Yayale Ahmed

Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, CFR (born April 15, 1952) is a Nigerian politician from Azare, Bauchi State, and was Defence Minister of Nigeria. Ahmed is the Ajiyan Katagum, a Katagum Emirate position, and the Akowojo of Idanre Kingdom, in Ondo State.

Early life and education

Ahmed was born in the town of Shira in southern Azare, Bauchi State, to Ahmadu, an Islamic scholar and farmer. 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.

He has been awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree in Law by the University of Abuja and an honorary Doctorate Degree of Letters by Bayero University.

Civil service and politics

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.