PROFILES: Meet the 12 Newly Appointed BoT Members of ABU Endowment Foundation

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The management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, earlier in the week appointed a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, as chairman, Board of Trustees of the reconstituted ABU Endowment Foundation.

The university also appointed prominent Alumni like former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Azubuike Ihejirika as well as former Secretary-General, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo; and former Executive Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo as members of the BOT.

A statement signed by the university’s Director, Public Affairs Directorate, Auwalu Umar, said other members of the 12-member BOT include former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Salamatu Husseini Suleiman; founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Chief Tony Elumelu; renowned economist, Malam Mohammed Hayatudeen; and former National President of Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association, Dr. (Mrs.) Henrietta Ogan.

Others include Chairman Board of Directors, DANE Investments Ltd, Dr. Suleyman Abdu Ndanusa; retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu; Non-Executive Director, Board of Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Abubakar Abdu; and politician and social activist, Hajiya Naja’atu Muhammad while Registrar and Secretary to the university council are to serve as the secretary of the BOT.

Below is a brief profile of all members of the BOT.

Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed: Chairman
Mahmud Yayale Ahmed: Chairman BoT, ABU Endowment Foundation
Mahmud Yayale Ahmed: Chairman BoT, ABU Endowment Foundation

Mahmud Yayale Ahmed (Ajiyan Katagum in Bauchi state), CFR is a distinguished Abusite and respected Nigerian elder statesman and politician from Azare, Bauchi State who was Head of the service of the Federation, Secretary to the government of the Federation as well as Defence Minister of Nigeria.

Born on April 15, 1952, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed attended Shira Primary School from 1960 to 1966, Government Secondary School Azare 1967 to 1971, School of Basic Studies, ABU Zaria, 1972 to 1973, and then Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria where he received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1976 and a master’s degree in Public Administration in 1981.

He holds honorary Doctorate degrees from the University of Abuja 2001, Bayero University, Kano 2004, and University of Benin 2003. As well as the National Honor of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic in December 2001.

Alhaji Yayale Ahmed is the Ajiyan Katagum, a Katagum Emirate position, and the Akowojo of Idanre Kingdom, in Ondo State. He is married with seven children. He speaks Hausa, Fulani, and English.

Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Azubuike Ihejirika
Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Azubuike Ihejirika
Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd)

Azubuike Ihejirika, CFR, Born on February 13, 1956, in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State Nigeria is a retired Nigerian Army lieutenant general and former Chief of Army Staff.

He was educated at Williams Memorial High School in Afugiri, a town in Umuahia North, Abia State where he obtained a London General Certificate in 1975, as well as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination with a grade I distinction.

He is a member of the 18th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in December 1977 into the Corps of Nigerian Army Engineers (NAE).

Lt. General Ihejirika holds a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Survey from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and is an alumnus of military institutions such as the Command and Staff College, Jaji, and the National War College.

Dr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo
Dr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo
Dr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo

Dr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo born 20 April 1959, is a Nigerian politician and outgoing Secretary-General of OPEC.

He previously served as Acting Secretary-General in 2006, represented Nigeria on OPEC’s Economic Commission Board during 1993–2008, led the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation during 2009–2010, and has headed Nigeria’s technical delegation to UN climate negotiations since 1991.

Barkindo completed his bachelor’s degree in political science from Ahmadu Bello University (Zaria, Nigeria) in 1981 and his Master of Business Administration degree from Washington University in 1991.

Before MBA, in 1988 he earned a postgraduate diploma in Petroleum Economics from Oxford University. Also, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Federal University of Technology Yola

Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo
Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo
Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo

Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo born 4th April 1962 is a distinguished ABU Alumnus and respected Nigerian politician who was the Governor of Gombe State, Nigeria In office 29th May 2011 – 29th May 2019.

He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1985, with a degree in Accounting, Obtained a Master of Science degree in Economics from the University of Lagos in 1992, and a Ph.D. in Accounting from Igbinedion University.

He began his career with Coopers & Lybrand in 1985 and worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria from 1988 to 1999. He was then appointed Accountant General of Gombe State, holding this position until 2005.

He was appointed Accountant – General of the Federation on 20 April 2005. He also served on the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He held this office until he resigned to start his campaign for election as Governor of Gombe State in January 2011.

Hajiya Salamatu Husseini Suleiman
Hajiya Salamatu Husseini Suleiman
Hajiya Salamatu Husseini Suleiman

Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman is a Nigerian lawyer who currently serves as the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security. Before this, she was appointed Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development in December 2008 and left office in March 2010.

Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman was born in Argungu, a fishing community in Kebbi State. In 1972, she obtained entry to Queens College, Lagos. She went on to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where she obtained a degree in law. She then went to the London School of Economics and Political Science where she gained a master’s degree in law.

Her first job as a lawyer was with the Ministry of Justice in the old Sokoto State. She then worked at Continental Merchant Bank, Lagos for seven years, and worked for a short time at NAL Merchant Bank before moving to Aluminum Smelter Company, where she was company secretary/legal adviser.

After that, she worked at the Securities and Exchange Commission before being appointed Minister.

Chief Tony Elumelu
Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu CON MFR
Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu CON MFR

Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu CON MFR is a Nigerian economist, and philanthropist. He is a Business owner, citing Heirs Holdings, Transcorp, and founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Tony Elumelu was born in Jos, Plateau, Nigeria, on 22 March 1963. He studied Economics at the Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University) obtaining a BSc and a Master of Science degree in Economics from the University of Lagos.

He worked in the Nigerian Bank Union Bank as a Youth Corp member of the National Youth Service Corps in 1985 before starting his career as a salesman. Elumelu subsequently joined Allstates Trust Bank in 2005 and United Bank for Africa (UBA) was acquired afterward.

In 1997, Elumelu led a small group of investors to take over a struggling Crystal Bank (later renamed Standard Trust Bank). He turned it profitable within a few years and in 2005 he led one of the largest mergers in the banking sector in Sub-Saharan Africa by acquiring United Bank for Africa (UBA).

Following the merger of Standard Trust Bank and United Bank for Africa in 2005, Elumelu led the company as Group Managing Director from a single-country banking group to a pan-African bank with subsidiaries in 20 African countries, France, the U.S, and the U.K, eventually stepping down in 2010.

Following his retirement from United Bank for Africa in 2010, Elumelu founded The Tony Elumelu Foundation. The Tony Elumelu Foundation promotes entrepreneurship in Africa.

Malam Mohammed Hayatudeen
Malam Mohammed Hayatudeen
Malam Mohammed Hayatudeen

Mohammed Hayatudeen is a Renowned economist and distinguished ABU Alumni who is currently serving on the ABU Governing Council.

An alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University having graduated in 1976 with BSc in Economics. He was Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) from 1983 to 1988. As NNDC’s Group Chief Executive, Hayatu-Deen provided leadership, direction, and oversight to 140 subsidiary and associate companies under the group portfolio.

Hayatu-Deen has in the course of his career been Chairman/Director of several organizations, including Nigerian Stock Exchange, Northern Nigeria Investment Limited, Nigeria Hotels Limited, Kaduna Textiles Limited, New Nigeria Construction Company, Benue Cement Company,  Virgin Nigeria Limited, Seven-Up Bottling Company, and many others.

He has also been involved in several extra-curricular and national assignments. For example, he was a member, of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Transition Committee and Chairman of the Transition Committee on Economy as well as Chairman Nigerian Economic Summit Group – Nigeria’s leading Economic think-tank.

Hayatu-Deen founded the Alpine Group in 2005, a project development company focused on intervening in high-growth sectors of the economy through direct investments. And in 2000 he was conferred with a National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in recognition of his numerous services to the nation.

Dr. Suleyman Abdu Ndanusa
Suleyman Abdu Ndanusa
Suleyman Abdu Ndanusa

Suleyman Abdu Ndanusa is a Banker, a Lawyer, an Economist, a Certified National Accountant, Stockbroker, and Chartered Secretary.

He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with a Bsc (2nd Class Upper) degree in Economics in 1978 and obtained an MBA in 1982 from the same University. He obtained an LLB degree from the University of Lagos in 2000 and was called to bar in 2003.

He is also a graduate of the prestigious Advanced Management Program (AMP) of Harvard Business School USA and the Advanced Leadership Programme (ALP) from Judge Business School, Cambridge University, UK. He is a holder of a Ph.D. MGMT (Corporate Governance) from the University of San Juan, and also a holder of Ph.D. in Security and Strategy from Nasarawa State University.

He was the Board Chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria from January 2013 to April 2015 having previously served as the Director-General from 1999 – 2004. He was the Chairman/Pro-Chancellor of IBB University Lapai in Niger State (2009- 2015).

