Who is Ambassador Adamu Aliyu, OFR, mni (Walin Katagum), whom Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University honored?

Alhaji Adamu Aliyu was born on October 24, 1944, in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

He attended Azare Central Elementary Primary School and later proceeded to Azare Boarding Primary School. In 1959, he gained admission into the famous Barewa College in Zaria. After completing his studies there, he went on to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained his first degree in History and Political Science.

He then got a job in the North Eastern State, where he held various positions. Due to his hard work and dedication, he was appointed as the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor of the North Eastern State, serving under Brigadier Musa Usman and Colonel Muhammadu Buhari (later General Buhari).

After the creation of Bauchi State in 1976, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu returned to serve in the state. He became a Permanent Secretary in five ministries, including Education, Works and Transport, Cabinet Secretariat and Administration, Trade and Industry, and Home Affairs and Information, as well as Local Government. By 1986, he rose to become Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service of Bauchi State. He also served as Commissioner for Agriculture before retiring in 1988.

After retirement, he went into business for about four years. In 1992, civilian governors of Northern Nigeria invited him to manage their investment company, the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) in Kaduna. During his five-year tenure, he successfully restructured the company and improved its financial strength.

In 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Japan, where he served with distinction.

He later became Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) in Onne, Rivers State. He has vast experience in public service and governance. This doctorate degree is not his first, as Enugu State University had also awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2016.

A major point of pride is that Ambassador Adamu Aliyu was the first Registrar of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, serving from 1981 to 1984.