by Sadiq Yahaya
Born 5th August, 1987 in Nafada Local Government Area of Gombe State, Abbas Adamu Nafada, has proven to be a Nigerian technocrat, entrepreneur and politician with vast skills and experiences in the educational, digital, transportation, data analysis and processing, and research sectors garnered and exerted through his services in various MDAs across states of the federation.
Nafada played crucial roles in the 2023 campaign and elections as member of All Progressive Congress (APC) supporting the candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.
He was member field Operations Directorate APC Presidential Campaign Council, and Chairman APC 2023 National House of Representative Primary Elections Committee, Katsina State. He also served as Secretary Business and Professionals unit, under the directorate of stakeholder engagement, APC Presidential Campaign Council, 2023.
Nafada has also imprinted his impact as technocrat while a member of the Implementation and Monitoring Committee of the Twenty Billion (N20 billion) Naira Revitalisation Fund for the Nigerian Public Universities, where his expertise in project management and coordination has not only played a tremendous role, but also projected his passion for education and research.
This is not surprising because, in his role as the Special Assistant on Administration and Special Duties to the Honourable Minister of State for Education (HMSE), Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba from August 2019 to May 2023, he led several projects including the $611m World Bank Assisted Better Education Delivery for All (BESDA) across 17 states of the federation and played a crucial role in the review of digitisation policy of candidate’s enrolment by JAMB and other exam bodies that resulted in mandating the use of National Identification Number (NIN) by students for registration in the country.
Having studied Strategic Project Management at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom, Abbas under the mandate of the Hon. Minister of State for Education designed and assisted in the centralisation and digitisation of enrolment in FG’s Unity Schools to ensure to ensure equitable distribution of enrolees. His passion to contribute in transforming education in Nigeria is evident when he also served as a lead to a technical working committee in the implementation of the Alternate School Program as a key intervention to tackle the challenges of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
Well educated and dynamic in expertise, Abbas possess a powerful understanding of the Nigerian governance and in-demand mixture of experience and understanding of the various facets of the country’s socioeconomic realities. Having studied Computer Science at Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, he strengthened his tech skills with a Certificate in Business Management at Aberdeen Business School, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom, an Executive Education Course, “Achieving Leadership Excellence” at the London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK where he was trained in ethical and engaging leadership that enhances the performance and well-being of staff, as well as the performance of the organisation at large. These garnered expertises provide him with a favourable combination to explore various sectors of the Nigerian industry and governance.
Abbas is not just a technocrat, he is also a philanthropist that supports his community. Recently in 2023, Abbas facilitated the establishment of Solar power in the streets of his hometown, Nafada, in Gombe State.
He provided portable water and toilet facilities to public schools in the FCT, designed a scholarship system to primary school students gaining admission into secondary schools within Gwarimpa districts and donated baby incubators to public hospitals all in Gwarimpa districts of the Federal Capital Territory.
This showed that Adamu is not unforgetful of where he came from, but also gives back to his working community. This is a little out of the great sponsorship and support he provides young people to obtain or further their education. He has mentored hundreds of people and serves as a great inspiration to many.
Sadiq Yahaya, writes from Gombe State.
Mashaallah Nafada are proud of you sir and I personally seek for your mentorship