List of 70 prominent Nigerians that attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria

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Established in 1961, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, began following the recommendation of the Ashby Commission on "Post-School Certificate and Higher Education in Nigeria". A Law establishing a Provisional Council for the University was passed by the Legislature of Northern Nigeria in April while the Council itself was constituted in November, 1961, under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Shettima Kashim, CBE, who later became Sir Kashim Ibrahim KCMG, CBE. 

See also: How to check ABU Admission List

ABU logo

Sir Norman Stanley Alexander, a New Zealander and a Professor of Physics at the University College, Ibadan, was appointed the First Principal, later Vice-Chancellor, of the University in July and he assumed office in November, 1961.

ABU Entrance Gate

Ahmadu Bello University began full operation in 1962, on the cites of these educational institutions: the defunct Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, founded in 1955; the Clerical Training Centre, Kongo, founded in 1957; the Samaru Agricultural Research Station, established in  1924, and the Shika Livestock Farm, started in 1928. The University was named after Sir Ahmadu Bello (1901-1966), "the Sardauna of Sokoto" and the Premier of Northern Nigeria. As the first Chancellor of the University, Sir Ahmadu Bello performed its Opening Ceremony on the 4th of October, 1962. In 1975, the University was taken over by the Federal Government through a Decree (the Ahmadu Bello University [Transitional] Provisions Decree of 1975), thus becoming a Federal University.

Backview of ABU Senate Building

The total student enrolment in the University's degree and sub-degree programmes is about 35,000, drawn from every State of the Federation, Africa and the rest of the world. Currently, the University has about 1,400 academic and research staff and over 6000 non-teaching, senior and junior administrative staff. The University has also nurtured two University Colleges, - the Abdullahi Bayero College (now Bayero University Kano (BUK)), Kano State and the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa College (now Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU)), Bauchi State, while 27 institutions made up of Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Schools of Basic or Preliminary Studies are currently affiliated to it.

The Ahmadu Bello University is notable for producing prominent people and Nigerian leaders, including many former presidents, former and current state governors and ministers. Amongst the alumni are:

1.            Atiku Abubakar GCON, former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Presidential Aspirant

Atiku Abubakar GCON

2.              Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila , administrator

3.              Abdullahi Mustapha , former Vice Chancellor (ABU)

4.              Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba, Shehu of Borno,

5.              Adamu Mu'azu , former Bauchi State governor

6.              Afakriya Gadzama , former Director General Nigerian State Security Service

7.              Ahmed Abdullah, OON, former Agriculture and Rural Development Minister

8.              Ahmed Makarfi , former Kaduna state governor

9.              Ahmed Tijjani Mora, pharmacist, President ABU Alumni Association

10.         Aminu Safana, doctor/politician

11.         Andrew Yakubu, former group MD, NNPC

12.         Anthony Ayine , auditor general for the Federation

13.         Attahiru Jega , Professor, former chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

14.         Ayodele Awojobi, Scientist and Professor at University of Lagos

15.         Azubuike Ihejirika, former Chief of Army Staff

16.         Bukar Abba Ibrahim , former Governor, Yobe State

17.         Catherine Uju Ifejika , chairman and CEO, Brittania-U Limited

18.         Dahiru Musdapher , former Chief Justice of Nigeria

19.         Danbaba Danfulani Suntai , former Governor, Taraba State

20.         Dino Melaye , Senator, Kogi West

21.         Donald Duke , former Cross River state governor

22.         Faruk Imam, Justice, Kogi state Judiciary

23.         Ghali Umar Na'Abba , former Speaker, House of Representatives

24.         Ibrahim Garba , current Vice Chancellor (ABU)

25.         Ibrahim Geidam , Governor, Yobe State

26.         Ibrahim H. Umar , former Vice Chancellor and scientist

27.         Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo , Governor, Gombe State

28.         Ibrahim Kpotun Idris , current IGP, Nigeria Police Force

29.         Ibrahim Lamorde , former chairman, EFCC

30.         Ibrahim Shekarau , former Kano state governor

31.         Ibrahim Shema , former Governor, Katsina State

32.         Ibrahim Zakzaky prominent Shi'ite-Islam cleric, founder Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

33.         Idris M. Bugaje, professor, Rector of Kaduna Polytechnic (KADPOLY)

34.         Idris Legbo Kutigi , former Chief Justice of Nigeria

35.         Isa Marte Hussaini, professor, pharmacologist

36.         Isa Yuguda , former Governor, Bauchi State

37.         Jerry Gana, former Information Minister

38.         Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya , former Kano state governor

39.         Lawal Musa Daura , Director General, Nigerian State Security Service

40.         Mansur Mukhtar, former executive director of the World Bank

41.         Maryam Ciroma , former Minister of Women Affairs

42.         Mike Omotosho , National Chairman of the Labour Party (Nigeria)

43.         Mohammed Bawa, former Ekiti State governor

44.         Mohammed Bello Adoke , former Minister of Justice & Attorney General of the Federation

45.         Muhammad Adamu Aliero, former Governor, Kebbi State

46.         Muhammed K. Abubakar, academic, former Minister

47.         Namadi Sambo, former Vice President of Nigeria

48.         Nasir el-Rufai , Governor Kaduna State

49.         Nenadi Usman, former Finance Minister

50.         Nuhu Ribadu, former chairman, EFCC

51.         Oladipo Diya, GCON, former Vice President/CGS, Federal Republic of Nigeria

52.         Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa , former Governor Kaduna state

53.         Rebecca Ndjoze-Ojo , Namibian, politician

54.         Rilwanu Lukman, former Secretary General OPEC & Petroleum Minister

55.         Samuel Ioraer Ortom , former Minister of State Trade and Investments

56.         Samuel Oboh, architect

57.         Sanusi Lamido, former Governor Central, Bank of Nigeria , current Emir of Kano

58.         Shamsudeen Usman, former Minister of National Planning

59.         Shehu Ladan , former Group MD, NNPC

60.         Solomon Arase , former IGP, Nigeria Police Force

61.         Sunday Awoniyi , Northern Yoruba Leader, former chairman ACF

62.         Turai Yar'Adua , former First Lady

63.         Umaru Musa Yar'Adua , GCFR, former President of Nigeria

64.         Umaru Tanko Al-Makura , Governor, Nasarawa State

65.         Usman Bayero Nafada , former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives

66.         Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari , Governor, Kebbi State

67.         Ussif Rashid Sumaila , economist

68.         Yahaya Bello, governor, Kogi state

69.         Yayale Ahmed, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation

70.         Zainab Abdulkadir Kure, politician