A Profile in Service H/E Sen. Bala A. Muhammad (Kauran Bauch, CON) Exxecutive Governor, Bauchi State

Bauchi State Governor, His Excellency (Senator) Bala A. Mohammed, an illustrious Nigerian, was born on 5th October, 1958 at Duguri Town in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. He attended Duguri Primary School, Bauchi from 1965 to 1971 where he secured his First School Leaving Certificate. After that he was admitted into the Government Secondary School Bauchi from 1972 to 1976 where he passed his WASCE. From there he proceeded to North-East College of Art and Science between and 1977 and 1979 for his Advanced Level Certificate. From there he gained admission to the University of Maiduguri in 1979 and graduated in 1982 with BA Degree in English Language.

Senator Bala Mohammed attended the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) in 1988 for a general management course. In 1997, he attended a capacity building training in Lagos and was given a certificate of the Institute of Purchase & Supplies. He began his career as a journalist and rose to the position of News Editor of the Mirage Newspaper, Jos between 1982 and 1983. He also had a stint as a News Reporter with the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN). From there he moved over to the Democrat Newspaper where he worked as the newspaper's State Editor in charge of Benue from 1983 to 1984.
In 1984, he left his promising journalism career for civil service when he got employed as an Administrative Officer under the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs, Abuja. In 1994, he was promoted and redeployed as Principal Administrative Officer in the Cabinet Secretariat of the Presidency.

He was Chief Supplies Officer, Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals from 1995 to 1997. He rose to the position of Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Power and Steel in 1997. He held the position until 1999 when he was promoted Deputy Director/SA to the Hon Minister, Federal ministry of transport. He successfully discharged his functions in that capacity from 1999 to 2003. Following his dint of hard work and innovation, Senator Bala Mohammed was promoted as Director of Administration, Nigerian Railway Corporations in 2003. Later in September that year, he became Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation. In January, he became Director of Administration and Supplies, Nigerian Meteorological Agency. The various duties he performed in the course of his successful civil service career include the following: Assistant Secretary (1984 - 1986); Assistant Secretary (1987 - 1989); Senior Business Officer (1989 - 1992); Principal Business Officer (1992 - 1994); Assistant Chief Business Officer (1994 - 1995) and Chief Supplies Officer (1995 - 1997).

Others are Assistant Director, (1997 - 1999); Deputy Director/Special Assistant, (1999 - 2003); Director of Administration, (2003, September 2003); Special Assistant to the Hon Minister of Aviation, (2003, Jan. 2004); and Director of Administration and Supplies; (September 2003).
Senator Bala Mohammed's main duties which he performed during the period, 1982 to 2003, include working as a versatile journalist and team member to facilitate the establishment of the Mirage Newspaper, Jos; setting of the Democrat Newspaper Office at Makurdi, Benue State; Serving as Secretary, National Advisory Committee of Nigerian citizenship; Secretary, Inter-Ministerial Committee on National Day Celebrations and Secretary, National Advisory Council on Religious Affairs. He also performed duties as the Personal Assistant (PA) to the Hon. minister of Internal Affairs and Personal Assistant to the Director General, Cabinet Secretariat, the Presidency; he helped in setting up of Supplies Division Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals; Head of Division; Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power and Steel and Secretary Ministerial Tenders Board, Federal Ministry of Power and Steel.

Some ad-hoc duties Alhaji Bala Mohammed performed during the period 1984 to 2006 include the following: Secretary, Administrative Panel on the Re-organisation of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps; (1985); Secretary, Panel of Inquiry into the circumstances leading to the illegal acquisition of Nigerian citizens matter, (1988); Secretary, Committee on the formulation of illegal and administrative guidelines on Nigerian citizens matters; (1988); Secretary, Department Committee on implementation of Civil Services reforms, (1988) and Secretary, Ministerial Committee on Security fire and theft, Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs, Abuja (1989).
Others include: Secretary, Ministerial Committee on the assessment and repairs of un-serviceable vehicles, (1989); Secretary Board of Survey, (1990 " 1991); Secretary, Task Force on the rehabilitation of old prisons in Nigeria (May 1993); Secretary, Special Assignment Committee, (Project Implementation Committee, Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs, (1993-1994); Member, committee on the writing of the blueprint for Family Support Programme (FSP), (May 1994); Secretary, Organizing Committee for the launching of the Family Support Trust Fund (FSTF), the Presidency, (1994-Nov. 94) and Member representing the Presidency to the China on the rehabilitation of Nigerian Railways.

His Excellency Bala Mohammed was elected as a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on April 21, 2007 to represent the good people of Bauchi South Senatorial District. He occupied the respected seat in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly Senator Bala Mohammed has also attended several seminars and workshops Include Chairman, Compilation of Capital Assets, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development; Member, committee on annual report, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development; Member, committee on writing of Ministry's brochure, Ministry of Solid mineral development; Member, Panel on Cabotage Laws, Federal Ministry of Transport; Member, presidential committee on charges, tariffs and duties in the marine industry; Member, Committee on Inland Container Terminals; Member, Ministerial Delegation to Russia, UK, Liberia, Brazil and Turkey on Nigerian's nominee for Secretary General, International Maritime Organisation (IMO); Member, International Maritime Organisation Congress.

