Yayale Ahmed

Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, (born 15 April 1952) is a Nigerian civil servant and politician who served as Defence Minister of Nigeria.

Early life and education Ahmed was born in the town of Shira in southern Azare, Bauchi State, to Ahmadu, an Islamic scholar and farmer. He attended Shira Primary School, Government Secondary School Azare, and then Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, where he received a bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1976 and a master's degree in Public Administration in 1981. He completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service in 1977.

He has an honorary Doctorate Degree in Law awarded by the University of Abuja and an honorary Doctorate Degree of Letters by Bayero University.

President Umaru Yar'Adua appointed him to the position of Defence Minister on July 26, 2007. He had no military experience prior to the appointment. On September 8, 2008, President Umaru Yar'Adua appointed him as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) replacing Babagana Kingibe. In May 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan replaced Ahmed with Senator Anyi Pius Anyim.

On August 31, 2024, he became chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal Universities (CPCNFU).

Awards and honours He was decorated with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Personal life Ahmed is married with seven children. He speaks Hausa, Fulani, and English. He has 7 children, Khadija, Nabil, Halima, Ibrahim, Usman, Sagir and Nabila.

Titles Ahmed is the Ajiyan Katagum, a Katagum Emirate position, and the Akowojo of Idanre Kingdom, in Ondo State.