Born on 1st January 1957 at Bajoga ward of Gombe Local Government to the family of the renowned public servant and a community leader, Alh. Mu’azu Halilu (Ubandoman Gombe), Engr Abubakar Mu’azu attended Tudun Wada Primary School Gombe, from 1964 to 1970. Having completed his secondary school education from 1971 to 1975 at the famous Government Science Secondary School Gombe, with flying colours. He proceeded to the Kaduna Polytechnic to obtain a diploma and a higher national diploma in civil engineering (water options) in 1982. He also acquired a Post Graduate Diploma in Civil Engineering from ATBU Bauchi, in 2001.
Engr. Mu’azu attended courses within and outside the country, among which are a short Course in Water Planning at the National Water Resource Institute Kaduna, Water Resources Technology at the University of Birmingham, UK, a Computer Training Workshop and Operation & Maintenance at M & W Corp. USA, a Professional Course on Middle Management Refresher Course at UBRBDA Yola, International Workshop in Dams Safety Operations & Maintenance at JAPCON Consultants, Ikeja, Lagos, International Course on Small Hydropower (SHP) Development at Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India, National Workshop on Capacity Building on Small Hydropower Development at ATBU Bauchi, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO-SHP) Workshop on SHP Site Evaluation & Policy Strategies at Hangzhou P.R. China, International Association of Hydrological Sciences General Assembly at Perugia Italy, International Commission of Large Dams Annual General Meeting, ICOLD AGM at Sofia, Bulgaria, International Conference on Dams & Hydropower in Africa at African Union & Ethiopian Electricity Corporation, Water for Society Swedish International Water Institute (SIWI) World Water Week (2019), Workshop on Leadership and Strategic Management at The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Topo, Badagry, Capacity building training at ASCON Badagry Batch 3, training of MDs, DGs & CEOs of all FGN MDAs, Agencies and Institutions.
Given his commitment and selfless service to the nation, Engr Abubakar Mu’azu got the following decorations in his career. They include; Africa’s patriotic Personality of the Year 2018, by the League of Africa Development Students. Nigeria’s Selfless Service Gold Award, 2018 edition. Life Ambassador of Peace, Leadership Award (2019). Honorary Doctorate in water science in 2022. The achiever per excellence award by Arewa Youth Forum, 2024.
Appointments held by this great son of the land include among others:
N.Y.S.C. Primary assignment at National Water Resources Institute Mando Road Kaduna from October 1982 to September 1983. Asst. Lecturer – National Water Resources Institute Mando Road Kaduna Oct. 1983 – Sept 1988. He joined the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority by transfer of service as a Principal Technical Officer (Hydrology) in charge of the Authority’s Hydrometeorological section 1988-1992. He was promoted to a Project Manager in charge of Administration of Personnel, Operations & Maintenance of Dam infrastructure. Feb, 1992- Dec, 1999. Then he rose through the rank and file to become an Assistant Director (Operations), Deputy Director (Operations), and Executive Director (Engineering) of the Authority. During which he worked as the Project Co-coordinator of UNIDO-SHP Pilot Projects and Project Coordinator of USTDA commissioned Consultant, for the feasibility of Kiri Dam hydropower done by M/S Princeton Energy Resources International USA. He worked on secondment as Special Assistant on Hydropower to the Minister of State for Power from June 2010 to May 2011. He has worked as a Part-time Lecturer (1) at the Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola (MAUTECH), Department of Agric & Environmental Engineering, from January 2012 to December 2012.
Engineer Mu’azu was Appointed Managing Director (CEO) of the Authority in June 2016 by Mr President and Commander in Chief Muhammadu Buhari GCFR; he was Reappointed Managing Director (CEO) of the Authority in June 2020 for a second term; and bowed out of office in the 6th of June 2024, following his tenure expiration. After leaving public service, he was conferred the traditional title of “Wakili Koguna” (meaning the river envoy of HRH) by HRH the Emir (Lamido) of Adamawa (Fombina) Emirates in July 2024. Engr Mu’azu is the current Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
His memberships include: Member Nigeria National Committee for International Hydrological Programs for UNESCO (NC-IHP UNESCO) from 1988 to date. Member Nigerian Association of Hydrological Sciences (NAHS) 2004. Member International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) 2004. Registered Engineer (COREN), Nigeria. 2003. Member International Network on Small Hydro Power for UNIDO (SHP) 2004. Member Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE) 2006. Member Nigerian National Committee on Large Dams/ NICOLD and the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) 2006. Corporate Member International Hydropower Association (IHA) 2014.
He was conferred with a distinguished Fellowship award from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) in 2017 and a Fellowship award from the Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineering (FNICE) in 2021.
