Alongside the recent appointment of Dr. Morufu Olatunji as the new Minister of Education after his cabinet reshuffling, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also appointed a new minister of State for Education. Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad took over this role after the President sacked YusufTanko Sununu, ,the former minister of state for education
Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad is a distinguished Nigerian educationist, gender advocate, and consultant with over 17 years of experience in the education sector. She is currently a lecturer at Bayero University Kano where she also served as the Director of the Centre for Gender Studies.
Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, born on February 13, 1981, in Jigawa State, Nigeria, began her educational journey at Bayero University Staff Primary and Secondary Schools. Her strong passion for education led her to pursue advanced studies, where she earned several prestigious academic qualifications.
She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Science Education from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, which she completed in 2014. Prior to that, she obtained a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum Studies from Bayero University, Kano, in 2009, and a Bachelor of Science Education (B.Sc. Ed) in Chemistry from the same institution in 2003. She has also served as level coordinator, examination officer, postgraduate coordinator, Sub Dean Academics, and Head of the Department of Science Education. This impressive academic foundation has equipped Dr. Ahmad with the expertise to tackle Nigeria’s educational challenges, particularly in science education and promoting gender equity.
Since 2004, Dr. Ahmad has been part of the faculty at Bayero University, Kano, where she currently holds the position of Associate Professor of Chemistry Education. Her academic career spans nearly two decades, during which she has made significant contributions to teacher education and science curriculum development. In addition to her teaching role, Dr. Ahmad serves as the Provost of Jigawa State College of Education. In this leadership position, she is responsible for training future educators and implementing policies aimed at improving teacher education across the state.
Beyond her academic roles, Dr. Ahmad has worked extensively as a consultant and researcher since 2010. She has collaborated with numerous international organisations, including the British Council, Education Data, Research and Evaluation in Nigeria (EDOREN), and the Partnership to Engage, Reform, and Learn (PERL). Her work in these roles has primarily focused on research and consultancy projects in the areas of education policy, teacher training, and governance reforms in the education sector.
A dedicated advocate for girl-child education, particularly in Northern Nigeria, Dr. Ahmad has been instrumental in breaking down cultural and socio-economic barriers that limit girls’ access to quality education. She has partnered with organisations like the Girls’ Education Advocacy Research Network (GEARn) and the Aafaaq Educational Foundation to drive initiatives that expand educational opportunities for young girls in the region.
Dr. Ahmad has also played a leading role in shaping educational policies at the state and national levels. She has spearheaded several education assessments and public expenditure reviews that have informed strategies for enhancing the quality of education, particularly in conflict-prone areas like Kano and Jigawa states. As a skilled researcher, her work spans both quantitative and qualitative studies, with a focus on teacher quality, curriculum development, and the effectiveness of educational reforms. Her research has provided valuable insights into the challenges facing Nigeria’s education system and offered evidence-based solutions to policymakers.
Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad is a well-respected educationist whose academic, leadership, and advocacy efforts have had a profound impact on improving education in Nigeria, especially for girls and women in underrepresented regions. Many Nigerians are looking forward to what her tenure along side with Dr. Morufu Olatunji the new Minister of Education holds.
