Ibrahim Damcida

Ibrahim Damcida (1933–2012) was a Nigerian administrator who rose through the administrative cadre of the Northern regional government and then the federal civil service to retire as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance. During the administration of the youthful Yakubu Gowon, he was considered to among a group known as super Permanent Secretaries.

Damcida and many civil service officers were retired in 1975 after a change in government.

Life Damcida was born in Biu, Borno State, the son of Yerima Damcida, from a ruling family of Biu Emirate. His grandfather was Mai of Biu as was his uncle, Ali Gurgur. Alhaji Ibrahim Maina Damcida was a prince of the Biu Emirate, born in Biu Local Government Area, Borno State in 1933. He attended Biu Central Primary School, from 1939 - 1943, Maiduguri Middle School from 1944 – 1946, before proceeding to Kaduna College and the famous Barewa College for secondary school education, which he completed in 1950. Upon completion of his studies at Barewa College, he furthered his education at Westminster College, London, United Kingdom, where he studied Accounting between 1954 – 1956, and then later to Northwestern Polytechnic London, United Kingdom between 1956 – 1958. He began his career as manager in training at John Holt Plc, learning about the business in different branches across the country. The defense ministry with Damcida as secretary approved a plan to import cement up to 2.9 million tonnes a year, contracts were awarded in tranches of 240,000 tonnes per contractor. Sixty nine tranches were awarded, in excess of need but done to ensure delivery of cement on time. The importation of the product resulted in the congestion of the Lagos port and government incurring payment of demurrage charges as a stipulated in the contract signed. This event caught international attention as the cement armada in Lagos.

Private Sector Career Damcida transitioned back into the Private Sector a few years after a successful Civil Service career, through tapping into his network of already established contacts and school relationships. This level of transition, saw him collaborate to build businesses across Banking, Telecoms, Oil and Gas, Manufacturing, Real Estate and General Merchandizing.

During his lifetime, he served on the boards of several corporate and non-profit organization, among which were; LM Ericsson Nigeria Limited, FCMB Group PLC, Kewalrams Nigeria Limited, Chanrai Nigeria Limited, Dynamic Industries Limited, Trevi Foundation Limited, Afprint Nigeria PLC, Enpee Industries Limited, etc.,

He was a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA), among other professional organizations and a Patron of several social and charity organizations.

Family Damcida maintained a very quiet life. He had one (1) wife (Halima) and six (6) children (Mustapha, Ahmad, Aliyu, Ismail, Umar and Habiba).

Up until his death, he was known as a technocrat with a very distinct quality and passion for entrepreneurship, uprightness and objectivity. He was a detribalized Nigerian of high repute and a very selfless individual, always eager to contribute his quota towards the advancement of humanity.