Hakeem Baba-Ahmed before the appointment held several key positions in public service
By Kehinde Okeowo
A political adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has resigned.
According to Daily Trust, sources in the presidency confirmed the development, saying the former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) tendered his registration about two weeks ago.
The sources further stated that Baba-Ahmed did not state the reasons for his decision; adding that it was on personal grounds.
Baba-Ahmed was appointed Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima in September 2023.
His role in the presidency, however, attracted criticism at certain points, including a face-off with the current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
Baba-Ahmed, a retired senior civil servant and former Chief of Staff to ex-Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, was born on September 11, 1955.
He hails from Kaduna State and has held several key positions in public service and governance.
Baba-Ahmed studied at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, the London School of Economics, and the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.
He began his career as a lecturer at the then University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto) before joining the Kaduna State Civil Service.
He later transferred to the Federal Civil Service, where he rose to the rank of Permanent Secretary.
During his career, Baba-Ahmed served as Permanent Secretary in various capacities, including in the Presidency and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He also held the position of Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
A reform-minded public servant, he also served as Secretary to the Kaduna State Government. His contributions to governance earned him the national honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).
