Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, CFR (born 15 April 1952) is a Nigerian civil servant and politician who served as Defence Minister of Nigeria.
Salihu Muhammad | |
|---|---|
 Yayale Ahmed in 2010 | |
| Secretary to the Government of the Federation | |
| In office 8 Sept 2008 – May 2011 | |
| President | Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Goodluck Jonathan |
| Preceded by | Baba Gana Kingibe |
| Succeeded by | Anyim Pius Anyim |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 26 July 2007 – 8 Sept 2008 | |
| President | Umaru Musa Yar'Adua |
| Preceded by | Rabiu Kwankwaso |
| Succeeded by | Shettima Mustapha |
| Head of Civil Service of the Federation | |
| In office 18 December 2000 – 26 July 2007 | |
| President | Olusegun Obasanjo Umaru Musa Yar'Adua |
| Succeeded by | Ebele Ofunneamaka Okeke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 April 1952 Shira, Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria |
| Children | Seven |
| Alma mater | Ahmadu Bello University |
| Occupation | Civil servant, politician |
| Awards | Order of the Federal Republic |
Early life and education
editAhmed was born in the town of Shira in southern Azare, Bauchi State, to Ahmadu, an Islamic scholar and farmer.[1] He attended Shira Primary School, Government Secondary School Azare, and then Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, where he received a bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1976 and a master's degree in Public Administration in 1981. He completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service in 1977.[2]
He has an honorary Doctorate Degree in Law awarded by the University of Abuja and an honorary Doctorate Degree of Letters by Bayero University.[1]
Civil service and politics
editAhmed joined the Bauchi State Civil Service in 1977. In 1982, he became deputy secretary to the state's Ministry of Animal Health and Forestry Resources, and the next year, in 1983, he became acting permanent secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development and Cooperatives.[1]
In 1986, he joined the federal government's civil service, holding various positions in the Ministries of Internal Affairs and of Education. He was a member of the 1988 Ministerial Committee on the Civil Service Reforms.[1]
Ahmed was appointed to the position of Head of Civil Service of the Federation on December 18, 2000, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who described Ahmed as "Mr Civil Servant".[1]
In May 2006, Yayale considered running for Governor or Bauchi State in the 2007 general election. According to Yahuza Bauchi, the people of Bauchi State were "clamouring for Alhaji Yayale Ahmed to assume the mantle of leadership in the state so as to consolidate the good works of Governor Adamu Mua'zu."[3]
President Umaru Yar'Adua appointed him to the position of Defence Minister on July 26, 2007. He had no military experience prior to the appointment. On September 8, 2008, President Umaru Yar'Adua appointed him as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) replacing Babagana Kingibe.[4] In May 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan replaced Ahmed with Senator Anyi Pius Anyim.[5]
On August 31, 2024, Umaru Yar'Adua became chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities (CPCNFU).[6]
Awards and honours
editHe was decorated with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).[2]
Personal life
editAhmed is married with seven children. He speaks Hausa, Fulani, and English. He has 7 children, Khadija, Nabil, Halima, Ibrahim, Usman, Sagir and Nabila.
Titles
editAhmed is the Ajiyan Katagum, a Katagum Emirate position, and the Akowojo of Idanre Kingdom, in Ondo State.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Yusuf Aliyu, Addy (2003-04-15). "Yayale, an icon at 51". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
- ^ a b Igali, Godknows B. (2022-05-16). "One word on super bureaucratic Yayale Ahmed @ 70 years". Vanguard. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ Dogara, Lawal (2006-05-10). "2007 Bauchi Guber Polls…Yayale Ahmed urged to contest". Newsday Nigeria. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
- ^ "Nigerian cabinet: A mixture of old and new". Independent Online. 2007-07-27. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
- ^ "Anyim Pius Anyim appointed SGF". Vanguard. 2011-05-30. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
- ^ Erunke, Joseph (2024-08-31). "Ex Head of Service, Yayale Ahmed, emerges new chairman of varsity pro-chancellors". Vanguard. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
External links
edit- Akinrefon, Dapo; Oke, Gbenga; Ojideagu, Cynthia (2007-12-08). "Presidential Election Petition: Generals at war over Yar'Adua". Vanguard. Retrieved 2024-09-05 – via allAfrica.
- Kilete, Molly (2007-12-03). "Mass promotion in Army, Air Force". The Sun. Retrieved 2007-12-27.[permanent dead link]