He is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Mandate Consulting Limited, Abuja; a multidisciplinary consulting firm providing services in corporate governance, risk management, economic research, financial services sector and advisory on policy formulation.

Ndanusa’s career includes leadership roles at Spring Bank Plc, Nigeria where he served as Managing Director/CEO from June 2007 – Dec 2008 (an interim arrangement to salvage the crisis-ridden Bank). Before his appointment, he was Lead Consultant in the Central Bank of Nigeria Bank Consolidation Monitoring Team.

Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu

Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi OON is a Nigerian Civil servant who joined the Civil Service in August 1988 and became a Permanent Secretary in January 2001. In 2003, he was appointed Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

Born on 28th January 1957, in Damau, Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He attended Government College Kaduna from 1971 to 1975, then went on to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria where he obtained a First Class Honours B. Engr in Mechanical Engineering; M.Sc in Mechanical Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, United States.

Aliyu lectured at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the University of Zimbabwe, Harare, before joining the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Abuja, in 1988. In 1994, he was appointed the Director-General and Chief Executive of RMRDC. In August 1997, Abdullahi Aliyu was appointed the Pioneer Director-General and Chief Executive of the Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP).

He was a visiting professor at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi in 1998. In 2001, FEAP was transformed to National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) where he served as a Federal Permanent Secretary. In 2007, Dr. Aliyu was awarded for his services to the nation with the title of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by former late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Dr. Abubakar Abdu

Dr. Abdu Abubakar was born on 3rd October 1961 in Katsina. He graduated with First Class honors in BSc. Quantity Surveying from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He has over thirty years of academic and working experience.

Dr. Abdu is an expert in Construction Economics and Management and has held various positions in both the Private and Public Sectors which include Executive Director, Banking Operation and Services at First Bank Plc.

He served as a Director in ATM Consortium Limited, Interswitch Limited, First Pension Custodian Nigeria Limited, and Rainbow Town Development Limited. He was also a Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of State for Education and Special Adviser to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on Private Sector and Parastatals.

Dr. Abdu undertook several types of research and publications nationally and internationally. He is a Fellow and member of many Professional Organisations such as the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, the Nigerian Institute of Building, the Nigerian Institute of Management, and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, among others. Dr. Abdu has served as Chairman and member of many Committees in both the Private and the Public Sectors.

Hajiya Naja’atu Muhammad

Naja’atu Bala Muhammad is a Nigerian politician. She is also one of the first women to have served as president of the National Students Union Nigeria in the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU), and also the first female Vice – President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

Muhammad was born in 1956, in the Central City of Kano. She attended primary school at St. Louis Private School, Kano, and went to WTC Secondary School in Kano. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in history from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Muhammed is the widow of Dr. Bala Muhammed, a political adviser to Second Republic Governor Abubakar Rimi.

Her husband was murdered during the administration of Abubakar Rimi. between 1982 and 1983 by a mob that caused a rampage after Governor Abubakar Rimi. issued the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero a query.

Malam Rabiu Samaila: Secretary

Malam Rabiu Samaila is the Registrar Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Until his appointment, he was the Deputy Registrar of, the Human Resources Development Department. He served as the Ag. Registrar and Secretary to Council of the University on two occasions: December 2014 – September 2015 and February – June 2016. 

Born in Tudun Wada, Zaria, Kaduna State on 1st September 1964, Malam Rabiu Samaila graduated with B.A. (Combined Honours) in History and Political Science with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) from the Department of History, Ahmadu Bello University in 1987. He also obtained a Master of Public Administration degree from the Department of Public Administration, Ahmadu Bello University in 2011. 

He joined the services of Ahmadu Bello University as an Administrative Assistant in the Registry Department on 29th March 1989 and rose through the ranks to the position of Deputy Registrar on 1st October 2006. 

In the course of his career, he served in different parts of the University, namely: School of Postgraduate Studies, Institute of Education, Directorate of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, and Human Resources Development Department, where he headed and was directly responsible to the Registrar since 2011. 

Samaila is a member of many professional bodies such as the Association of University Administrators (UK), the Association of Common-Wealth Universities’ Human Resources in Higher Education Community, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria. This is an addition to being a Licensed Human Resource Professional. 

Henrietta Ogan

Henrietta Ogan is a Nigerian Business administrator and former National President of Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association. She was succeeded by Ahmed Tijani Mora, a Pharmacist, former Registrar, and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria.


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Chila Andrew Aondofa

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