Member, Committee on the Establishment of Nigerians flag carrier to Virgin Nigeria Limited; Member, Recruitment Committee of Nigerian Meteorological Agency; Member, Interim Board for the Repositioning of SAHCOL; Chairman, Staff Audit and Nominal roll of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency; Chairman, Committee on the Implementation of the new Pension Scheme for NIMET; Chairman, Sub-committee on Personnel for the Implementation of NIMET reform programme; Member, NIMET Reform Implementation Committee and Chairman Committee on NIMET's salary structure, conditions of services and scheme of service.
He has Certificate of attendance, National Seminar on personnel Budget Implementation, at Lokoja and Certificate of attendance, National Seminar on Budget Implementation Programme at Kaduna. During his glorious tenure as a member of the Nigerian Senate, he served as the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation; Secretary, Northern Senators Forum; Member, Senate Committee on Communication; Member, Senate Committee on Finance; Member, Senate Committee on Public Accounts; Member, Senate Committee on Rules & Business; Member, Senate Committee on Environment; Member Senate Committee on Labour & Productivity and Member, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Jos crisis.
However, he was as a legislator with the Senate that he truly demonstrated his leadership qualities and drive to see the nation succeed. Soon after he assumed office as a Senator in 2007, the untimely death of President Umaru Musa Yaradua threatened to plunge the nation into a constitutional crisis capable of destroying the Fourth Republic . Despite his status as a relatively junior opposition Senator at the time , Senator Bala Mohammed made history when he broke ranks with powerful political interests and move d the motion for the doctrine of Necessity that protected the sanctity of Nigerian's democratic mandate . The courage he showed despite the overwhelming personal and political ramifications of the decision, cemented his position in a long tradition of great Statesmen from Bauchi State who had the courage to step up when the country needed them most.

His skill and compassion as a legislator , in addition to his strong technical record as a former civil servant readily brought him in to National demand when after just 3 years as a Senator, he was asked to serve the Republic as Minister of FCT in 2010. Through his vision and dedication to the radical Transformation Agenda , the FCT made rapid progress into a Capital City the nation could be proud of. His performance on security, inclusivity and innovation made Abuja one of the safest, dynamic and developed cities in West Africa . He deliberately leveraged IGR , ingenious new funding mechanisms and popular policies such as the Land Swap initiative to drive unprecedented growth and attract foreign investment. As a minister, his service was distinguished by the compassion he had for his new constituents regardless of economic and ethnic background and he left a development legacy that is still evident more than a decade later.

He was declared Governor of Bauchi State on March 26, 2019. In that fiercely fought election, Bala Mohammed, as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), scored 515,113 votes to defeat the then-incumbent governor, Muhammed Abubakar, who polled 500, 625 votes. Bauchi had 2,462,803 registered voters at the time. But 1,143, 019 voters were accredited for the election.
Having dutifully served on behalf of the Nation, Bala Mohammed set his sights on repaying the people of Bauchi State and bringing his varied and accomplished skillset to their service. Against an entrenched APC incumbent who was riding on the back of a landslide national election victory and with seemingly unassailable resources, few held hope that Bala Mohammad could win. However , Bala Muhammad has an uncanny track record of defying the odds. Despite his humble beginnings, he had already beaten a sitting Governor to the Senatorial seat and he put his faith in the good people of Bauchi State to make the right decision.

He ran an unorthodox and compassionate grassroots campaign that listened to people's concerns on the dire security situation and economic difficulties . His refreshing sincerity of approach , clear development credentials and issues-based campaign resonated deeply and he secured a stunning victory against an APC candidate with major regional and national tailwinds . By sheer example he became a leading figure for the PDP that exposed the weaknesses of the APC and how they could be overcome electorally . Since joining the Party , he has consistently played a key role in sustaining the party by acting as a bridge builder through his unwavering loyalty and commitment to the wider aims of the party.

As a Senator, senior Minister and Governor he has unparalleled depth as an administrator capable of getting results . He has a deep understanding of the needs, fears and dreams of Nigerians having worked across the country and with people from different backgrounds. In particular, he has demonstrated his democratic credentials and belief in meritocracy having empowered young people in his staff and government both at the FCT and Bauchi State , respectively . Again he buttresses his progressive streak with a deep respect and admiration for the Nation closely held traditions and won the respect of elders, religious and traditional leaders alike.
His current cabinet is a testament to his ability as a manager whose only allegiance is to pragmatism and the best interests of his constituents. The calibre of his appointments , including a number from the opposition party, have received widespread praise as arguably the best government in Bauchi State history. Conversely, the speed and discipline with which he has dispatched those who are unable to perform as expected reflects the seriousness with which he takes his responsibilities to his constituents.

Nonetheless, he has always reserved the highest standards for himself and those who have worked with him in any capacity by ensuring and rewarding hard work, patriotism, integrity and results. For example, he has taken an unconventional personal lead on monitoring and evaluation to counter the profligacy of past administrations ensur ing that every resource is accounted such as the drive to eradicate "ghost workers" from the state payroll , reducing waste, transparency in procurement, and many other economic and social reforms.
In two years as a governor, Bala Mohammed has put Bauchi in the path of transformation in the economic and social sectors. Those who visit Bauchi can attest to the numerous development projects that the state under his leadership is implementing.Besides completion of dozens of projects inherited from the previous administration, Governor Bala Mohammed succeeded initiating and completing many projects in the priority areas of his administration: Education, Health, Agriculture, infrastructure, human capital development (empowering youth and women) and security. Bauchi is today by far one of the safest states in Nigeria. All these wouldn't have been possible without his vision, discipline, courage, hard work, sincerity, humility and ability to assemble and supervise a capable team that translates his vision into reality.

Following his tremendous achievements in his first term, he was reelected for a second term in office in 2023 having defeated his closest rival, former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress, with over 93,000 votes.
His hobbies include reading, writing and strolling.

Keep up the good job , and may history be kind to you!