If you’re looking to understand the leadership history of Adamawa State with regard to its governorship over time, this guide provides accurate and educational details. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of Adamawa State governors from its creation in 1991 to the present. The list includes their full names, titles, political parties, and dates of birth.
Also featured are brief bios of the first military governor, first civilian governor, and the current governor of Adamawa State. The office of the governor plays a key role in the development of the state, and this list serves as a historical reference to track governance and leadership milestones over the years.
The Complete List of Adamawa State Governors from 1991 to Date (Past, Former & Present)
| S/N | Full Name | Title | Date of Birth | Term of Office | Political Party |
| 1st | Abubakar Saleh Michika | Civilian | 1 Jan 1944 | 2 Jan 1992 – 17 Nov 1993 | NRC |
| 2nd | Gregory Agboneni | Military | 30 Aug 1948 | 9 Dec 1993 – 14 Sep 1994 | Military Regime |
| 3rd | Yohanna Anteyan Madaki | Military | 31 Dec 1941 | 14 Sep 1994 – 22 Aug 1996 | Military Regime |
| 4th | Joe A. Kalu-Igboama | Military | NA | 22 Aug 1996 – Aug 1998 | Military Regime |
| 5th | Ahmadu G. Hussaini | Military | 26 Oct 1958 | Aug 1998 – 29 May 1999 | Military Regime |
| 6th | Boni Haruna | Executive Gov. | 12 Jun 1957 | 29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007 | PDP |
| 7th | Murtala Hamman-Yero Nyako | Executive Gov. | 27 Aug 1942 | 29 May 2007 – 26 Feb 2008 | PDP |
| 8th | James Shaibu Barka | Acting Gov. | 8 Sep 1961 | 26 Feb 2008 – 29 Apr 2008 | PDP |
| 9th | Murtala Hamman-Yero Nyako | Executive Gov. (2nd term) | 27 Aug 1942 | 29 Apr 2008 – 29 Jan 2012 | PDP |
| 10th | Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri | Acting Gov. | 27 Oct 1967 | 29 Jan 2012 – Mar 2012 | PDP |
| 11th | Murtala Hamman-Yero Nyako | Executive Gov. (3rd term) | 27 Aug 1942 | Mar 2012 – 15 Jul 2014 (impeached) | PDP |
| 12th | Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri | Acting Gov. | 27 Oct 1967 | 15 Jul 2014 – 8 Oct 2014 | PDP |
| 13th | Bala James Ngilari | Executive Gov. | 4 Dec 1972 | 8 Oct 2014 – 29 May 2015 | PDP |
| 14th | Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow | Executive Gov. | 16 Jun 1963 | 29 May 2015 – 29 May 2019 | APC |
| 15th | Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri | Executive Gov. (incumbent) | 27 Oct 1967 | 29 May 2019 – Present | PDP |
ALSO LEARN MORE: About Adamawa State
Who Was the First Governor of Adamawa State?
Upon the creation of Adamawa State in 1991, Air Commodore Abubakar Salihu was appointed as the first military administrator (governor) of the state. He served from August 1991 to January 3, 1992.
Before becoming the governor of Adamawa, he had previously served as the military administrator of Gongola State (1989–1991) prior to its split into Adamawa and Taraba States. Abubakar Salihu, born in 1949, was a senior officer in the Nigerian Air Force. He attended Barewa College, Zaria, and proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he trained as a regular combatant officer.
His military education also included training at the Aircraft Training School in Germany and the Royal Military Centre in Chichester, England. After graduation, he served with the UK Air Force from 1986 to 1990.
He was appointed as the military administrator of Gongola State by General Ibrahim Babangida, and upon the creation of Adamawa State, continued in that role. During his brief tenure, one of his notable achievements was commissioning the Adamawa State Polytechnic.
Who Was the First Civilian Governor of Adamawa?
Following the tenure of Abubakar Salihu, Abubakar Saleh Michika emerged as the first civilian governor of Adamawa State. He was elected under the National Republican Convention (NRC) and assumed office on January 2, 1992, serving until November 1993, when the Nigerian Third Republic was dissolved.
Born in 1941 in Michika, a local government area in present-day Adamawa State, Saleh Michika completed his secondary education at the old Yola Middle School, now known as General Murtala Mohammed College, Yola. He also attended a School of Arabic Studies to further his education.
Before moving into politics, he had a professional background with institutions such as the Bank of West Africa and other private companies, which helped shape his leadership experience and contributed to his electoral success.
During his lifetime, he was married to four wives and had thirty-eight children. He passed away in 2018.
Who Is the Current Governor of Adamawa State?
Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is the current and 15th governor of Adamawa State. He came into office through the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Before becoming the executive governor, Fintiri had been actively involved in state politics for over a decade.
He served as a member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly in 2011, where he rose to the positions of Deputy Speaker and eventually Speaker. These experiences positioned him well to contest for the governorship and guide the administration of the state effectively.
Fintiri was born on October 27, 1967, in Madagali, located in the northern part of present-day Adamawa State. He attended Central Primary School, Gulak in 1975, and completed his secondary education at Government Secondary School, Gulak, and Government Secondary School, Michika, where he graduated in 1986.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Maiduguri (1992) and later earned a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Policy and Strategic Studies from the same university in 2004.
Conclusion
While knowing the current governor of Adamawa State is important, understanding the entire timeline of leadership helps you appreciate the state’s political evolution. Familiarizing yourself with each governor’s name, period in office, political affiliation, and achievements provides valuable historical insight.
The list of Adamawa State governors compiled here is a helpful resource not just for students, but for anyone interested in political history or governance in Nigeria.
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