Nuhu Bamalli: The 19th Emir of Zazzau

• Banker.Manufacturer. TelecomExecutive.   Diplomat. Public Servant*

AMBASSADOR Nuhu Bamalliwas born on June 8, 1966 in Zaria city of Kaduna State, which is one of the oldest provinces in northern Nigeria.

He had both primary and secondary education in Kaduna city and then went to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to study law. He also has a Master’s degree in international affairs and diplomacy,

His thirst for knowledge and personal development propelled him to do courses at a number of educational institutes at home and abroad, mostly for short programs on leadership.

 He attended Harvard and Oxford universities as well as Northwestern University in Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania.

Most of Bamalli’sprofessional life has been in the banking sector, even though he studied law and international relations

He started from conventional banking and later moved to Nigerian Security Printing and Minting, which produces Nigeria’s currency as well as security papers for the Nigerian government.

 He held two positions there: executive director of corporate services and general administration, and subsequently, managing director on the board of directors, where he served for almost two years.

After leaving the minting company, he went back to Oxford University to study.

It was while at the university that the present government invited him to be a part of the transitional committee in Kaduna State. After the transition period he was appointed to the Electoral Commission in his state, Kaduna

A few months down the line he was nominated by President MuhammaduBuhari to be Ambassador to Thailand.

Bamalli’s  working career, in total, spanned  26 years which took him to the banking, telecommunications, manufacturing and public sectors.

And this is why after attending an intensive 4-month course at the University of York, he was made a Senior Chevening Fellow, which is honor bestowed on people with significant professional achievements.

Bamalli is also an alumnus of the Harvard Business School, where he earned a GMP in 2011. He holds the royal title of MagajinGarinZazzau, the second most senior princely title of the Zazzau Emirate.

He is happily married to Mairo A. Bamalli, the union is blessed with five children, one boy and four girls”

Bamalli is a proud son of the Zazzau’s  Emirate. He always speaks about his lineage in the emirate with pride.

His word: “It is an emirate, founded by my great-grandfather around 1804. Prior to that, it was a part of various kingdoms and settlements. But from 1804 there has been an emirate system operating in the whole of northern Nigeria, and it is still in place today. 

“My late father, H.E. Nuhu Bamalli, held the princely title of MagajinGarinZazzau. In the English translation it is much like lord mayor. The title is given to the second most senior royal family member in the Zaria emirate.”

On October 1, 1960, Nigeria became an independent state. My father was an important figure in the struggle for independence. He was appointed a junior minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in 1960 and in 1965 became the Foreign Minister. In fact he addressed the UN General Assembly in New York that same year.

After his passing in 2001 at the age of 84, I took over the MagajinGarinZazzautitle. However, since I am still pursuing my career I don’t stay in the emirate to oversee a district like most of the title holders. Therefore, I only retain the title and then advice the emir from time to time when the need arises. The emir assigns some responsibilities to me, especially representation in functions that he is not personally attending.

Brief CV of H.E. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli

Professional experience

• Ambassador

(a) Kingdom of Thailand, 2017- present.

(b) Republic of the Union of Myanmar, 2017- present.

• Commissioner Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, 2015-2017.

a)  Commissioner in charge of finance.

b)  In charge of 4 Electoral Zones in the State.

• Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer & ED Corporate Services Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Plc, November

2011-2014.

(a)  Executive director in charge of corporate services, 2011-2012.

(b)  Managing Director, 2012-2014.

• General Manager Human Resources Management Nigerian Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTEL), 2007-2009.

• Assistant Director Abuja Metropolitan Management Agency, 2006-2007.

• Regional Manager Public Sector (Joined as Deputy Manager in 1998 and rose through the system to senior manager Grade) FSB International Bank Plc, 1998-2006.

• Assistant Manager KMC Nigeria limited/First Security Discount

House (FSDH), 1992-1998.

Education

• 2015: Oxford University UK Diploma in Organizational Leadership.

• 2009: University of York [Fellowship on Conflict Resolution

(Senior Chevening Fellow)].

• 2002: Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy.

• 1998: Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Post Graduate Diploma in Management).

• 1989: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (L.LB Hons).

Appointments

• Commissioner, Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commissioner, 2016- 2017.

• Member, Transition Committee Kaduna State, 2016.

• Director Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria, 2014-2015.

• President African Banknote Association, 2013-2014.

• Chairman Board of Directors, Tawada Limited (Subsidiary of Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Plc), November 2012-2014.

• Director Laurman Limited, 2009-2010.

• Director Ryden Oil and Gas, 2009-2010.

• Royal title of MagajinGarinZazzau: 2001- present.​