 to 2018.
On June 6, 2018, he was appointed Head of Binagadi District Executive Authority. He has been leading Binagadi for 7 years now. Mr. Allahverdiyev is 65 years old.
Adil Aliyev, Head of Surakhani District Executive Authority is among the new personnel appointed to this position. From 1994 to 2005, he held various positions in the internal affairs bodies. From 2005 to 2024, he was a Member of Parliament from the Narimanov II electoral district No. 20. In Parliament, he served as vice-speaker and chairman of the Youth and Sports Committee.
Adil Aliyev was appointed Head of Surakhani District Executive Authority of Baku city on July 8, 2024. He is 56 years old.
Joshgun Jabrayilov, Head of Nizami District Executive Authority is also among the new personnel. He was appointed Head of Nizami District Executive Authority by order of President Ilham Aliyev dated February 18, 2022.
For some reason, Mr. Joshgun's biography has not been posted on the website of the Nizami District Executive Authority; they have only provided his name, surname, and appointment date. What they are cautious about, and why, is unknown..
According to information obtained from other resources, C. Jabrayilov previously held the position of head of the Department for Territorial Administration and Work with Local Self-Government Bodies at Sumgayit City Executive Authority and Sabail District Executive Authority. In September 2018, he was appointed head of the Department for Territorial Administration and Work with Local Self-Government Bodies at Baku City Executive Authority. He worked in that position until 2022.
Elshan Salahov, Head of Khazar District Executive Authority began his career in 1999 by working at the State Committee for Securities under the President. He worked in this field until 2009.
From 2009 to 2014, he served as the director of the Mardakan branch of “Bank Standard” Commercial Bank.
In 2014, he was appointed head of the Economic Department at Khazar District Executive Authority. He worked in that position until 2018.
In 2018, he was appointed First Deputy Head of Khazar District Executive Authority. He worked in that position until 2019.
On February 5, 2019, he was appointed executive head. He is 48 years old.
Elgin Habibullayev, Head of Narimanov District Executive Authority has also concealed his biography. The “Head of Executive Authority” section on the Executive Authority's website is empty. What Mr. Elgun is cautious about is unknown.
According to his Wikipedia information, Elgin Shirin oglu Habibullayev is 48 years old. He received higher education at the Faculty of Finance and Credit of Azerbaijan State University of Economics.
In the early 2000s, he worked as a department head at Nizami District Executive Authority of Baku City.
From 2003 to 2011, he served as assistant to the Head of Ganja City Executive Authority, then Head of the Apparatus, from 2011 as Deputy Head of Sumgayit City Executive Authority, and from September 20, 2018, as Head of the Apparatus of Baku City Executive Authority.
Since February 18, 2022, he has been the Head of Narimanov District Executive Authority of Baku City.
Vasif Imanov, Head of Pirallahi District Executive Authority worked as an engineer-mechanic and chief mechanic at Road Operation Area No. 27 of the “Avtoyoltikinti” Ministry from 1983 to 1991, as head of the operations department, chief engineer, and head of the Mechanization of Construction and Transport Department of the “Shelfprojectconstruction” Production Association from 1991 to 1999, as deputy director at the Baku Deepwater Jackets Plant named after Heydar Aliyev from 2003 to 2006, and as deputy head of the Social Development Department of SOCAR until March 2013.
By order of the President dated March 7, 2013, he was appointed Head of Pirallahi District Executive Authority of Baku city. The 61-year-old Vasif Imanov has been leading Pirallahi for 12 years now.
Elkhan Ibrahimov, Head of Nasimi District Executive Authority was born in 1982. Unlike others, the Nasimi Executive Authority's website has provided his extensive biography.
E. Ibrahimov completed his bachelor's degree in “Finance and Credit” at Azerbaijan Cooperation University in 2003, and his master's degree in the same specialization in 2005, then studied at the Stockholm School of Economics. In 2025, he completed his education in state and municipal administration at the Academy of Public Administration.
He began his career in 2006 as a lecturer at Azerbaijan Cooperation University. Later, he held leadership positions in finance at the “Holiday Inn Baku Airport” hotel, “Baker Tilly” audit company, “Embawood” group of companies, and other holdings. From April 2020, he worked as deputy executive head at Shamakhi District Executive Authority, and from February 18, 2022, as Head of Kurdamir District Executive Authority.
On November 12, 2025, he was appointed Head of Nasimi District Executive Authority.
A.Gorkhmaz
