Samuel Hurkato was the Minister of Science and Higher Education from August 2020 – October 2021. He was also the Minister of Mines and Petroleum from October 2018-2020.

Samuel has a BA and an MA in Economics from Hawassa and Mekelle University, respectively. He has also a PhD in Environment and Development Studies from Addis Ababa University.

Samuel was the President of Wolaita Sodo University before he became the Minister of Mines and Petroleum in 2018.