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
PresidentUmaru Musa Yar'Adua
Goodluck Jonathan
Preceded byBaba Gana Kingibe
Succeeded byAnyim Pius Anyim
Minister of Defence
In office
26 July 2007 – 8 Sept 2008
PresidentUmaru Musa Yar'Adua
Preceded byRabiu Kwankwaso
Succeeded byShettima Mustapha
Head of Civil Service of the Federation
In office
18 December 2000 – 26 July 2007
PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
Succeeded byEbele Ofunneamaka Okeke
Personal details
Born (1952-04-15) 15 April 1952 (age 72)
Shira, Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria
ChildrenSeven
Alma materAhmadu Bello University
OccupationCivil servant, politician
AwardsOrder of the Federal Republic
Location of Bauchi State in Nigeria

Early life and education

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Ahmed 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

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Ahmed 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

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He was decorated with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).[2]

Personal life

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Ahmed is married with seven children. He speaks Hausa, Fulani, and English. He has 7 children, Khadija, Nabil, Halima, Ibrahim, Usman, Sagir and Nabila.

Titles

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Ahmed is the Ajiyan Katagum, a Katagum Emirate position, and the Akowojo of Idanre Kingdom, in Ondo State.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Yusuf Aliyu, Addy (2003-04-15). "Yayale, an icon at 51". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
  2. ^ a b Igali, Godknows B. (2022-05-16). "One word on super bureaucratic Yayale Ahmed @ 70 years". Vanguard. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  3. ^ Dogara, Lawal (2006-05-10). "2007 Bauchi Guber Polls…Yayale Ahmed urged to contest". Newsday Nigeria. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  4. ^ "Nigerian cabinet: A mixture of old and new". Independent Online. 2007-07-27. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
  5. ^ "Anyim Pius Anyim appointed SGF". Vanguard. 2011-05-30. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  6. ^ Erunke, Joseph (2024-08-31). "Ex Head of Service, Yayale Ahmed, emerges new chairman of varsity pro-chancellors". Vanguard. Retrieved 2024-09-05.
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